Huge image: Can Sri Lanka keep away from one other collapse?
The headline is that each groups are in with a shot at making the World Take a look at Championship last, however neither have secured a spot. Unhelpfully for South Africa, the WTC factors system does not reward hefty profitable margins, so though they crushed Sri Lanka by 233 runs in Durban, it nonetheless solely goes down as a easy win.
Nonetheless, they’ve arrived in Gqeberha filled with confidence. One other win right here, and their path to that last clears up considerably. A win for Sri Lanka, in the meantime, would imply they’ve an opportunity of qualifying for the ultimate with out having to rely on different outcomes. (They’d additionally must win the matches towards Australia 2-0.)
Their first aim, nonetheless, is to be extra aggressive than they have been in Durban. Their batters, particularly, can not enable one other collapse to happen. Varied members of the batting group have spoken in regards to the problem of dealing with South Africa’s tall quicks, on tracks that provide extra bounce than they’re used to at house. These coastal venues aren’t as bouncy as they are typically within the Highveld, as an example, however have clearly offered extra of a problem than Sri Lanka anticipated. They’re going to additionally hope that given the wind and sunshine forecast for Gqeberha for the subsequent few days, the floor will dry out and convey spinners extra meaningfully into the sport.
Kind information
South Africa: WWWWD (final 5 Exams, most up-to-date first)
Sri Lanka: LWWWL
Within the highlight: Tristan Stubbs and Lahiru Kumara
Crew information
South Africa could go along with Dane Paterson and 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka to fill out their assault, although spin-bowling allrounder Senuran Muthusamy can be within the dialog.
South Africa (possible): 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Tony de Zorzi, 3 Tristan Stubbs, 4 Temba Bavuma (capt), 5 David Bedingham, 6 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Dane Paterson, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kwena Maphaka, 11 Kagiso Rabada
Sri Lanka even have main selections to make round their assault. Will they do what they did in Lord’s this yr, and strap 4 quick bowlers to the plow? It is a particular chance, given Milan Rathnayake may also bat a bit. Be careful for potential adjustments increased up within the batting order too.
Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Dimuth Karuanaratne, 2 Pathum Nissanka, 3 Dinesh Chandimal, 4 Angelo Mathews, 5 Kamindu Mendis, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), 7 Kusal Mendis (wk), 8 Milan Rathnayake, 9 Vishwa Fernando, 10 Asitha Fernando, 11 Lahiru Kumara
Pitch and circumstances
The day earlier than the match, the enjoying floor was coated with a hessian to forestall an excessive amount of moisture loss because the drying wind was anticipated to select up within the afternoon. There remained important grass on the floor for a similar motive. The westerly wind is forecast for many of the match, which suggests batting first and benefiting from deteriorating circumstances afterward. No rain is forecast for the 5 days, for now.
Stats and trivia
- If Kumara takes three wickets in Gqeberha, his wicket-tally will go previous these of Dilhara Fernando (100) and Lasith Malinga (101), and he’ll turn out to be the third-highest wicket-taker in Sri Lanka’s seam-bowling historical past.
- Sri Lanka misplaced their first match in Gqeberha in 2016, taking place by 206 runs. However they gained their most up-to-date recreation on the venue, by eight wickets in 2019.
- Stubbs has been glorious at getting begins up to now in his profession, having obtained to twenty in 9 of his 11 innings.
Andrew Fidel Fernando is a senior author at ESPNcricinfo. @afidelf
