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Fitness will play as important a role as form when South Africa and Sri Lanka finalize their teams for the second and final round, which will start on Sunday at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
Sri Lanka had an injury nightmare during the first test at Centurion. Batsman Dhananjaya and fast bowlers Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara were out of action as South Africa took the victory by one inning and 45 runs.
South Africa’s eleven came out intact, but coach Mark Boucher recognized the challenge of assessing fitness in times of coronavirus. He hinted that there might be some rotation in the rhythm attack.
South Africa has an expanded pool of fast pitchers as possible picks for the Wanderers, with former world number one Kagiso Rabada and left arm Beuran Hendricks added to the team after recovering from injury and illness.
The uncovered Glenton Stuurman, who was expected to make his debut in the first round, could also be in contention if he has fully recovered from a quadriceps strain.
The Wanderers are the playing field for both Rabada and Hendricks, but Boucher said after the Centurion Test that he was wary of bowlers returning to action unless they were shown to be fit.
South Africa sent one of its least experienced fast bowling attacks in many years at Centurion. Recent lack of practice and inexperience showed up in the early innings, as Sri Lanka made 396, its highest total in South Africa.
Boucher said South Africa’s bowling in the first inning was “disappointing” but was encouraged by their improved discipline when they dropped Sri Lanka 180 in the second inning.
“It was chalk and cheese,” he said.
Despite the absence of its injured players, Sri Lanka could enter the match with a team equivalent in strength to that chosen for the first test.
Starting hitter Oshada Fernando missed the Centurion Test due to an ankle injury, but is expected to return to the Wanderers. This would allow Kusal Perera to descend to a more accustomed place in the middle order to fill the void left by De Silva.
A key factor will be the fitness of Suranga Lakmal, described by coach Mickey Arthur as “the leader of our attack.” Lakmal was ruled out of Centurion with a hamstring strain.
Lakmal’s return would strengthen bowling, while Dushmantha Chameera is expected to be a similar replacement for Kumara as a genuine pacing bowler.
Possible teams:
South Africa
Quinton de Kock (captain, wkt), Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis, Temba Bavuma, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, plus three from Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks and Glenton Stuurman
Sri Lanka
Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella (Time), Ajo Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Suranga Lakmal, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera
Referees: Marais Erasmus, Adrian Holdstock (both RSA)
Television referee: Allahudien Paleker (RSA)
Referee of the match: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
