South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2024 Test Series Preview
The highly anticipated two-match Test series between South Africa and Sri Lanka begins this Wednesday at Kingsmead and St George’s Park, South Africa. We look at South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2024 Test Series Preview and Details.
Currently, the Sri Lankan team is sitting in third place in the World Test Championship table, with a win percentage of 55.56, and South Africa is right behind them with a percentage of 54.17.
Both are in striking distance of a top-two finish, for which apparently, there are five serious contenders – India, Australia, and New Zealand being the other three.
Mostly, this matchup is enough to make it a series worth watching, presently as there are other series going on such as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, plus a New Zealand vs England series as well.
Apart from the standings posing dramatic potential. Sri Lanka are the only Asian team to ever have beaten South Africa at home in a series, back in 2019. Seven players from this current Sri Lanka squad had played roles in that 2-0 sweep.
A must win series for Sri Lanka to qualify for WTC 2025 Final
The Sri Lankan team has an astonishing record in Durban, they never lost a test there in their last 3 attempts. Two of their recent wins were at Kingsmead including a historic win in 2011 with Rangana Herath’s spin and an excellent 2019 triumph led by Kusal Perera.
The current Sri Lankan squad is showing a promising start this year, with six Test wins this year, including an impressive victory at The Oval. Their seam-bowling attack, led by Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, and Lahiru Kumara, is shaping up well. Currently in third, a 2 in 2 win will keep Sri Lanka in WTC 2025 final contention.
South Africa, on the other hand, is riding high on recent away series wins against the West Indies and Bangladesh. However, they haven’t had any successful runs at Kingsmead since 2010, winning just two of their seven matches outings.
With Temba Bavuma confirming no requests for green pitches, Sri Lanka’s batters will be satisfied, though the pitch is expected to provide some pace and turn later in the game. Key players include Keshav Maharaj, who knows the venue well, and Sri Lanka’s rising star, Kamindu Mendis who’s been performing well in his recent games.
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SA vs SL 2024 Test Series: The Verdict
South Africa must make tough calls on their all-rounders and bowlers, with options like Senuran Muthusamy for spin or Gerald Coetzee for pace. They must also decide whether to include Ryan Rickelton in their squad.
Sri Lanka has bowling choices to make, potentially favoring Milan Rathnayake for his batting value. Vishwa Fernando’s left-arm spin or Lahiru Kumara’s pace could both be key players for the series.
Stats highlight Keshav Maharaj’s best figures against Sri Lanka, while Kamindu Mendis maintains a stellar away average. The team that strikes the balance to win may receive an opportunity to feature in the top two of the World Test Championship Table.
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