South Africa vs Sri Lanka – 1st Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is South Africa vs Sri Lanka taking place? Saturday 26th December, 2020 – 08:00 (UK)
Where is South Africa vs Sri Lanka taking place? SuperSport Park, Centurion
What is the expected weather for South Africa vs Sri Lanka? 28c with sunshine and cloudy intervals with the occasional shower
What channel is South Africa vs Sri Lanka on? The match will be televised live on Sky Sports Cricket (Sky channel 404)
Where can I stream South Africa vs Sri Lanka? The match can be streamed live using the SkyGo app
Where can I get tickets for South Africa vs Sri Lanka? This match will take place without spectators
LAST MEETING
Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 8 wickets
THE TEAM NEWS
SOUTH AFRICA
- South Africa return to Test match action for the first time since losing a home series 3-1 to England so it has been almost a year since they last played in this format and their record has not been great for some time now.
- They have lost eight of their last nine Test matches including two to Sri Lanka back in February 2019 as the tourists came and whitewashed them 2-0 so the lengthy transition for the Proteas risks being extended even further.
- Kagiso Rabada is the big-name absentee for the hosts but while they do possess some experienced in the batting order with the likes of Du Plessis, Elgar, Markram, Bavuma and De Kock, the bowling attack could see one or two new faces with Lutho Sipamla and Glenton Stuurman candidates to come into the side.
SRI LANKA
- Sri Lanka have only won six of their last 20 Test matches but four of those victories have come against South Africa as they have managed to pull off two 2-0 series wins both on home soil and in South Africa in the last two-and-a-half years.
- They have named a strong squad for this series with plenty of quality throughout batting and bowling ranks with the vast majority of the team that beat South Africa back in February 2019 returning here.
- With the tracks in South Africa likely to favour the pace bowlers, the tourists still have plenty of quality options to choose from between Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal and Kasun Rajitha offering some great options among others for their selectors to choose from.
THE PREDICTION
While South Africa may be favoured in many parts due to home advantage, the Sri Lankans should not be written off at all in this series. Sri Lanka have won their last four matches against South Africa including two wins in South Africa in 2019, the Proteas have an abysmal recent record in Test matches and it is the tourists (fifth) who are ranked one above the hosts (sixth) in the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings. South Africa’s line-up could see some experimentation given the injury to Rabada, some COVID concerns and recent poor form. Sri Lanka on the other hand seem to relish being written off or being considered underdogs and they have used that to their benefit in recent times. They will have positive memories of facing South Africa and with Rabada missing, they could well spring a surprise here. The draw is highly unlikely regardless of the pitch especially with the weather looking largely good, but Sri Lanka could offer good value in this opening Test.
