South Africa vs Sri Lanka Second Test Tips - Visitors need a big bounce back
04 Dec 2024
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South Africa vs Sri Lanka First Test Tips - Islanders could enjoy Durban's spin
- South Africa vs Sri Lanka First Test predictions to be played in Durban from Wednesday, November 27
- South Africa lost 7 of their last 10 Tests at this venue
- Sri Lanka won 4 of their last 6 Tests against South Africa
Can Sri Lanka surprise their hosts in the first Test? (Getty Images)
South Africa vs Sri Lanka First Test
India’s win over Australia in the first Test down under got them back on top of the World Test Championship table, but action shifts to Africa this week as South Africa and Sri Lanka resume their battle for supremacy. Both teams still have hopes of qualifying for the final, which adds more context to these two Tests. The first match will be played at the Kingsmead ground in Durban from Wednesday, starting at 1 p.m. IST.
- South Africa vs Sri Lanka First Test
- Head to Head
- South Africa Form
- South Africa Team News
- Sri Lanka Form
- Sri Lanka Team News
- South Africa vs Sri Lanka First Test FAQs
Traditionally, the Proteas have bossed the Islanders, but this hasn’t been a venue that was kind to them. They have even struggled in recent times against Sri Lanka and it won’t be a surprise if that’s the case again here. I am backing a surprise result here for Sri Lanka.
- South Africa lost 7 of their last ten matches at this venue (Tests)
- Sri Lanka won 4 of their last 6 matches against South Africa (Tests)
- Sri Lanka won 2 of their last 4 away matches against South Africa (Tests)
Head to Head
There have been 31 Tests between these two nations, with nine wins for Sri Lanka, 16 wins for South Africa, and six draws. The last time these sides played was in 2020-21, when South Africa won 2-0.
Interestingly, when the teams last met at this venue in February 2019, it was Sri Lanka who emerged victorious by one wicket, with Kusal Perera scoring a sensational match-winning 153* in the fourth innings.
South Africa Form
South Africa is fifth in the WTC standings with 54.1 percentage points. They have four matches left, all at home, two each against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
The Proteas need to win at least three matches to have any chances of qualifying for the final, but playing at home gives them a slight advantage.
Can they make it count? Temba Bavuma, Marco Jansen, and Gerald Coetzee come back into the side as they look to stay in the hunt for a place in the final. Can they break their Durban hoodo, though?
South Africa Team News
Bavuma is set to come back into the playing XI, with Ryan Rickelton likely to give way. Marco Jansen and Coetzee are also likely to slot back in the XI, although spin conditions could warrant a place for Muthusamy.
Sri Lanka Form
Sri Lanka is third in the standings with 55.56 percentage points and has an equally good chance as South Africa to qualify for the final. They have four matches remaining in this cycle, with two home games against Australia after this series.
The Islanders need to win all four to be sure of their place in the final, while three wins is enough if things work their way elsewhere. The visitors are coming off a 2-0 win over New Zealand at home, and things are looking up under Sanath Jayasuriya’s coaching.
Lasith Embuldeniya comes back into the team, while batter Oshada Fernando is also recalled.
Sri Lanka Team News
With the pitch likely to be spin-friendly, don’t be surprised if the visitors go with a couple of spinners in their ranks.
South Africa vs Sri Lanka First Test FAQs
Where can I watch the South Africa vs Sri Lanka First Test live stream?
Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the South Africa vs Sri Lanka First Test live stream.
What time does South Africa vs Sri Lanka First Test start?
This South Africa vs Sri Lanka First Test match is being played at the Kingsmead in Durban starting at 1:00 p.m. IST on Wednesday, November 27.
Verdict
Durban hasn’t been South Africa’s favorite venue in recent times, and there’s enough reason to think Sri Lanka will enjoy playing here. The conditions will suit their spinners, and they could make a case for a win here. I am backing them to win against the odds here.
Sri Lanka to win
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