South Africa are ready to face Sri Lanka in the first Test of the two-match series in Durban, which will begin from Wednesday. The home side will enter the contest full of confidence as they thrashed Pakistan 3-0 in the three-match series in their last assignment in the five-day format. Therefore, the Proteas will be hoping to put a similar show against low-on-confidence Sri Lanka and register another series sweep to end their home season on a high. In the last five matches between both teams, its South Africa who hold an advantage as they won three, whereas Sri Lanka emerged victorious on two ocassions. Kingsmead in Durban will be used as the venue for the contest which will be hosting its 44th Test match. Highest team score of 658-9 was registered by South Africa while playing against West Indies in 2003, whereas lowest team score of 66 was registered by India.
In the batting department, the team will be relying on the likes of captain Faf du Plessis, veteran right-hander Hashim Amla and in-form Aiden Markram to score bulk of the runs, whereas in the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of pacers Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Duanne Olivier to provide timely breakthroughs. On the other hand, the visitors will come in the series hoping that change of venue will change their fortunes as well after receiving 2-0 thrashing in their last five-day assignment in Australia.
Sri Lanka have already suffered a blow as they
South Africa are ready to face Sri Lanka in the first Test of the two-match series in Durban, which will begin from Wednesday. The home side will enter the contest full of confidence as they thrashed Pakistan 3-0 in the three-match series in their last assignment in the five-day format. Therefore, the Proteas will be hoping to put a similar show against low-on-confidence Sri Lanka and register another series sweep to end their home season on a high. In the last five matches between both teams, its South Africa who hold an advantage as they won three, whereas Sri Lanka emerged victorious on two ocassions. Kingsmead in Durban will be used as the venue for the contest which will be hosting its 44th Test match. Highest team score of 658-9 was registered by South Africa while playing against West Indies in 2003, whereas lowest team score of 66 was registered by India.
In the batting department, the team will be relying on the likes of captain Faf du Plessis, veteran right-hander Hashim Amla and in-form Aiden Markram to score bulk of the runs, whereas in the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of pacers Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Duanne Olivier to provide timely breakthroughs. On the other hand, the visitors will come in the series hoping that change of venue will change their fortunes as well after receiving 2-0 thrashing in their last five-day assignment in Australia.
Sri Lanka have already suffered a blow as they will be without their regular captain and experienced batsman Dinesh Chandimal, who will miss the series after being surprisingly dropped due to poor form. In his absence, the team will be relying on the likes of Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne and Niroshan Dickwella to score bulk of the runs, whereas in the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of Suranga Lakmal and Kasun Rajitha to provide timely breakthroughs.
Key Players:
Aiden Markram – 9 Cr
First in the list of key players features South Africa's Aiden Markram. The right-hander had a decent time with the bat in hand in the series against Pakistan where he registered two scores of 90 plus and stamped his authority on the match. Therefore, Markram, who is valued at 9 Cr, can prove to be an asset for your team in the first Test.
Duanne Olivier – 8.5 Cr
Second in the list of key players features South Africa's Duanne Olivier. The right-arm pacer had an outstanding time with the ball in hand in the series against Pakistan where he was nominated as the player of the series after finishing with most wickets in the three Tests. Therefore, Olivier, who is valued at 8.5 Cr, is the player to have in your team.
Dimuth Karunaratne – 9.5 Cr
Last in the list of key players features Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne. The 30-year-old will be captaining the side for the first time and will be hoping to lead from the front and help the team in posting something competitive on the board. Karunaratne, who is valued at 9.5 Cr, has represented Sri Lanka in 58 Tests, where he has scored 3,988 runs at an average of 36.58, which included eight centuries and 22 fifties.
