proteastest 150Sri Lanka pulled off an incredible surprise victory in the first test match last week and they need to avoid defeat to clinch a series win when the teams meet in the second test which gets underway in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.

 

 

 

 

The Proteas were trading in the region of 1 / 7 to win the first test in Durban but Sri Lanka defied all the odds and especially on Day 4 which provided a most thrilling climax.

Batting first South Africa hit big trouble early doors with the top 3 all gone with just 17 runs on the scoreboard. Quinton de Kock subsequently top scored with 80 and Bavuma (47) and Faf du Plessis (35) contributed to their first innings total of 235 all out. Fernando took 4 of the South African wickets.

In the reply Kusal Perera top scored for Sri Lanka with 51 and that would be a name the Proteas would not forget. Dale Steyn took 4 wickets as the visitors were bowled out for 191 and South Africa had a far from commending first innings lead.

Faf du Plessis (90) and de Kock (55) helped the Proteas make 259 in their second knock and Embuldeniya claimed 5 of the wickets and Fernando another 4 to leave a victory target of just over 300.

At 110/5 in the final innings it looked highly unlikely but Kusal Perera was at the crease and in no mood to surrender. In an amazing knock of 153 not out Perera got Sri Lanka over the line including a 78 run 10th wicket partnership with Fernando. The shot selection was perfection and Sri Lanka were in dreamland as we head to PE for the second and final test.

 

This was how the teams lined up for the first test at Kingsmead

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn

Sri Lanka:  Dimuth Karunaratne (Capt), Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Oshada Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lasith Embuldeniya

 

The Venue, St. Georges Park, Port Elizabeth

Whilst the Proteas record at Kingsmead is miserable, St. Georges is vastly different with 5 wins, no defeats and 1 draw over the last decade.

Australia were the last visitors here just under 12 months ago and South Africa won by 6 wickets, positing scores of 382 and 102/4 either side of Australia’s 243 and 239. Rabada took a total of 11 wickets in that match.

Sri Lanka were here for the Boxing Day test of 2016 and the Proteas won it by 206 runs.

Weather forecast

 

The Betting, WSB: Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R10,000 here

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Note prices quoted are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.

 

Verdict:

The odds suggest the Proteas will square the series but our betting interest comes in the first innings top home bat market. The top order haven’t fired consistently enough for me and Faf du Plessis is someone who usually gives us a run for our money.

 

Bets: Top Home Batsman - 1st Innings, Faf du Plessis at 4/1 BET HERE

 

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