Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Thursday, 5 December 2024 01:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
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Milan Rathnayake could get a game if wicket suits pace bowling
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For Sri Lanka, the second cricket Test against South Africa, starting at the St George’s Park cricket ground in Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth) today, is a must-win game for more than one reason.
Their chances of qualifying for the final of the World Test Championship hangs in the balance following their defeat in the first Test at Durban. A loss here and they can kiss goodbye to a trip to Lord’s next year for the final, despite the fact that they have two home Tests against Australia in January.
Also, a win would not only enhance their chances in the WTC table, but also help them draw the two-match Test series which they trail 1-0.
“I have told them to keep fighting for this World Test Championship final. They know what is expected of them and that they have to do well in this game,” said Sri Lanka’s Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya. “We need two batters to get two hundreds, which is important. That’s the challenge they have in front of them. If you get the opportunity to make it big.”
Whereas Sri Lanka’s batting line-up is unlikely to undergo any changes, there could be a change in the bowling line-up depending on the type of wicket they get for the Test.
“We have to take a call after seeing the wicket,” said Jayasuriya. “The likelihood is that if there’s a lot of grass on the wicket we may go with four seamers.”
In the event of that happening Sri Lanka will recall fast bowling all-rounder Milan Rathnayake to replace left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya.
At the Oval against England in September, Sri Lanka went with an all seam attack comprising Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando and Rathnayake and won the Test by 8 wickets.
Having Rathnayake in the 11 gives Sri Lanka additional batting power as he is capable of contributing with the bat also.
South Africa who have named their 11 for today, have to undergo forced changes to their side due to injuries to fast bowling all-rounder Wiaan Mulder and fast bowler Gerald Coetzee. They have been replaced by left-hand batsman Ryan Rickelton and 35-year-old right-arm fast bowler Dane Paterson both of whom played in South Africa’s last Test series against Bangladesh.
South Africa will go with three fast bowlers – Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Paterson, and one spinner Keshav Maharaj. With the inclusion of Rickelton their batting has been strengthened.
