South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2019, 1st Test: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

South Africa and Sri Lanka will lock horns in the first of the two-match Test series from Wednesday. While the visitors are coming off an embarrassing series defeat to Australia, the hosts are riding high after clean-sweeping Pakistan recently. This is another chance for them to continue their brilliant home summer and the visitors have a job on their hands to compete.

Dimuth Karunaratne has been named the captain of Sri Lanka as Dinesh Chandimal has been dropped from the team. Their playing XI isn’t much certain. Angelo Perera might make his debut after his heroics in the first-class cricket. South Africa, on the other hand, might have to take a hard decision of leaving out one of the pacers to accommodate Keshav Maharaj on a slow surface.

Match Details:

The 1st match of the two-match Test series between South Africa and Sri Lanka will be hosted by the Kingsmead in Durban.

The match starts on February 13th, 2019 at 10:30 AM local time (8:30 AM GMT) (2:00 PM IST). The game will be live on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD in India. (Live streaming in Sony Liv).

Last five Test matches:

South Africa: W, W, W, L, L.

Sri Lanka: L, L, L, D, L.

Pitch Condition/Report:

A slow pitch in overall. Spinners can do the damage as the game goes on.

Squads:

South Africa:

Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, HashimAmla, Faf du Plessis(C), Temba Bavuma/Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock (WK), Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander, KagisoRabada, Dale Steyn.

Bench – Wiaan Mulder, Zubayr Hamza.

Sri Lanka:

Dimuth Karunaratne(C), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana/Angelo Perera,Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan.

Bench – Kushal Perera, Oshada Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Mohamed Shiraz, Lasith Embuldeniya

Injury and Availability News:

(Will be added when there is an update)

Power Picks:

Spinners has crucial in the last five completed Test matches at the Kingsmead in Durban. In the three of four test matches between 2011 and 2015, the visiting team’s spinner turned out to be player of the match where they won. Rangana Herath picked 9 wickets in Sri Lanka’s only Test win in South Africa at this venue in 2011. Lakshan Sandakan could turn the tables for Sri Lanka given the South Africa’s struggles to Indian wrist spinners last home season.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain options – Faf du Plessis, Dimuth Karunaratne, Vernon Philander

Vice-Captain options – Kagiso Rabada, Suranga Lakmal, Kusal Mendis

Alternatives – Duanne Olivier, Lakshan Sandakan, Aiden Markram

Suggested Playing XI for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Keeper – Quinton de Kock

Batsmen – Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne, Faf du Plessis (VC), Dean Elgar

All-Rounders – Dhananjaya de Silva, Vernon Philander (C)

Bowlers – Suranga Lakmal, Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier, Kagiso Rabada.

Suggested Playing XI for Grand Leagues/Mega Leagues:

Keeper – Niroshan Dickwella,

Batsmen – Dimuth Karunaratne, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma

All-Rounders – Dhananjaya de Silva, Vernon Philander (VC)

Bowlers – Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Keshav Maharaj (C), Kagiso Rabada.

Expert Advice:

The uncertainty of the Sri Lankan playing XI and its side effects.

Probable Winners:

South Africa are expected to dominate the proceedings and register their first Test win at the venue since 2013.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.

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