5 Players to watch out for in the upcoming Sri Lanka-South Africa Test series

It’s been four years since South Africa last toured Sri Lanka and a lot has changed as far as the South African team is concerned. Only 6 players in the current 15-man squad have experience of playing in Sri Lanka.

In fact, for most of the other players, this is their first trip to the subcontinent. But the South African team is in very good form and they have won 8 out of their last 9 Test series (with their only loss coming in England last year).

On the other hand, Sri Lanka have been in decent form too, but they’ve been inconsistent. After the 3-0 drubbing against India at home, they won 2-0 against Pakistan in UAE, they lost a 3-match series 1-0 in India (where they competed really well), they beat Bangladesh 1-0 in Bangladesh and recently came from behind to square a closely contested three-match series in West Indies.

South Africa have not had a great time touring the subcontinent in recent times. They drew 0-0 against Bangladesh in a 2-match series which was largely affected by rain but South Africa had their struggles against the turning ball. They were spun into submission in India in 2015 and lost 3-0.

However, it’s been more than six years since Sri Lanka beat South Africa in a Test match and their last win at home against the Proteas came way back in 2006 when Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara shared a record-shattering 624.

Hence, Sri Lanka will be striving for consistency while the Proteas will want to improve their recent record against spin. This is also South Africa’s first series after AB de Villiers’ retirement.

Thus, here’s a look at 5 players who could be game-changers in the series.

---

#5 Dale Steyn

The last time Dale Steyn lasted a full test series was back in 2016 against New Zealand. In that two-match Test series, Steyn picked up 10 wickets in 3 innings which included a fifer. Since then he’s largely found himself out injured. He broke down in the first Test in Australia in 2016 and against India at home earlier this year. In fact, in 4 out of the last 5 Test series, Steyn has played, he hasn’t lasted past the first Test.

Also, Steyn is just three wickets short of surpassing Shaun Pollock’s tally of 421 Test wickets and if he does that, he will become the leading wicket-taker for South Africa in Test cricket. But it will be interesting to see how he goes after the umpteenth injury break.

But South Africa’s second highest wicket-taker in Test cricket seems to be in good rhythm. He recently took part in County cricket and represented Hampshire where he played a couple of First Class games and 3 List ‘A’ games. He ran in hard and bowled with great intensity and will be one of the bowlers to watch out for. He also has a great record in Asia. He’s taken a staggering 90 wickets in 20 Test matches and also has 5 five-wicket hauls.

#4 Kusal Mendis

Kusal Mendis shot into the limelight when he struck a series-changing 176 against a strong Australian attack. He’s one of Sri Lanka’s mainstays and has done quite well despite Sri Lanka’s struggles in the recent past. But after a poor series against Pakistan in the UAE, he was dropped for Sri Lanka’s trip to India.

However, he came back strongly as he is not only Sri Lanka’s leading run-getter but also the 3rd highest run-getter in 2018 in Test cricket. He has amassed 558 runs at an average of 61.78 this year which include 2 hundreds and 2 fifties.

This 23-year-old right-hander has been a little up and down the batting order but he has adapted to every role the team management has given him. He was Sri Lanka’s best batsman in the recently concluded series in West Indies. Hence, Sri Lanka will be hoping that Mendis continues his good run and continues to churn out runs against a quality South African attack.

#3 Suranga Lakmal

Suranga Lakmal has been one of Sri Lanka’s best bowlers in recent times. He’s has been their workhorse in the last 12 months. He has taken 32 wickets in the last 10 Test matches which have largely been on slow, low pitches.

He took 12 wickets in 3 Tests at an average of 21.83 in the recent series against West Indies. He was the leader of the attack and led them brilliantly. He also captained Sri Lanka in the last Test after Dinesh Chandimal was banned after the recent ball-tampering scandal. He led the team very well and under his captaincy, Sri Lanka levelled the series in the third and final Test.

Hence, with Chandimal’s fate hanging by the thread and the hearing (for refusing to take the field on the third day of the second Test) just a day before the first Test, Lakmal might be leading the team in the series. It will be a test for him as captain and as a bowler.

#2 Keshav Maharaj

Since Paul Harris’ retirement, the South Africa spinners weren’t consistent enough and failed to cement their spot in the Test team. Despite his wicket-taking ability, Imran Tahir hasn’t been at his best in red-ball cricket. The likes of Dane Piedt and Simon Harmer haven’t inspired a lot of confidence either.

But the arrival of Keshav Maharaj has ended their search for a consistent spinner. Maharaj made his debut in Australia in 2016 and has played 20 Tests so far. He has taken 74 wickets at an average of 28.36. He has kept things really tight from his end allowing the fast bowlers to do the damage.

However, this is his first tour to the subcontinent and he will become a lead bowler in spin-friendly conditions. Thus, he will be one of the players to watch out for as he has been very good in pace-friendly conditions and now, he will be eager to do well in the subcontinent.

#1 Aiden Markram

Aiden Markram has had an excellent start to his Test career. His ability and his prolific run has also got him accolades from one of the best batsmen in the world at the moment, Virat Kohli who praised the 23-year-old through his tweets.

Markram has scored exactly 1000 runs in 10 Test matches at an average of 55.56 which includes 4 hundreds and 3 fifties. It was in the series against Australia where the 23-year-old opener attracted the world and made them sit up and take notice as he scored big runs against a quality Australian bowling attack (which comprised of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon).

Markram, who is the fastest South African to score 1000 Test runs, will now be keen to make an impact overseas. He has shown the ability and the technique where he can succeed against spin. But playing on turners will present a different challenge altogether. Hence, South Africa will want him to continue his great start and give them solid starts at the top of the order.

---

Which player are you looking forward to seeing the most in the upcoming Sri Lanka-South Africa Test series? Tell us in the comments below!