Cricket Betting: Sri Lanka vs South Africa Test Series Preview

A struggling Sri Lanka is set to welcome South Africa for a two-match Test series, with the first Test starting in Galle on Thursday, July 12th. Both sides have a lot to worry about – including ICC bans – and will form the crux of discussions over the next couple of weeks. We look ahead to what promises to be a hard-fought spin battle from the Island nation.

Sri Lanka – a chance to affirm home dominance
Sri Lanka haven’t played at home since losing 3-0 to India in August 2017. That was the nadir point for a side that prides itself on home domination. To their credit, Sri Lanka did improve along after that series and this year has seen them win 1-0 (two match series) in Bangladesh and draw 1-1 (three match series) in West Indies. There are positive signs already for the home nation with senior pros Angelo Mathews, Kusal Perera, and Rangana Herath set to return to the squad. However, both Perera and Herath are available subject to fitness tests while captain Dinesh Chandimal is awaiting an ICC verdict on disciplinary charges.

That said, Sri Lanka still boast of a very strong squad for home conditions. Kusal Mendis is in excellent form this year and the likes of Dhananjaya de Silva and Dimuth Karunaratne are perfect for these conditions. With the ball, even in the absence of Herath, Sri Lanka do have the services of Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan, not to speak of Suranga Lakmal!

South Africa – can they find the right mix?
South Africa may have lost on their last trip to the sub-continent – a 3-0 thrashing in the four-Test series in 2015 against India. However, the Proteas did win the two-Test series against Sri Lanka 1-0 in 2014. Over the years, South Africa have won three and lost four of the 12 Tests played in Sri Lanka. All that will count for nothing if Faf du Plessis can’t get his team composition right. There are talks about the visitors fielding three seamers, which is a luxury in these conditions.

In Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, South Africa have the right ‘spin mix’ to throw a challenge to Sri Lanka. With stalwarts Hashim Amla and Du Plessis together with the exciting Aiden Markram and the ever-dependable Dean Elgar manning the batting department, it won’t be a surprise if the visitors repeat their performance from 2014 series.

Stats
– South Africa have won the last three series against Sri Lanka.
– South Africa have lost only four of the 12 Tests played in Sri Lanka.
– Dean Elgar averages 51.63 for the past year with four of his 11 Test centuries coming in this phase.

TIP: Sri Lanka to win the 1st Test – $4.50 at bet365
TIP: Elgar to be the top South African batsman 1st Test – $5 at William Hill
TIP: Mendis to be the top Sri Lankan batsman 1st Test – $5 at William Hill
TIP: Back Herath to be the top Sri Lankan bowler 1st Test – $2.75 at William Hill