The Proteas return to test match action on Boxing Day in Centurion for the first of two test matches against Sri Lanka and we take a look at the squads, form and the all important betting.
Let's start with a look at the squads (note, correct at the time of writing but follow the media for any late changes to the Proteas squad)
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Sarel Erwee, Anrich Nortje, Glenton Stuurman, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreynne, Migael Pretorius, Raynard van Tonder, Lutho Sipamla, Dwaine Pretorius
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Dhananjaya De Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Embuldeniya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka, Santhush Gunathilake, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
Recent Test Match Form
South Africa haven't played test match cricket since England toured over Christmas and New Year 12 months ago. The Proteas won the first match of that series (at Centurion) but lost the next 3 to go down 3-1. That victory for the Proteas is their only win in the last 9 test matches
Sri Lanka have seen very little test cricket in 2020. In January they toured Zimbabwe and won the first test by 10 wickets with the second test drawn. In December 2019 they lost a 2 match series in Pakistan (1-0).
Recent Head to Head
The last time Sri Lanka toured South Africa came as recently as February 2019 and they pulled off a historic 2-0 series win, edging a thrilling contest in Durban by 1 wicket and following up in the second match in Port Elizabeth by 8 wickets.
The Durban test was famous for a Kusal Perera's unbeaten 153 which included a 10th wicket partnership with Vishwa Fernando to get SL the last 78 runs they needed for victory.
Supersport Park, Centurion
Over the last 10 years the Proteas have won 8 and lost 1 of 9 test matches played at Centurion and the only defeat came against Australia back in 2014.
Weather Forecast – Centurion
The Betting, 1st Test Match Result
South Africa 4/11
Draw 5/1
Sri Lanka 9/2
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict:
The lack of test match cricket for both these teams this year doesn't help matters when it comes to making betting selections although I would'nt be surprised if Sri Lanka were more competitive than the odds at the time of writing suggest.
I'll keep the picks limited and in the first case speculative with Van Der Dussen taken to top score for the Proteas in their first innings. I take the view Van Der Dussen will prove to be a more than useful cricketer in all formats and this series is a good opportunity to make runs. His likely position in the batting order probably reflects the odds of reward but for a small stake I won't get hurt.
Kusal Perera will have his followers for SL after his heroics on the 2019 tour but if the visitors batting line up is as I suspect then my preference is for Kusal Mendis
Bets: 1st innings top SA bat Van Der Dussen at 6/1
1st innings top SL bat Kusal Mendis at 4/1
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