*Official* South Africa Tour of Sri Lanka 2018

[Borges]

So, do we know whether is Chadimal going to play tomorrow or not?
Or are they waiting till ten minutes before the starting time to let Sri Lanka know?

 

[Borges]

Ok, so it now looks like Rabada, Steyn and Maharaj with Philander to play the role of the stock bowler.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Am looking forward to this series, few things to wonder

Will this be a last hurrah for Rangaiyya?

Can Steyn finally break Pollock's record, and can his body hold up all series?

Is Maharaj going to be ready to lead the attack in conditions likely to offer him assistance?

Will Lahiru Kumara continue to improve and develop into a future pace spearhead?

Which team will be first to do something questionable to the ball?

 

[StephenZA]

Ok, so it now looks like Rabada, Steyn and Maharaj with Philander to play the role of the stock bowler.

Was this ever in doubt?

 

[Migara]

I'd love to know on what grounds you think he'd be anything but banned. Not enough proof for you that he refused to play?

There was some talk about reconsidering his ban, but we haven't anything about this, so it's likely ban is going to stay.

 

[Migara]

If he was from another country the tampering alone would get him banned for a year. Heck even if he didn't tamper, being captain of a team that tampered would have got him a year ban. That's before even taking the whole refusing to play thing into consideration.

That only happens when sandpapers are used

 

[Dendarii]

Was this ever in doubt?

Apparently in this thread it was, with some people suggesting that Ngidi should play ahead of Philander.

 

[StephenZA]

Apparently in this thread it was, with some people suggesting that Ngidi should play ahead of Philander.

More likely Shamsi/von Berg.... but was never gonna happen. Still not convinced that 7 batsmen the way to go, unsure of de Bruyn versus spin.

 

[Borges]

The good news is hat TPC has recovered and will start. EDIT: cricbuzz says that he is still not fit enough to play.

The bad news is that Chandimal is out, and we won't have the pleasure of seeing two teams, both captained by convicted ball-tamperers, going head to head.

 

[Borges]

Hurrah! Both Steyn and TPC are playing.

 

[Maximas]

SL batting first on a dry deck, sounds like a recipe for a classic SL Gallefest

 

[Borges]

There is a fair amount of clod cover; the Sri Lankan first innings should be interesting.

How I'd love this to be a low scoring test match, with Steyn leaving the Sri Lankan top order in tatters, and then Herath toying with the South African batsmen.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

South Africa look a batsman short to me. Not convinced Rabada is really a test 9 yet

 

[Maximas]

Cricinfo commentary musing about whether Dimuth Karunaratne will open the bowling or not is hardly inspiring, probably for the best that SA will bowl first

 

[cnerd123]

Hahah wow three spinners from SL.

SA's batting seems a bit thin

 

[Maximas]

Hahah wow three spinners from SL.

SA's batting seems a bit thin

Would have looked really dumb if they'd had to bat first, makes no sense anyway with Dhananjaya able to bowl handy offspin either IMO

 

[Borges]

Can't help feeling that Gibson was right and Faf is wrong: should have played Ngidi instead of Philander.
I suppose Faf didn't like the look of that tail if Ngidi played.

 

[Borges]

Ah! The extra pace of Rabada might be just what the doctor ordered for this pitch.

 

[Stefan9]

Do we not have a speed gun in sri lanka so we can see the speeds?

 

[StephenZA]

Nice