Rex Clementine in Durban

Sri Lanka’s cricketers wrapped up their final training session in Durban yesterday, exuding a sense of calm confidence ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa. Touring South Africa has historically been a trial by fire, with fiery fast bowlers and hostile pitches ready to humble visiting teams. But times have changed. With past victories on these shores under their belt, Sri Lanka seems to have cracked the code, proving that no mountain is too high to climb.

Both teams have their eyes firmly set on the World Test Championship final, adding extra spice to this series. Sri Lanka currently sit third in the standings, just behind Australia and India, with New Zealand and South Africa hot on their heels. A series victory here could put either team in the driver’s seat for a spot at Lord’s next year, where the grand finale awaits.

To prepare for this crucial assignment, Sri Lanka’s Test squad landed in South Africa ten days early for a residential camp, guided by former Proteas batter Neil McKenzie, who previously served as South Africa’s batting coach.

Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva was quick to highlight the value of McKenzie’s expertise.

“Neil McKenzie ran some excellent batting sessions for us. He’s played a lot of cricket and shared vital insights—like how to handle the bounce and what to expect from the conditions here. The sessions were really productive,” Dhananjaya told reporters.

The Sri Lankan captain, who was part of the historic series win in 2019 when Sri Lanka became the first and only Asian team to win a Test series in South Africa, remains grounded despite past glories.

“We can draw confidence from that series, but what’s done is done. This is a new challenge, and we have to start from scratch. The pitch looks flat, but we’ll decide on our combination after another look,” he said.

Dhananjaya also emphasized the importance of finishing 2024 on a high.

“We’ve had a fantastic year in Test cricket, and it’s crucial to cap it off with strong performances. Every Test matters, and winning away from home is a huge source of pride for us. We pushed England hard earlier this year and were disappointed not to win that series, but it was satisfying to get a Test victory there,” he added.

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma acknowledged Sri Lanka’s resilience, particularly in adapting to pace-heavy conditions.

“If Sri Lanka were vulnerable against fast bowling, they wouldn’t be sitting third in the Test Championship standings. They’ve performed well across different conditions. Playing in South Africa is always tough, but I’m sure their preparations will help them meet the challenge head-on,” Bavuma said.

Bavuma also tipped his hat to Sri Lanka’s middle-order sensation Kamindu Mendis, who has been in red-hot form in 2024. The 25-year-old has scored five centuries and three fifties in just seven Tests this year, making him the backbone of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.

“I haven’t played much against him, so it’ll be interesting to see him in action. But we’ve done our homework and have plans in place for him. The guy’s been phenomenal, anchoring their middle order. We respect his ability but won’t be caught off guard,” Bavuma noted.

Sri Lanka (Probable XI):

Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Kusal Mendis (Wicketkeeper), Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando.

South Africa (From):

Temba Bavuma (Captain), David Bedingham, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickleton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (Wicketkeeper), Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada.