South Africa face a major challenge when they take on a jubilant Sri Lanka side in the first Test starting today at spin-friendly Galle.
The South Africans only had one three-day game to acclimatize to Sri Lanka's slow, turning pitches, scorching temperatures and shirt-drenching humidity.
The hosts, meanwhile, arrived in the southern coastal town of Galle with a fully fit squad buoyed by their Asia Cup win and battle-hardened after a recent series against Australia.
The Sri Lankans also welcome back off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who pulled out of the recent two-test series in Australia after controversy concerning his bowling action.
Muralitharan will not be able to bowl his controversial doosra delivery but South Africa captain Graeme Smith still expects him to be handful.
"We all know what a world-class performer he [Muralitharan] is and even without it [doosra] he is going to be a handful," Smith said.
"You only have to look at Murali's stats to see that he is their strength and I am damn sure that it is going to turn it a hell of a lot.
"It is going to be a unique challenge, but that is what touring in the sub-continent is all about."
Smith announced himself satisfied with the team's warm-up match against a Board President's XI, although he has called on his players to now "raise the intensity."
"We had a few mishaps through the game with a bit of sickness and a few niggles that came up, but overall I am pretty happy as the guys spent some good time in the middle," he said.
"The match got a few thought processes going for the test and we now need to raise the intensity."
South Africa's main selection dilemma surrounds Smith's opening partner, with Herschelle Gibbs ruled out because of an ankle injury.
Andrew Puttick, an uncapped left-hander, was drafted into the squad but both Boeta Dippenaar and Martin van Jaarsveld could move up the order.
"We gave Puttick a chance up front in this game but we have not made any final decisions on the opening berth yet," Smith said.
Fast bowler Andre Nel is struggling with a niggling back injury and South Africa are likely to pick Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini and Nantie Hayward in a three-pronged seam attack.
Nicky Boje will be the solitary specialist spinner, with Smith and van Jaarsveld providing part-time support.
Sri Lanka, who rested on Monday, are expected to play a more balanced attack with two fast bowlers, probably Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa, plus two specialist spinners.
Leg spinner Upul Chandana is favorite to partner Muralitharan after his impressive Asia Cup performances, though slow left-armer Rangana Herath is also an option.
Sri Lanka squad:
Marvan Atapattu (Captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Zoysa, Thilan Sam-araweera, Rangana Herath, Romesh Kaluwitharana (wk), Upul Chandana, Ian Daniel
South Africa squad:
Graeme Smith (Captain), Jacques Kallis, Boeta Dippenaar, Martin van Jaarsveld, Jacques Rudolph, Andrew Puttick, Herschelle Gibbs, Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel, Mornantau Hayward, Nicky Boje, Robin Peterson
Bologna on Thursday advanced past Empoli to reach their first Coppa Italia final in more than half a century. Thijs Dallinga’s 87th-minute header earned Bologna a 2-1 win and his side advanced 5-1 on aggregate. Giovanni Fabbian opened the scoring for Bologna with a header seven minutes in. Then Viktor Kovalenko equalized for Empoli in the 30th minute by turning in a rebound to finish off a counterattack. Bologna won the first leg 3-0. In the May 14 final in Rome, Bologna are to face AC Milan, who eliminated city rivals Inter 4-1 on aggregate following a 3-0 win on Wednesday. Bologna last reached the
If the Wild finally break through and win their first playoff series in a decade, Minnesota’s top line likely will be the reason. They were all over the Golden Knights through the first two games of their NHL Western Conference quarter-finals series, which was 1-1 going back to Minnesota for Game 3 today. The Wild tied the series with a 5-2 win on Tuesday. Matt Boldy had three goals and an assist in the first two games, while Kirill Kaprizov produced two goals and three assists. Joel Eriksson Ek, who centers the line, has yet to get on the scoresheet. “I think the biggest
From a commemorative jersey to a stadium in his name, Argentine soccer organizers are planning a slew of tributes to their late “Captain” Pope Francis, eulogized as the ultimate team player. Tributes to the Argentine pontiff, a lifelong lover of the game, who died on Monday at the age of 88, have been peppered with soccer metaphors in his homeland. “Francisco. What a player,” the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) said, describing the first pope from Latin America and the southern hemisphere as a generational talent who “never hogged the ball” and who showed the world “the importance of having an Argentine captain,
Noelvi Marte on Sunday had seven RBIs and hit his first career grand slam with a drive off infielder Jorge Mateo, while Austin Wynn had a career-high six RBIs as the Cincinnati Reds scored their most runs in 26 years in a 24-2 rout of the Baltimore Orioles. Marte finished with five hits, including his eighth-inning homer off Mateo. Wynn hit a three-run homer in the ninth off catcher Gary Sanchez. Cincinnati scored its most runs since a 24-12 win against the Colorado Rockies on May 19, 1999, and finished with 25 hits. Baltimore allowed its most runs since a 30-3 loss to
RSS