Sri Lanka vs South Africa: Preview

Muttiah Muralitharan's long-standing battle with Shane Warne for spin bowling supremacy resumes today as the Asia Cup champion side Sri Lanka host Graeme Smith's South African side in the opening match of the two-Test series in Galle.

Despite missing the tour of Australia for personal reasons, Murali still has one hand on the world record of wickets - sharing the 527 mark with Warne. His return suddenly turns the Sri Lankan attack into a potentially dangerous force despite their pedestrian performance in Australia.

Two benefits from the Australia tour were the emergence of Lasith Malinga as an exciting paceman and the rebirth of Upul Chandana as a Test cricketer. Malinga, a potential cult hero due to his slinging action, makes the ball difficult viewing for batsmen while Chandana's 10 wickets in the second Test in Cairns offered a look into the potential of the enigmatic leg-spinning all-rounder at the top level.

The selectors again face the conundrum of a specialist wicket keeper in Romesh Kaluwitharana or part-timer in Kumar Sangakarra. With the Galle pitch likely to take heavy spin Sangakarra may don the gloves to allow for five bowlers.

The top six batting takes on a familiar look, with Atapattu captaining the side and opening the batting alongside Sanath Jayasuirya. Sangakarra comes in at the fall of a wicket, followed by vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene, the improving duo of Thilan Samaraweera and Tillkaratne Dilshan.

Ian Daniel is the main beneficiary of the Sri Lankans successful 'A' tour in England, added to the squad ahead of the tried Russel Arnold.

Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa offer a left arm pace battery capable of taking wickets on the unhelpful wickets likely to be experienced throughout the series. The will join Murali in the starting XI, with two of Malinga, Chandana and Rangana Herath likely to take part in the first Test.

The South Africans, meanwhile, return to Test duty for the first time since their tour of New Zealand early in the year. They boast an experienced squad, with Lance Klusener and Nantie Hayward recalled from the Test match wilderness for the series.

A significant development is the selection process was the axing of gutsy middle-order batsman Neil McKenzie, who has failed to pay homage to his high talent and strong technique at Test level. His axing opens the door for Boeta Dippenaar - somewhat a one-day specialist throughout his international career.

The series signals the opportunity for Martin van Jaarsveld to establish himself as a regular member of the set-up after playing a bit-part role in the squad in the past despite averaging close to 43 in his 5 match career to date. The tour signals his second visit to the Asian nation following the South Africa 'A' tour some 6 years ago.

The loss of Herschelle Gibbs for at least the first Test is a body blow for the Proteas, yet they have 3 competent opening options - Dippenaar, Jacques Rudolph and the uncapped Andrew Puttick, who seems likely to make his debut despite a disappointing performance in the tour match.

With Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini forming the nucleus of the bowling arsenal, the option of two spin bowlers presents itself in the form of Nicky Boje - a certain pick - and Robin Peterson - somewhat a fortunate tourist. To date, his most outstanding achievement at Test level was Brian Lara taking 26 runs off a solitary over of his friendly left-arm spin.

Hence, the most likely option is either Andre Nel or the recalled Hayward. Despite a lackluster tour of New Zealand, Nel still offers raw aggression and the potential for a wicket from nothing that makes him an attractive proposition for the South Africans.

Full Squads:

Sri Lanka: Marvan Atapattu (c), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakarra, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillekaratne Dilshan, Ian Daniel, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Upul Chandana, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Rangana Herath, Muttiah Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga.

Likely XI: Atapattu (c), Jayasuriya, Sangakarra, Jayawardene, Samaraweera, Dilshan, Chandana, Vaas, Zoysa, Muralitharan, Malinga.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (c), Andrew Puttick, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Rudolph, Jacques Kallis, Martin van Jaarsveld, Boeta Dippenaar, Mark Boucher, Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock, Nicky Boje, Robin Peterson, Makhaya Ntini, Nantie Hayward, Andre Nel.

Likely XI: Smith (c), Puttick, Rudolph, Kallis, van Jaarsveld, Dippenaar, Boucher, Pollock, Boje, Ntini, Nel.

Posted by Andre