Proteas arrive for six match bilateral series

by Rex Clementine

Proteas were expected to land at Katunayake in the early hours of today and as per the health ministry protocols will move for their quarantine immediately upon arrival. They will be able to resume training by tomorrow (Thursday) having spent 24 hours in their rooms provided their PCR tests are negative.

Seamer Junior Dala and fast bowling coach Charl Langeveldt were forced to remain at home after they failed to meet health ministry requirements. Both had tested positive for COVID and anyone landing in Colombo should have spent 21 days after testing positive for the virus. South Africa were forced to call in replacements.

The Proteas also have rested wicketkeeper batsman Quinton de Kock from the tour while fast bowler Lungi Ngdi pulled out due to personal reasons. There’s no David Miller as well as he is recovering from a hamstring injury.

Skippered by Temba Bavuma, the South Africans are a well balanced side with Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen being the mainstay of their batting along with the captain. They also depend a lot on their all-rounders and there are quite a few of them in the form of Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo and Dwaine Pretorious.

The series also provides an excellent opportunity to witness some fine fast bowling talent. While the Proteas have quite a few who bowl at serious pace the ones who will trouble the Sri Lankans most are Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.

Their lead spinners are Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamzi.

The Sri Lankan support staff entered a bio-bubble on Monday in preparation for the series while the players who were involved in a domestic T-20 series in Kandy joined the bubble in Colombo yesterday afternoon. Both teams will stay at Colombo’s Cinnamon Grand hotel.

The series will be an ideal preparation for the players ahead of the T-20 World Cup in UAE.

The first ODI gets underway exactly in one week’s time on the 2nd September. The three T-20s will follow the ODIs. All games will be played at RPS.

This series was scheduled to be played last year but was postponed due to COVID.