South Africa vs Sri Lanka – 2nd Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is South Africa vs Sri Lanka taking place? Sunday 3rd January, 2021 – 08:00 (UK)
Where is South Africa vs Sri Lanka taking place? The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
What is the expected weather for South Africa vs Sri Lanka? 26c with sunshine and cloudy intervals with the occasional shower possible from day two onwards
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
South Africa beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 45 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
SOUTH AFRICA
- South Africa took advantage of Sri Lanka’s misfortune with injuries to win the first Test in emphatic fashion as Faf du Plessis smashed a superb 199 and relative newcomers Lutho Sipamla and Wiaan Mulder bowled exceptionally well.
- There were a number of key performances which will give them huge confidence coming into this game and as the second and final Test moves to the Wanderers in conditions that will strongly favour their bowling attack, they will expect to seal a 2-0 series win here.
- Kagiso Rabada was close to a return but has been left out as a precaution while fringe players Raynard van Tonder and Glenton Stuurman are both ruled out with injuries as the hosts will almost certainly go unchanged for this match.
SRI LANKA
- Sri Lanka were thwarted by injuries in the opening Test as the lack of recent action in the longest format of the game seemingly affected them as they suffered numerous injuries which devastated their bowling attack in particular and made life incredibly tough for them to perform.
- They are without a whole host of players as Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Dhananjaya de Silva, Oshada Fernando and Dinesh Chandimal have all been ruled out and Wanindu Hasaranga is a major doubt so that will lead to a much-changed starting line-up.
- Minod Bhanuka and Asitha Fernando should come in for their Test debuts while Lahiru Thirimanne and Dushmantha Chameera should also come into the side with spinner Lasith Embuldeniya waiting in the wings if Hasaranga does miss out.
THE PREDICTION
Everything went in South Africa’s favour in the first Test as Sri Lanka were incredibly unlucky with several injuries and that looks to be carrying over into this second Test. With the tourists missing a whole host of players as they head to the Wanderers, the conditions will also heavily favour the Proteas’ pace attack. With South Africa expected to go unchanged and flying with confidence after the overwhelming win last time out, they simply have to be favoured to back that first Test win up with another here….and it could be another emphatic one at that.
