Rain a greater threat to SA than Sri Lanka

THE weather could prove a greater threat than Sri Lanka to South Africa’s chances of earning their first home series win in three years when the teams clash in the second Test at Kingsmead in Durban on Monday.

Considering the Sri Lankans were routed by an innings and 81 runs inside three days — in fact, in less than eight sessions — in the first Test in Centurion, the Proteas will go into the match outright favourites.

But the rain that has been forecast for much of next week in Durban could have the final say.

If the weather does not win and South Africa sweep to victory as expected, they will celebrate their first victory in their own backyard since beating Bangladesh 2-0, by an innings in both matches, in 2008.

Since then, they have lost and drawn to Australia, and drawn with England and India. Even if the Durban Test does dwindle to a damp draw, Graeme Smith’s men will have another opportunity to clinch the series in the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town, which starts on January 3. Former Proteas batsman Boeta Dippenaar could not foresee the visitors putting up a fight.

“South Africa dominated the first Test and you could be forgiven for thinking that their opponents are not up to Test match standard,” Dippenaar said on Thursday.

“I will be very surprised if the Sri Lankans show any resistance in the last two Tests. They have not managed to win a Test after the retirement of (off-spinner) Muttiah Muralitharan (last year), and it is hard to think that they will be capable of taking 20 wickets.

“Their best chance of staying alive will be for senior batsmen like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene to make huge scores, but even then you get the feeling that that won’t stop South Africa from winning.”

However, a victory over the Sri Lankans, who are ranked three places below the Proteas and have not yet won a Test in this country, will need to be viewed through the prism of the tours to England and Australia next year.

A resounding series triumph over the Asian islanders will be the minimum requirement if South Africa are to avoid concern over their readiness to take on two of the game’s finest teams in their home conditions.

“Nothing less that 3-0 series win will do justice to the South Africa team,” Dippenaar said. “We have a world-class line-up that can beat any side in any conditions and I can’t wait for the England tour next winter. That will be a showcase series.” (www.businessday.co.za)