SA v SL, 2nd Test, Preview: Puzzled Sri Lanka seek confidence ahead of the series decider

The New Year Test is traditionally the biggest occasion in South African cricket. The venue has already been sold out for the opening day as the Proteas fans anticipate starting off 2017 on with quality cricketing action. Hosts South Africa, will also want to begin the fresh year on a similar note by putting forward a dominating show at their traditional stronghold – Newlands, Cape Town.

The venue has been a fortress for the South African team where they have a very good overall win percentage. Also, after topping up the series victory in Australia last month with a convincing win in Port Elizabeth, South Africa will be favourites to wrap up the three-match series.

A puzzle to solve:

Sri Lanka has their weaknesses exposed. The tourists will be gathering confidence and self-belief while they ponder over the right team combination. The current set up has become a puzzle for Angelo Mathew to solve. What line-up should he prefer? Does any shuffling required in the batting positions? Is an extra all-rounder required?

These are some of the worries which would be currently in the mind of the Lankan management. Getting the better of the Proteas in their own backyard isn’t easy in any conditions. So, therefore, they need to seek answers for these questions as quickly as they can and enter the contest with a tough attitude to deal with the highly disciplined and a talented opposition.

South Africa:

It took just 13.3 overs for South Africa to wiped off half the Lankan batting order on the final day morning to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. This win stretched their ongoing dominance by one more match. It wasn’t an all-out flawless show of cricket but at the end of the day, they had performed well enough to leave for the new year celebration with an easy, convincing win to their name. Ahead of the upcoming match, the Proteas are now sniffing yet another series win.

It seems very certain that the hosts will go into the match with an unchanged team. Talking about the key men; Stephen Cook. The opener, Man of the Match for his innings of 59 and 117, has claimed and justified his spot with two back to back centuries at two vastly different venues and condition. As the experts have been debating for quite some time, he might not look flamboyant and technically perfect, but as long the runs are coming off his blade, Faf and his management should believe in him.

The rest of the top order – Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis –  also looked in scoring touch at Port Elizabeth. Quinton de Kock also generated some excitement as he has been doing quite successfully since his arrival to the international scene.

Kagiso Rabada, Kyle Abbott and Vernon Philander will feel at ease as the pitch is expected to offer more pace and bounce than Port Elizabeth despite facing an extended period of hot, dry weather in Cape Town. Spinner Keshav Maharaj, however, doesn’t need to worry as the track also promises to play a role for the tweakers later in the match.

Sri Lanka:

Captain Angelo Mathews and his men need to be mentally tough when they meet South Africa. Some changes in their setup may also be required as the skipper himself has indicated some changes in the composition of the side. Kusal Perera’s role as an attacking number three batsman would be under question. In fact, his very own presence in the starting XI should be questioned given the fact he has only failed royally every time the skipper has trusted him.

He was out for seven and six in Port Elizabeth, on both occasions playing ill-judged cut shots. Maybe he should trust his defensive game and be more sensible rather than the dependence on his muscles. Slashing at South Africa’s fast bowlers on pitches with pace and bounce isn’t a good idea at all. But, if Mathews decided to go against keeping him for the upcoming match, the experienced Upul Tharanga could fill his place

The biggest positive luckily is something that will help them in the longer run. The young duo of Dhanajaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, These two must look forward to facing the challenge and impress once again.

The fast bowlers were in for a surprise at the previous venue when they were left to do the hard yards as the pitch, which despite having some grass left on it, decided to play neutral for most parts of the match. They opted for three pace bowlers and only one specialist spinner in veteran Rangana Herath.

While Suranga Lakmal bowled well, taking five wickets in the first innings, the other fast bowlers could not threaten the hosts. Dusmantha Chameera was disappointing, taking only one for 153 runs in the match. However, it is highly unlikely that he would be left out. Herath also wasn’t at his best. Sri Lanka may look into the option of picking two spinners, with off-spinner Dilruwan Perera coming into the side. Perera would also strengthen what in Port Elizabeth proved to be a lengthy batting “tail”.

Probable XI:

South Africa:

Stephen Cook, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis (C), Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (WK), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Abbott, Kagiso Rabada

Sri Lanka:

Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews (C), Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Dhanajaya de Silva, Rangana Herath, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep/ Dilruwan Perera

StatAttack:

19 – South Africa has won 19 of the 29 Tests played at Cape Town since 1993, with their only four defeats all having been against Australia.

62 – Kaushal Silva has scored 1,938 runs and needs another 62 to reach the 2,000 runs milestone.