After a wide margin win in the opening match the Proteas are short price favourites to wrap up the series against Sri Lanka as the teams prepare for the second test which gets underway in Johannesburg on Sunday.
The first test was staged at Centruion and South Africa won it by an innings and 45 runs.
Sri Lanka started well, posting 396 in their first innings with Chandimal (85), Dhananjaya de Silva (79) and Shanaka (66 not out) the main contributors in the middle to lower order. Sipamla with figures of 4/76 was the top SA bowler.
In reply Elgar (95) and Markram (68) shared an opening stand of 141 before Man of the Match Faf du Plessis made 199. There were also runs for Bavuma (71) and Maharaj (73) in a mammoth total of 621.
With plenty of time remaining Sri Lanka were always going to be up against it and their second innings wickets were shared around as they were all out for 180 (Kusal Perera (64).
This was how the teams lined up at Centurion.
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock (c & wk), Temba Bavuma, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara
On the team news front Rabada may possibly return for the Proteas. Sri Lanka had 5 walking wounded at one in the first test and De Silva, Kumara and Rajitha are reportedly out of the mix for this final match of the series.
The Wanderers, Johannesburg
Over the last 10 years the Proteas have won 4, lost 4 and drawn 1 of 9 test matches played at The Wanderers.
In January 2020 South Africa lost to England by 191 runs whilst Sri Lanka's last test match appearance here came in 2017 when the Proteas won by an innings and 117 runs.
Weather Forecast – Johannesburg
The Betting, 2nd Test Match Result
South Africa 1 / 4
Draw 11/2
Sri Lanka 8/1
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict:
Any combination of the result from the first match, Sri Lanka's injury woes and the possible return of Rabada suggest another comfortable win for the Proteas.
I'll look to the top 1st innings bat market for a bet and Sunbet offer an option which combines players from both sides. I would suggest we are looking for a top order batsman from the home team and Aiden Markram gets the vote.
Bets:Top Batsman 1st Innings (both sides) Markram at 11/2
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