Written by Rick John Henry for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Sri Lanka vs South Africa | Wednesday 16 July – Sunday 20 July | Galle | 06:30
Unexpectedly, the Proteas secured the ODI series rather comfortably. It comes as their first in Sri Lanka and served to hand the hosts their first series loss of the year. However, now attention turns from World Cup 2015 tinkering to cricket with a more immediately tangible reward. The two-match Test series begins in Galle, with an overall win for the South Africans placing them back atop the ICC Test rankings. It’s a spot that few would argue belongs to the Proteas, their prolonged form away from home the envy of cricket sides across the world. However, in order to ascend the Proteas must return to the scene of their last series loss away from home: Sri Lanka 2006. Memories will not be fond. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene’s world record 624-run partnership in Colombo must still be a source of pain and embarrassment for the Proteas involved on those long two days.
To Win
Sri Lanka 22/10
Draw 1/1
South Africa 11/4
Sri Lanka
Angelo Mathews will lead out a Sri Lankan side intent on replicating the form that has kept them at the forefront of world cricket this year. It has been a fantastic year for Sri Lankan cricket, securing the Asia Cup and World T20 while remaining unbeaten in a series until the Proteas arrived in their backyard. Mathews bemoaned his side for playing “awful cricket” to lose the series, but in truth it was simply an inability to capitalise on the chances that came their way that led to their demise. The fielding in particular was lacklustre; in the third ODI the hosts dropped Quinton de Kock on 38 and missed a stumping when he was on 71. He went on to make 128. They had gifted Hashim Amla a century in the first ODI and failed to pouch AB de Villiers before he went on to make 75. Sri Lanka lost both of those matches and subsequently the series.
Mathews himself has had a very profitable 2014, he has 761 runs in Test matches this year at an average of almost 85.00. The only player with more this year is teammate and talisman, Kumar Sangakkara. He’s racked up 991 runs at 90.00 and although Sri Lanka have played more Tests than any other nation, the numbers are still staggering. In response to the poor form of opener Dimuth Karunaratne – he failed to pass fifty in England and has only two half-centuries in seventeen innings – Upul Tharanga has been recalled to play his first Test in over six years. Kaushal Silva will partner him at the top of the order. With Prasanna Jayawardene still nursing a broken finger, Vithanage finds a place as batting cover while Dinesh Chandimal is likely to take the gloves. Nuwan Pradeep is also sidelined with injury while fast bowler Dhammika Prasad is retained following his strong showing in England. Sri Lanka’s pace battery for the series includes Lakmal, Prasad, Welegedara and Eranga, a strong group that sees Nuwan Kulasekara dropped from the side. Interestingly, Shaminda Eranga has 28 wickets in Tests in 2014, the same number as Mitchell Johnson. He will be looking to extend his dream run of form with ball and, as usual, Rangana Herath will threaten as the frontline spinner.
South Africa
In pursuit of the number one ranking in Test matches, relinquished at the hands of a rampant Australia, the Proteas must win the series. Considering their poor record in Sri Lanka and a lack of players experienced in the conditions for the five-day format, it will not be an easy task. However, climbing back to the top of the world rankings should not be simple and a series victory would fully deserve the prize that comes attached. The absence of stalwarts in Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis is but one of many challenges South Africa will face in their quest for glory. It may be the greatest. When South Africa takes to the field in Galle, it will be the square jaw, broad shoulders and fluctuating waistline of Smith traded for the lithe, bearded persona that is Hashim Amla. While Amla’s form since being granted the Test captaincy is spectacular, he has yet to be burdened with the role of leader. In Sri Lanka, it will be a baptism of fire for the Peaceful Warrior.
South Africa already began an era post-Kallis against Australia and Faf du Plessis has been trusted with the coveted number four role. He only recorded two half-centuries in that series but has shown a penchant for batting for long periods of time in the past. Dean Elgar is likely to replace Smith and open the batting with Alviro Petersen, but both do not inspire the same type of confidence that Smith brought to the crease. Elgar batted admirably at the top of the order for 83 in the second Test against Australia. He was subsequently installed at number three following that gutsy display, an experiment which flopped. There will be a lot of pressure on both openers to keep their places, though only time will tell whether it can develop into a fruitful future partnership. Indeed, only time can replace the presence that Graeme Smith brought to the opening stand, irrespective of who fills his boots. Alviro Petersen in particular will feel he is playing for his place, after being thoroughly worked over by Mohammed Irfan on his last visit to Asia.
With Imran Tahir, South Africa will feel that they stand a better chance of securing twenty wickets than in 2006. An attacking spinner who is particularly devastating when bowling to tail-enders, he’ll be backed up with the off-spin of JP Duminy. The usual frontline seamers Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel will attempt to exact as much assistance from the new ball as possible. In addition, Steyn is a fantastic exponent of reverse swing and will be difficult to deal with as the ball loses its shine. The Proteas do have a conundrum when it comes to playing an extra batsman or bowler, exacerbated by a hamstring strain to AB de Villiers. If he is not fit to keep, de Kock should get the nod to don the gloves and bat in the lower-middle order. Otherwise, there is the option of playing batsman Stiaan van Zyl or Dane Piedt, a lower-order all-rounder who bowls some neat spin. If the pitches turn up dusty, Piedt may find himself a place.
Venue
Previously a Sri Lankan stronghold based on the exploits on Muttiah Muralitharan, a rebuild was necessary after a terrible tsunami destroyed the ground in 2006. It continues to be a happy hunting ground for Sri Lanka, who have only lost three Test matches in Galle since the year 2000. South Africa are yet to win a Test at the ground. It is spin friendly but generally a great place to bat on the opening days. Rangana Herath has 48 wickets at the ground and will be looking to add to that healthy tally. There is rain predicted throughout the Test, but whether it will have an effect on the result remains to be seen.
BEST: Top Sri Lankan 1st Innings Batsman, Mahela Jayawardene 33/10
Prided as the Prince of Galle, Sri Lanka’s classy stalwart has battled for significant runs of late. Having said that, he has two double centuries at the ground as well as three more scores past 150. Being back at a setting that inspires so many good memories, have a punt on Jayawardene to be the pick of the Sri Lankan batsmen.
VERDICT: Draw 1/1
There’s not too much value in the draw but judging by weather predictions, coupled with the potential to bat long innings at the ground and the Proteas’ penchant for saving Tests, it looks the best bet. While I find it unlikely that the Proteas will dominate, they should give a good account of themselves and not succumb as easily as they did in 2006. It leaves them with much work to do for the next trip to Colombo, but who said touring Sri Lanka was easy?
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