According to the title, no side has guaranteed a spot in the World Test Championship final, but both are in the running. Despite crushing Sri Lanka by 233 runs in Durban, South Africa’s victory was only recorded as an easy one since the WTC scoring system does not recognise large winning margins.
Nevertheless, they are confident now that they have reached Gqeberha. Their route to the final becomes considerably clearer with another victory tonight. In contrast, a victory for Sri Lanka would provide them the opportunity to advance to the final independently of other outcomes. (They would also have to defeat Australia 2-0 in their matches.)
However, being more competitive than they were in Durban is their primary objective. In particular, their batters can’t let another collapse happen. Several batting group members have discussed the difficulty of playing South Africa’s tall quicks on tracks with more bounce than they are accustomed to at home. For example, these seaside locations are not as lively as they are in the Highveld, but they have undoubtedly been more difficult for Sri Lanka than they anticipated. Additionally, they will hope that the surface will dry up and allow spinners to play a more significant role in the game, especially considering the wind and sunshine anticipated for Gqeberha over the next several days.
Although South Africa’s own hitters were knocked for 191 in the first innings at Kingsmead, they have Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs in excellent form heading into this Test, and Aiden Markram also had a respectable performance there.
The main issue facing South Africa before the Test is the composition of their attack, as both Gerald Coetzee and Wiaan Mulder have been ruled out. However, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada, who split 14 wickets in the previous Test match with Jansen taking 11 on his own, remain their leaders.
Form guide
South Africa: WWWWD (last five Tests, most recent first)
Sri Lanka: LWWWL
Highlighted: Lahiru Kumara and Tristan Stubbs
To 24-year-old Tristan Stubbs, test cricket must seem rather simple thus far. He has amassed two hundred and fifty runs at an average of 43.90 after eleven innings. Stubbs sped into the 90s, but Bavuma was hesitant when approaching triple figures at Kingsmead. After being dropped on 33, he got some luck in that innings but maintained his composure at the crease, pressing South Africa’s advantage with Bavuma. He will be excited about the chance to support that 122 with a strong showing in his hometown Test match.
Although he is not always the most disciplined among Sri Lanka’s quick bowlers, Lahiru Kumara is the fastest and most penetrative at Kingsmead. He’s about to become a member of a rather exclusive club. Only four seam bowlers—Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, and Dilhara Fernando—have ever reached 100 wickets for Sri Lanka. Kumara can reach triple figures with just one more dismissal. Kumara will probably need to surpass that mark by a significant margin if Sri Lanka hopes to tie the series.
Team updates
Although spin-bowling all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy is also being discussed, South Africa may choose to use Dane Paterson and 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka to complete their attack.
Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, and South Africa (likely): 10 Kwena Maphaka, 11 Kagiso Rabada, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Dane Paterson, 9 Keshav Maharaj, and 6 Kyle Verreynne (week)
Sri Lanka must also make important choices regarding their offensive. This year, would they strap four quick bowlers to the plough, as they did in Lord’s? Milan Rathnayake’s ability to bat occasionally makes it a real possibility. Additionally, keep an eye out for any adjustments that might occur higher in the batting order.
Dimuth Karuanaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, and Angelo Mathews are likely to be in Sri Lanka. 5 Kamindu Mendis 6 Kusal Mendis (wk), 7 Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), 8 Rathnayake Milan, 9 Lahiru Kumara, 10 Asitha Fernando, and 11 Vishwa Fernando
Conditions and pitch
Since the drying wind was predicted to increase in the afternoon, the playing surface was covered with a hessian the day before the game to avoid excessive moisture loss. For the same reason, there was still a good deal of grass on the surface. On the morning of the game, the groundskeeper has not yet decided how much would be trimmed. It is advised to bat early and take advantage of worsening circumstances later in the game because a westerly wind is predicted for the majority of it. For the next five days, there won’t be any rain.
Data and trivia
Kumara would become the third-highest wicket-taker in Sri Lankan seam bowling history if he takes three wickets in Gqeberha, surpassing the records of Dilhara Fernando (100) and Lasith Malinga (101).
In 2016, Sri Lanka suffered a 206-run defeat in their opening game in Gqeberha. However, in 2019, they defeated the venue by eight wickets in their most recent match.
Stubbs has reached 20 in nine of his 11 innings, demonstrating his exceptional ability to earn starts thus far in his career.
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