All to play for in Proteas v Sri Lanka tests

At any other time in South Africa’s modern era test history their two test matches against Sri Lanka might have been regarded as a luke-warm, mostly insignificant bilateral series, something to keep the broadcasters and fans content heading towards the holidays but not a great drawcard.

But this is not ‘any other time.’ There is the very real prospect of qualifying for the final of the World Test Championship to be played at Lord’s in June next year and with it the possibility that the five-day game might enjoy a revival and once again be treated with the respect it commands.

“It is massive for us,” admitted head coach Shukri Conrad. “We have been talking for the longest time about how we like to play more tests, and not just have two-test series. The possibility of reaching the final is a huge incentive, but we are not getting ahead of ourselves. Sri Lanka are also in the running for the final, they are in red hot form and we know how hard they will be to beat,” Conrad said.

The Proteas welcome back captain Temba Bavuma after missing the 2-0 series win in Bangladesh last month with injury and Conrad was confident that his lack of match practise would not be a problem. Bavuma has not played competitively since August.

“We’re going to simulate match situations during our pre-series camp," Conrad said. “Whatever guys achieve and gain playing a four-day match, we feel we can do the same in two days in our camp. You can play a four-day game and a guy gets a first-baller. Then what? Or the opposition get rolled and a bowler doesn't get in the spells he wanted.”

Competitive match practise was regarded as essential to prepare for test cricket but that notion has fallen out of favour in recent years and Conrad is not alone among international coaches in preferring intensive training rather than matches. Indeed, the Proteas beat Bangladesh on the back of just four training days in the country.

Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj will once again lead the bowling attack with fast bowlers Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee returning to the squad and Maharaj’s Dolphins teammate, Senuran Muthusamy, backing him up in the spin department.

Conrad is correct about the tourists who are, indeed, enjoying a rich vein of form under the tutelage of former captain and dashing batsman, Sanath Jayasuriya. Their selection of a 17-man squad is a reflection of the number of players in form and their determination to cover all bases rather than confusion about the composition of their best XI.

They are traditionally strong with spin and have recalled Lasith Embuldeniya to supplement Prabath Jayasuriya should they encounter pitches likely to encourage the slower bowlers. But they are also well-stocked with fast bowlers, two of whom have happy memories of their last visits to Durban and Gqeberha.

Kasun Rajitha was part of the squad which recorded a famous 2-0 series win at the same venues in 2019 collecting nine wickets in the two matches behind the 12 with which fellow seamer Vishwa Fernando heavily influenced the result.

The tourists may have produced a tactical masterstroke in hiring former Proteas batsman, Neil McKenzie, to assist with their preparation and they sent an advance party of batsmen to prepare for a full 12 days ahead of the first test:

“McKenzie will bring in vital, in-depth insights about the South African conditions to help Sri Lankan players adapt to the challenge,” said Ashley De Silva, Sri Lanka Cricket’s CEO. Captain Dhananjaya De Silva was among the group working with McKenzie whick also included seasoned opener Dimuth Karunaratne, veterans Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal along with Lahiru Kumara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Milan Rathnayake, Kasun Rajitha and Embuldeniya.

Should South Africa win 2-0 they will need one more victory from the two festive season tests against Pakistan to reach the Lord’s showpiece. Should the tourists emulate their last, famous win, they would need just one win from their final two tests against Australia, at home, in the New Year, to reach the final. It really is ‘all to play for.’

1st test:

Nov 27 – Dec 1, Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban

Dec 5 – 9, Dafabet St.George’s Park, Gqeberha

South Africa Squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Devid Bedingham, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson.

Sri Lanka Squad: Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Matthews, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishn Peiris, Lasith Embuldeniya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha.