The next international series to begin is the three match Test series between South Africa and Sri Lanka which gets underway on Boxing Day. South Africa will be looking to build up a head of steam with some big series to come in 2017 while Sri Lanka will be out to show they can perform away from Asia.
Schedule
1st Test: Dec 26-30 at Port Elizabeth
2nd Test: Jan 2-6 at Cape Town
3rd Test: Jan 12-16 at Johannesburg
South Africa
If South Africa needed a confident boost to take in to this series they certainly had it with their win over Australia recently. They dominated that series and did so without AB de Villiers and largely without Dale Steyn too which was all the more impressive and they will be expected to win this series with plenty to spare.
That means South Africa now have back to back series wins after they had gone three series without a win so things are starting to go in the right direction for the Proteas with Faf du Plessis’ captaincy very much a reason for that. He embarks on his first series as permanent captain after AB de Villiers recently handed the role to him.
Sri Lanka
The tourists have also won their last two series having been successful at home against Australia and then picked up an easy win against Zimbabwe more recently. They didn’t lose a single match in those series so they should have gained a lot of confidence from that. This represents a much stiffer task though.
Sri Lanka have a batting line up that are starting to deliver the goods at this level having gone ages relying so much on Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena. The acid test is whether they can produce in these conditions but there was some positive signs from the warm up match which they can take into the series.
Head to Head
These two sides have played nine previous Test series with South Africa having the upper hand. They have six series wins to Sri Lanka’s two with both of Sri Lanka’s wins coming in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka have only ever won one Test in South Africa which highlights the size of their task here.
Betting
You would think South Africa will win this 3-0 and I wouldn’t put anyone off the even money on that happening but with plenty of cricket coming up in 2017 I wouldn’t be surprised if a number of star players get rested for a third game should the series be won so I’m reluctant to get involved in that.
I am going to go at one bet for the series though and that is on Nuwan Pradeep to be the leading bowler in the series for Sri Lanka. He has been bowling nicely in recent times and he took three wickets in the warm up match for this series. South Africa should be able to contain Rangana Herath enough for this to go to a seamer and Pradeep looks a fair chance if he stays fit.
Tips
Back N.Pradeep Top Sri Lanka Series Bowler for a 2/10 stake at 6.00 with Betfred
Back him here:
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