South Africa return to Test cricket on Boxing Day when they host a Sri Lanka side who are also playing their first long format match since the initial lockdown for the Covid-19 pandemic. Much has been made about the state of the health of the country going into this series but this Centurion match is set to start on time.
There are only two matches in the series so these two teams will begin the first game at Centurion knowing that if the can come out on top they will secure an immediate share of the spoils, which should be a pretty big incentive here.
South Africa
We’ve seen South Africa in action since the lockdown but it has only been in the limited overs form of the game. We now get to see them in the longer format of the sport which traditionally has been one of their strongest departments but there is a sense that under a new captain they are something of a side in transition so it will be interesting to see just how strong they are here and how much work they have to do.
The one thing which is usually reliable with the South Africans in any format of the game but especially this one so all eyes will be on that department of their side to see if that remains the case. There are always a few issues when it comes to the batting but actually in this series when you look down their order that looks the strongest area of their game on paper. You would think there would be something in the wicket so it will be interesting to see if the batting can live up to the billing.
Sri Lanka
Usually Sri Lanka would head to South Africa for a Test series with expectations on the low side but that isn’t the case this year because they won their last series on these shores just last year. Since then they have recruited a South African to coach the side in Mickey Arthur so in theory they should be better prepared for the challenge they are going to face. The big difference between last year and this is that the series is taking place on South African strongholds.
If Sri Lanka are going to have any chance in this series then they will need to bowl well. There is a good chance that this series will be a low scoring one so if Sri Lanka can bowl well through their seamers then they won’t be without a chance. A low scoring series will also take the pressure of their batsmen which is never a bad thing, because understandably that unit often struggles in these sorts of conditions.
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Team News
South Africa will be without Kagiso Rabada for the captaincy debut of Quinton de Kock. That leaves Amrich Nortje to lead the attack with Glenton Stuurman potentially being lined up for his debut in the bowling department. Lungi Ngidi will need to pass a fitness test.
There is no Angelo Mathews for Sri Lanka on this tour which could mean that Dasun Shanaka gets the spot given to the all-rounders. There looks to be a strong seam department for Sri Lanka who will choose between Suranga Lakmal and Kasun Rajitha for the final place in it.
Betting
Aiden Markram probably doesn’t have the record he would like on his home ground in Test cricket but he does have a 90 here against India in the past and although his record against Sri Lanka isn’t the best either I’m expecting him to score pretty well from the outset in this series. I say that because he has been on absolute fire on this ground for his state side Titans this summer where runs have come regularly and in big numbers.
He has had four innings on this ground against the red ball this season and he has run up scores of 149, 121, 113 and 75 so he must be seeing the ball like an absolute beach ball which bodes well for him going into this match. Sri Lanka haven’t had a warm up match for this series so it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise in the world if there are a number of looseners up front from the bowlers and when you put that together with his fine recent form I think the South African opener can pass 29.5 runs in the first innings.
Tips
WON – Back A.Markram – Over 29.5 first innings runs for a 3/10 stake at 1.83 with Coral
Back him here:
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