South Africa, after an innings victory over Sri Lanka in the first test will once again lock horns with the visitors at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg for the 2nd and final match of the 2-match series.
The win for South Africa helped them in further increasing the gap between them and the 7th placed Pakistan. Though they are still below the visitors- Sri Lanka and a white-wash here could see Quinton de Kock go past Sri Lanka in the ICC Test rankings. The rankings have become of great interest for the fans as well as the players in recent times due to the ongoing Test championship.
The first test match was one-way traffic from the word go. The visitors after winning the toss, elected to bat first which did seem a good decision and they further did justice by scoring 396 runs. The hosts though have different ideas as they with the help of their former skipper Faf du Plessis went on to notch up 621 runs in the first innings, going past the Lankans score by 225 runs.
The batting rampage was headed by Faf du Plessis who was unfortunately dismissed on 199, missing his maiden double century by 1 run. The moment was heart-breaking for the fans and his teammates but an innings win would have eased the pain.
Sri Lanka is capable of making a comeback but the barrage of injuries would be a huge concern for them. Can the Dimuth Karunaratne and Co. evade a white-wash and maintain their 5th spot in the table? Will the proteas white-wash the depleted Lankans?
Match Toss Time: 09:30 Local (13:00 IST)
Match Start Time: 10:00 Local (13:30 IST)
Match Venue: The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Weather Report
The conditions do not seem in favor of cricket as except for the first day of the match, the remaining days are expected to be interrupted due to rain. The precipitation is forecasted to be around the 40 percent mark from Day 2 and that would mean we could have a number of interruptions.
The temperature is expected to be hovering in the 22-16 degree range and the humidity at the peak is expected to reach the 53 percent mark.
Pitch
One of the very famous venues for cricket, Johannesburg has given us a number of unforgettable memories. The pitch is a bit in favor of the batsmen but the overcast and rainy conditions are expected to make it an even contest between the bat and ball. The previous records suggest that the team batting first has a better success rate at this venue.
Team News
The visitors have a long list of injuries in their depleted squad. Kasun Rajitha, de Silva, Lahiru Kumara have come as a big blow to their side. Suranga Lakmal damaged his hamstring ahead of the first test and has still not recovered.
Lahiru Thirimanne may make a comeback and Minod Bhanuka who made heads turn in the Lanka Premier League will make his test debut. Vishwa Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera will have to shoulder the responsibility with the ball. Asitha Fernando may also make his debut.
The proteas seem in elite touch and they would not be looking to make changes after the thumping innings victory. Their key pacer Kagiso Rabada is still recovering and is very unlikely to make it to the playing Xl. Raynard van Tonder, Glenton Stuurman, and Migael Pretorius have been released from the squad due to injuries.
Probable Playing Xl
South Africa (RSA): Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock (c &wk), Temba Bavuma, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi
Sri Lanka (SL): Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dasun Shanaka, Asitha Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera/Lasith Embuldeniya
RSA vs SL Fantasy Team
Quinton de Kock, Niroshan Dickwella, Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis, Dimuth Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Vishwa Fernando
Captain Picks: Faf du Plessis (RSA), Dean Elgar (RSA)
Vice-captain Picks: Wanindu Hasaranga (SL), Lutho Sipamla (RSA)
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