Third Test Preview: SA v Sri Lanka
South Africa have been in imperious form in the series so far with Sri Lanka struggling to come to terms with the seam friendly conditions and that shouldn’t change at the Wanderers.
If Sri Lanka’s batsman can exhibit more patience and cope with the extra bounce and pace in the wicket there will be runs on offer but they have shown little to suggest they will come good.
The Proteas biggest enemy could be the mood in the camp having learned that one of the heroes of the tour down under and this series Kyle Abbott would be lost to South African cricket and complacency having taken an unbeatable 2-0 lead.
Wayne Parnell looks set to make his return to Test cricket having scored a hundred and taken a four wicket haul as the Cobras notched their first Sunfoil Series win of the campaign against the Lions.
Theunis de Bruyn and Duanne Olivier remain in the squad but have also been named in the Knights group for their Sunfoil Series clash with the Dolphins in Kimberley.
Sri Lanka could bring in Dushmantha Chameera for Nuwan Pradeep who pulled up during the second Test but it seems they will otherwise opt for continuity as they serach for consistency.
Key Men
Much like the last Test the openers will be key and with Stephen Cook playing his first Test at the ground where he has plied his trade in domestic cricket for 17 years much will be expected of him.
With Kyle Abbott gone Vernon Philander will need to lead the Proteas attack but the pitch will certainly play to Kagiso Rabada’s strengths.
Kaushal Silva and Dimuth Karunaratne need to do better for Sri Lanka and protect their vulnerable middle order for longer. Skipper Angelo Mathews and deputy Dinesh Chandimal will also need to set a better example to their charges with the bat and in the field.
Last five head-to-head results
2016 Second Test: South Africa won by 282 Runs at Newlands
2016 First Test: South Africa won by 206 runs at St George’s Park
2014 Second Test: Drawn in Colombo
2014 First Test: South Africa won by 153 runs in Galle
2012 Third Test: South Africa won by ten wickets in Cape Town
Squads
Proteas Test squad: Faf du Plessis (capt), Duanne Olivier, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Stephen Cook, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Wayne Parnell, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.
Sri Lanka squad: Angelo Mathews (capt.), Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Dhananjaya de Silva, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Kumara, Vikum Sanjaya, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath
Details
Dates: 12–16 January
Morning session: 10:00-12:00 (08:00-10:00 GMT)
Afternoon session: 12:40-14:40 (10:40-14:40 GMT)
Evening session: 15:00-17:00 (13:00-15:00 GMT)
Umpires: Rod Tucker, Bruce Oxenford
TV Umpire: Aleem Dar
Match Referee: David Boon
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.