Weeks after their three-match ODI series against England was abandoned owing to the rise in the number of virus cases within the bubble, the South African cricket team is set to welcome Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series, starting from December 26 at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion.
The South Africa vs Sri Lanka Boxing Day Test will be of utmost importance, especially for the hosts, as this series will decide whether Australia will agree to tour South Africa next year or not. As for the Sri Lankan cricket team, their players have been inactive on the international circuit since the pandemic outbreak. They are, however, coming on the back of the Lanka Premier League; a domestic T20 tournament in the country.
Sri Lanka have won four of their last five Test matches against South Africa, which includes their historic one-wicket victory at Durban in February 2019. The Lankan Lions are coming with a full-strength squad, with only Angelo Mathews and Oshada Fernando being the notable absentees. From the South African Test squad, Beuran Hendricks and Keegan Petersen have been withdrawn as the duo didn’t enter the tour bubble. Furthermore, with Kagiso Rabada missing because of an injury, Glenton Stuurman may get his chance.
While the Sri Lankan team is fresh off from their domestic T20 extravaganza, their last Test action came against Zimbabwe almost a year back. For South Africa, they locked horns with England in a four-match series at home last year. They won the Boxing Day Test in that series but went on to lose the remaining three games.
South Africa vs Sri Lanka Test full squads
South Africa Test squad: Quinton de Kock (captain and wicket-keeper), Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Sarel Erwee, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Dwaine Pretorius, Migael Pretorius, Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman, Rassie van der Dussen, Raynard van Tonder, Kyle Verreynne.
Sri Lanka Test squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Dilruwan Perera, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella (wicket-keeper), Minod Bhanuka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
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South Africa vs Sri Lanka Test schedule, venue and live India match time
SA vs SL 1st Test: December 26-30, SuperSport Park, Centurion - 1:30 PM IST
SA vs SL 2nd Test: January 3-7, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg - 1:30 PM IST
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Where to watch South Africa vs Sri Lanka Test series live in India?
The South Africa vs Sri Lanka Test series will be telecast live on the Star Sports 1 and Star Sport 1 HD TV channels in India.
Cricket fans in India can watch SA vs SL live streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Rodger Bosch
