Sri Lanka produced an upset at Durban to give a riveting start to the series, beating South Africa with one wicket in hand. Sri Lanka defied odds, with help of Kusal Perera’s brilliant unbeaten 153 in the fourth innings, to give his side a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Perera’s effort is called one of the great Test innings and why not, it was a masterclass!
South Africa did well for the most part of the Durban test until the last wicket stand that outdid them. The hosts have never lost successive home test against an Asian side but they must play out of their skins to take down Sri Lankans to take the series to the decider.
Pitch conditions: Unlike the first Test surface, St George’s Park is quick and bouncy to bring the quicks in play.
Where – St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
When – 1:30 PM IST, February 21
Head-to-head (last five fixtures)
South Africa – 2, Sri Lanka – 3
South Africa Team News: Vernon Philander has been ruled out for the second Test with a grade one hamstring strain. Wiaan Mulder, Theunis de Bruyn or Zubayr Hamza could make it to the side to fill in Vern’s spot.
Sri Lanka Team News: Kusal Mendis injured his ankle during a training session in Port Elizabeth and is a doubt.
SL Playing 11: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lahiru Thirimanne, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Embuldeniya, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando
Doubtful – Kusal Mendis
Sri Lanka Test squad: Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Oshada Fernando, Angelo Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Mohamed Shiraz, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Embuldeniya, Niroshan Dickwella, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Milinda Siriwardana and Dhananjaya de Silva.
SA Playing 11: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Duanne Olivier
Doubtful – Wiaan Mulder, Theunis de Bruyn, Zubayr Hamza
South Africa Test Squad: Faf du Plessis(c), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Dean Elgar, Theunis de Bruyn, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Duanne Olivier, Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.
Top picks – Quinton de Kock, Kusal Perera, Vishwa Fernando, Faf du Plessis and Lasith Embuldeniya had a good outing at Durban and would be bursting with confidence.
Others who can go well – Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Dale Steyn, Dimuth Karunaratne, Suranga Lakmal and Duanne Olivier are among others who could go well.
Make SL vs SA Dream11 Team as per your discretion from the squad listed above and team news.