South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2020: 1st Test, South Africa Predicted XI

South Africa was under the radar for their management of bio-bubble when England called off the limited over series in between. However, Sri Lanka agreed to tour South Africa even though a couple of Proteas players have tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of the beginning of the two-match Test series.

The first Test of the series will be played in Centurion from December 26 (Saturday). This will be the first Test series for both countries since January. This series will also mark the return of international cricket in Sri Lanka.

South Africa, under the guidance of new captain Quinton de Kock, will want to take revenge for the last year’s defeat against Sri Lanka.

Here, let’s take a look at how South Africa’s playing XI might shape for the first Test:

Aiden Markram:

Last year against Sri Lanka, Aiden Markram was among the leading scorer for South Africa albeit it was not his best performance. He scored only one half-century in four innings. Overall, he scored 117 runs in four matches.

His last tour against South Africa and India was also poor. Hopefully, during the long hiatus, the 26-year-old would have worked in techniques to be flawless against Sri Lanka this year.

Dean Elgar:

Dean Elgar was a complete flop when Sri Lanka toured last year in South Africa. He could not even score a half-century against the visitors.

The 33-year-old scored 0, 35, 6, and 2 in four innings respectively. The early fall of his wickets increased difficulty and added pressure on the middle-order. South Africa will hope that the veteran doesn’t score figure this year.

Ran van der Dussen:

Ahead of the tour, Rassie van der Dussen scored an unbeaten century in the only match he played in the four-day franchise series, i.e, the first-class domestic cricket of South Africa. He has also raised through ranks in the shorter formats.

The 31-year-old likely to given chance in this series considering has also performed impressively in the last tour against England.

Faf du Plessis:

Faf du Plessis was the second-highest scorer for South Africa against Sri Lanka in the last tour. But the then captain could not guide the side to victory in the series.

But this time, he will be playing only as of the player as he resigned from the captaincy post earlier this year. However, his experience will highly benefit the team in this series.

Temba Bavuma:

Temba Bavuma also had a disappointing tour against the visitors in their last meeting, having scored 47, 3, 0 and 6 runs in four innings respectively.

The 30-year-old will be looking to take revenge for the defeat last year.

Quinton de Kock (c & wk):

Quinton de Kock has been handed over the captaincy of the Test team even though earlier, South Africa had said that they would not give the burden to him to captain across all the formats. However, de Kock has been given the captaincy for the 2020-21 season.

Quinton de Kock was excellent against Sri Lanka, being the highest score for his side. But single-handedly he couldn’t take his team across the line. But this year, he has the command of the whole team and will be desperate to clinch the victory in the series.

Dwaine Pretorius:

The fast bowling all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius will play his maiden series against Sri Lanka. He made the debut in the last tour of South Africa against England where he picked seven wickets in three Test matches.

Keshav Maharaj:

In the last tour of England, the left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj picked 10 wickets in five innings. He is undoubtedly will be going to be the spinner in the playing XI in the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

Anrich Nortje:

The right-arm pacer Anrich Nortje has raised through ranks since his debut last year. He had an outstanding Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 for Delhi Capitals, being one of the leading scorers for them.

In the six Test matches played so far, he has picked up 19 wickets, including one five-wicket haul. His inclusion is a big boost for South Africa.

Lungi Nigdi:

Lungi Nigdi was not in the playing XI in the last year’s tour of Sri Lanka. Although he hasn’t much international cricket experience, he has been highly impressive in the domestic series. The fast bowler has picked up 15 wickets in five Test matches. South Africa will want him to be the leading wicket-taker for them.

Lutho Simple:

The right-hand fast bowler Lutho Sipamla is inexperienced, having played only four Test matches. But he is a promising talent and was successful in the 4-day franchise series. South Africa is expected to go with him in this series.