It’s Time for Africa!

by Rex Clementine

When Sri Lanka pulled off a heist for the ages in 2019, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat with Kusal Janith Perera’s jaw-dropping unbeaten 153, cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar didn’t pull any punches. The maestro declared that had this innings come from the willow of an Australian or Englishman, it would have been heralded as the “greatest knock in the history of Test cricket.” Facing a fiery South African attack, on a crumbling fourth-innings pitch, with only the last pair standing, Perera’s heroics helped Sri Lanka achieve what no other Asian side has managed: a Test series win in South Africa.

Fast forward to 2024, and the stage is set once again.

In a twist of fate—or perhaps sheer oversight by the hosts—Sri Lanka will once again take the field in Durban and Port Elizabeth, the very venues of their historic triumph. You’d think the South Africans would have learned their lesson by now. These are the slowest pitches in the country, and the moment Sanath Jayasuriya glanced at the schedule, he must have been grinning like a Matara cat. For Sri Lanka, it’s a dream itinerary.

With both teams vying for a spot in the World Test Championship final, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Sri Lanka’s cricketing renaissance has been nothing short of remarkable. Critics who once dismissed their dominance at home on spinning tracks have had to eat their words. This team has proven their mettle away from home, notching three overseas Test victories where it was the pacers, not the spinners, who delivered the goods.

Leading the charge is Asitha Fernando, the spearhead of the Sri Lankan pace attack. While most quicks revel in swinging the new ball, Asitha is a master of the old ball, unleashing devastating reverse swing.

Then there’s Lahiru Kumara, a fiery enigma prone to injuries but unstoppable when in rhythm. Though he hasn’t bagged a Man of the Match award recently, Kumara’s role in Sri Lanka’s overseas wins has been pivotal. The fastest bowler in the Sri Lankan camp, Kumara also has a flair for theatrics. His on-field antics in England, where he sledged Dan Lawrence with the cheeky “Do you think this is T20 cricket?” and vowed revenge against Olly Stone in Sinhala, have made him a cult figure. Characters like Kumara bring colour to a game increasingly devoid of mavericks.

Kumara is knocking on the door of an elite club, needing just a handful of wickets to join Chaminda Vaas, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, and Dilhara Fernando in the 100-Test-wicket fraternity.

The supporting cast includes Vishwa Fernando, a dependable left-armer fresh off a stint with Yorkshire, Milan Ratnayake, whose athleticism on the field is as sharp as his bowling, and Kasun Rajitha, a reliable workhorse likely to feature only if injuries strike.

With this being their swan song in South Africa, stalwarts Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, and Angelo Mathews will be itching to make their mark. For them, there’s more than just pride on the line; a World Test Championship final spot adds extra spice to an already tantalizing contest.

Meanwhile, the spotlight will be firmly on Kamindu Mendis, whose meteoric rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. With three of his five Test hundreds scored on foreign soil, Mendis has drawn comparisons to the greats. His partnerships with the ever-reliable Kusal Mendis, batting at number seven, were instrumental in the series win over New Zealand. Together, they form a batting spine that can weather any storm.

While the seamers are expected to hog the limelight, don’t write off Prabath Jayasuriya just yet. Durban is known to turn, and Port Elizabeth pitches crumble quicker than a biscuit in hot tea. If Jayasuriya finds his rhythm, he could end up bagging a rich haul of wickets and leaving the Proteas scratching their heads.