*Official* South Africa Tour of Sri Lanka 2018

[SeamUp]

Very strong Board XI - Guess that is what most of these games are about these days. Even the home team players just need a little hit out in the middle.

von Berg with 2 but after an extended spell.

Shamsi just got 2 in his first over back.

 

[vcs]

They're going along at a pretty decent clip here if cricinfo scorecard is to be believed.

 

[TheJediBrah]

65 thousand leg byes will do it

 

[Heboric]

Hmm 8 wickets to spinners

They're going along at a pretty decent clip here if cricinfo scorecard is to be believed.

View attachment 24149

lol noticed that as well

 

[Migara]

SLBP XI 287, Mathews 92, Kaushal Silva 78, Dhanushka Gunathilaka 53, Shamsi 5/45, SAF 17/1

SA 17/1 (4.0 ov, D Elgar 14*, HM Amla 2*, PLS Gamage 1/8) - Stumps | Match Summary | ESPNCricinfo

 

[marc71178]

They're going along at a pretty decent clip here if cricinfo scorecard is to be believed.

View attachment 24149

255 penalty runs, has Faf been up to his old tricks?

 

[Mr Miyagi]

255 penalty runs, has Faf been up to his old tricks?

This may explain the 255 byes that de Kock has let through.

 

[Bahseph]

Want to see Mathews do well this series. Bloke has swollen up like an idli over the last few years and his batting has fallen apart. He's so good to watch when he's batting well.

Rocking the Dad-bod these days. I think he doesn't train for bowling much anymore. Probably a reason.

 

[Maximas]

Very strong Board XI - Guess that is what most of these games are about these days. Even the home team players just need a little hit out in the middle.

Strong top 5 anyway, I'm really keen to see who SL goes for to open with Dimuth (who is now fit, having played for Sri Lanka A last month), it's a shame that Kaushal Silva isn't in the squad as I think he'd have something to offer in terms of blunting the SA pace attack upfront, Roshen Silva has done himself no favours if Chandimal is available for this series.

 

[Migara]

Strong top 5 anyway, I'm really keen to see who SL goes for to open with Dimuth (who is now fit, having played for Sri Lanka A last month), it's a shame that Kaushal Silva isn't in the squad as I think he'd have something to offer in terms of blunting the SA pace attack upfront, Roshen Silva has done himself no favours if Chandimal is available for this series.

Still can be used down the order

 

[Bolo]

That (real) scorecard almost makes me feel like Lanka were trolling RSA... "Listen boys we've got them measured, now let's lose our wickets to the guys they may not select to cast some doubt on their selections for the tests".

Not serious, but it's happening.

 

[Borges]

Unless he is injured, Maharaj is a certainty for the tests; South Africa deliberately hid him from the Sri Lankans in this game.
The only real question is: do South Africa go in with two regular spinners? If so, would they bench one of their three quick bowlers?

 

[StephenZA]

Unlikely we bench one of the three quick bowlers, and if we do it would likely be Steyn! So, assuming no injuries, almost guaranteed Philander, Rabada, Steyn, Maharaj. The question is do we play the extra spinner, probably Shamsi, or the extra bat. And for me that will depend on what the pitch looks like.

 

[StephenZA]

And is this important enough to get stickied yet?

 

[Migara]

Unless he is injured, Maharaj is a certainty for the tests; South Africa deliberately hid him from the Sri Lankans in this game.
The only real question is: do South Africa go in with two regular spinners? If so, would they bench one of their three quick bowlers?

I think both sides are doing it. Sri Lanka is hiding Akhila Dhanajaya and Lakshan Sandakan and SAF hiding Maharaj. SL even did not bowl Dhananjaya de Silva a lot, because he is a certain 3rd spinner for the side.

 

[Maximas]

Still can be used down the order

With two openers playing, as well as Mathews and Chandimal available, there's only two spots available for Dhananjaya, Mendis, Kusal Perera and Roshen Silva in the middle order. Assuming Dickwella bats 7

 

[trundler]

Kusal Mendis needs to play.

 

[Borges]

From what Otis Gibson has to say, it looks like Steyn, Rabada and Ngidi for the test match, with Philander sitting out. Horses for courses.

 

[Stefan9]

From what Otis Gibson has to say, it looks like Steyn, Rabada and Ngidi for the test match, with Philander sitting out. Horses for courses.

Seriously doubt it. Will be Steyn,KG and Vern that plays.

 

[TheJediBrah]

From what Otis Gibson has to say, it looks like Steyn, Rabada and Ngidi for the test match, with Philander sitting out. Horses for courses.

Should be, probably won't though. Horses for courses is underused in Test cricket.