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Mickey arthur
Lakruwan WANNIARACHCHI / AFP
- Mickey Arthur has dismissed any suggestion that the Sri Lankans are the favorites heading into the two-game test series against the Proteas.
- The new Proteas team is currently on a losing streak of three Test matches heading into the first Test at Centurion.
- The last time Sri Lanka was in South Africa, they scored a historic 2-0 series victory.
Sri Lankan coach Mickey arthur He shrugged off any idea of his team being the favorite ahead of the two-game test series against the Proteas.
Both teams will play their first test in 11 months thanks to the global coronavirus pandemic.
The Proteas have only won two of their last 10 Tests and have yet to register a Test victory in three matches in 2020.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, played in two test matches this year, drawing and winning one against Zimbabwe.
When the teams last met in test cricket, Sri Lanka caused a stunning surprise with a 2-0 series win by becoming the first team from the subcontinent to win a test series in South Africa.
However, Arthur, who was appointed head coach of Sri Lanka in December last year, does not believe that Sri Lanka is the favorite heading into Saturday’s first test at Centurion.
“South Africa will be good, there is no question about that. I think they will be very well prepared, well trained and coached, so we are by no means favorites,” said Arthur, who coached the Proteas from 2005 to 2010.
“We have all the bases covered, we have some really good players, so I think it will be a series of tests.”
It’s a new look: the Proteas side with several new faces in the mix and with Quinton de Kock at the helm.
READ | De Kock insists on testing captaincy in the short term until the new leader ‘raises his hand’
It will be De Kock’s first test as captain and there is a lot of expectation for the wicketkeeper-batsman.
Arthur believes that De Kock’s interim appointment was a good decision and one to be reckoned with.
“De Kock is a very good cricketer, he always leads from the front. He will play very aggressive cricket,” said the Sri Lankan coach.
“I think it’s a good quote from South African cricket … De Kock is a wonderful player and he always plays his cricket in the same way as Boucher.”
De Kock told a press conference on Monday that the Proteas were hungry to rectify Sri Lanka’s latest visit and win the series “convincingly.”
The Proteas will not qualify for the Test Championship final as they currently have 24 points, with Australia leading with 326 points.
De Kock said the Proteas’ goal for test cricket at this time was to accelerate the development of young players.
“We doubt if we will play in the final of the championship. We have young players who need to learn – and learn fast. I want the new ones to come in and start putting their names,” De Kock said.
“When I compare our team to the rest of world cricket … yes [look at] Australia, India or England … those guys’ teams are in order, they are solid in their lineups.
“We are young, but we need the younger players to learn fast so that we can have a structured team. That is what I hope for this season.”
Saturday’s game starts at 10:00.
Protea Squad
Quinton de Kock (captain, Titans), Temba Bavuma (Lions), Aiden Markram (Titans), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Dean Elgar (Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (Lions), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Glenton Stuurman (Warriors), Sarel Erwee (Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Kyle Verreynne (Corporal Cobras), Migael Pretorius (Knights), Dwaine Pretorius (Lions), Lutho Sipamla ( Lions), Raynard van Tonder (Knights).
Sri Lanka Squad:
Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews (England series only), Oshada Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Embuldeniya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dilrugawan Perera , Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera, Ajo Shanaka, Santhush Perera, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
