Sri Lanka Playing 11 vs South Africa- 2nd Test, Sri Lanka tour of South Africa 2024

After suffering a crushing defeat by 233 runs in Durban, Sri Lanka now face the huge task of leveling the series against the high-flying South Africans in the second Test. The visitors collapsed in the first innings for 42 runs.

Marco Jansen's dominating performance, claiming 11 wickets in the match, was testimony to South Africa's bowling while Lanka's middle-order, which included Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva, was only momentarily put up resistance.

The pitch offered little respite as it opened placidly. South African bowling, especially the sting of Jansen and the constancy of Kagiso Rabada, kept pitting Lanka's batting frontline on tenterhooks.

Visitors' inability to recover from early collapse and sustain meaningful partnership ultimately led to 233 run defeat breaking their previous unbeaten sequence at Durban.

Also read: South Africa Playing 11 vs Sri Lanka- 2nd Test, Sri Lanka tour of South Africa 2024

Sri Lanka squad

Dhananjaya De Silva (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Prabhat Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Lasith Embuldeniya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha.

Openers: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne

Islanders will likely continue with their trusted opening pair, Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne for the second Test against South Africa.

Though they had a tough time in the first innings of the last match in which Nissanka scored only 3 runs and Karunaratne just 2, the pair of Nissanka did show promise in the second innings. His 23 off 31 balls, which included four boundaries, spoke of his potential in times of pressure.

Karunaratne, though dismissed for 4, remains an experienced campaigner capable of steadying the innings.

Middle-order batsmen and allrounders: Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva (Captain), Kusal Mendis

Islander's middle-order lineup is expected to feature Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Kusal Mendis for the second Test against South Africa.

After a tough first innings where runs were scarce, the experienced middle order showed some form in the second innings. Chandimal’s determined 83 off 174 balls, punctuated with 12 boundaries, was a standout performance.

Dhananjaya de Silva (59 off 81) and Kusal Mendis (48 off 77) also made vital contributions and showed their stroke play and ability to counter-attack. Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis chipped in with starts but will aim to convert those into substantial scores.

Bowlers: Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Prabhat Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando

Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Prabhat Jayasuriya, and Vishwa Fernando are likely to form the Sri Lanka bowling lineup.

These pacers could potentially target South Africa's batting lineup with varied pace and movement.

Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando bring seam-bowling expertise, while Lahiru Kumara offers express pace that can unsettle batsmen. Prabhat Jayasuriya adds depth to the bowling rotation.