Sri Lanka tour to South Africa 2020-21 [Preview]

Sri Lanka is scheduled to tour South Africa in the month of December and January to play two-match Test series.

Sri Lanka announced their Test squad for the two-match series against South Africa. Uncapped players like Wanindu Hasaranga and Minod Bhanuka have added to the Test squad for the South Africa tour. Opener Dimuth Karunaratne will lead the side for the two-match series.

The visitors will take heart from the fact on their last trip to South Africa, they became the first subcontinent team to win a Test series in the country. Dimuth Karunratne will be hoping that the side can adjust to the conditions and deliver another strong show in this two-match Test series.

In the batting department, the onus will be on the likes of Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera to deliver the bulk of the runs. Since Jan 2019, Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne led from the front with the bat and accumulated 630 runs in 10 Test matches at an average of 35.00 with one century and three half-centuries.

Besides Karunaratne, the likes of Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella and Dhananjaya de Silva delivered credible performances for Sri Lanka in the past 12 months.

In the bowling department, the side will be on the likes of Lasith Embuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal and Vishwa Fernando to make crucial breakthroughs in this two-match Test series.

Since 1^st Jan 2019, Left-arm orthodox spinner, Lasith Embuldeniya has topped the bowling charts with 39 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 39.8.

Wanindu Hasaranga, Dilruwan Perera, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha and Dushmantha Chameera are other prominent bowling options for Sri Lanka for the two-match Test series.

On the other hand, the past couple of weeks have been tough for Cricket South Africa after they have suspended the one-day series between England and South Africa due to covid-19 pandemic.

The cricket authorities will make sure that everything is taken care of when Sri Lanka arrives in South Africa for the two-match Test series. With two players being tested positive for coronavirus, the selectors have added uncapped players like Raynard van Tonder, Lutho Sipamla and Dwaine Pretorius into the Test squad for the Sri Lanka series.

Bowling spearhead Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the two-match Test series due to side strain injury.

Uncapped players like Sarel Erwee, Glenton Stuurman, Keagan Petersen, Kyle Verreynne and Migael Pretorius for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar to put in notable scores for the side.

Since 1^st Jan 2019, wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock has topped the batting charts for South Africa in Test cricket.  Left-hander has accumulated 964 runs in 11 Test matches at an average of 45.90 with two century and six half-centuries to his name.

Newly-appointed Test captain, Quinton de Kock, will be looking to lead from the front with the bat in this home series.

Besides de Kock, the likes of Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar and Rassie van der Dussen will be looking to contribute with decent scores for South Africa in this two-match series.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje and uncapped Glenton Stuurman to make early breakthroughs with the new-ball. Keshav Maharaj is the lone spinner picked by South Africa for the home series.

The opening game of the Test series will be played at SuperSport Park in Centurion from 26^th December (on Boxing Day). The second and final game of the Test series will be played at The Wanderers in Johannesburg from 3^rd till 7^th January.