South Africa haven't won their previous four home Test series, but a disappointment to close out this one will cause the most criticism. While the other contests were against teams near the top of the rankings, this one is against a side that was under pressure to find its feet in Test cricket after the leaving of Muttiah Muralitharan. A series that was probable to be all one-way traffic is now level at one-all, with Sri Lanka having already achieved their pre-tour ambition of winning a Test in South Africa.
After basking in one of their greatest Test victories, Sri Lanka have now scaled up their goal to a series win in South Africa. The Durban success came about through important contributions from many of their players - Thilan Samaraweera and Kumar Sangakkara making hundreds, Chanaka Welegedara and Rangana Herath taking five-fours, and Dinesh Chandimal scoring essential half-centuries in each innings. That's something they need to repeat in Cape Town if they are to pose a challenge to South Africa, who remain favourites despite the Durban debacle.
The return of Vernon Philander, whose accurate swing bowling has brought him four five-wicket hauls in three Tests, is a cause of cheer for the home side. Sri Lanka, though, have several injury worries - Chandimal is stressed with an elbow problem and a final call on his availability will be taken on Tuesday, while their quickest bowler Dilhara Fernando is also uncertain after suffering knee pain. It has been more than a decade since Sri Lanka played a Test in Cape Town, but their previous match at the venue remains their biggest defeat in Tests.
Discus throw, Cheap Shot Put
After basking in one of their greatest Test victories, Sri Lanka have now scaled up their goal to a series win in South Africa. The Durban success came about through important contributions from many of their players - Thilan Samaraweera and Kumar Sangakkara making hundreds, Chanaka Welegedara and Rangana Herath taking five-fours, and Dinesh Chandimal scoring essential half-centuries in each innings. That's something they need to repeat in Cape Town if they are to pose a challenge to South Africa, who remain favourites despite the Durban debacle.
The return of Vernon Philander, whose accurate swing bowling has brought him four five-wicket hauls in three Tests, is a cause of cheer for the home side. Sri Lanka, though, have several injury worries - Chandimal is stressed with an elbow problem and a final call on his availability will be taken on Tuesday, while their quickest bowler Dilhara Fernando is also uncertain after suffering knee pain. It has been more than a decade since Sri Lanka played a Test in Cape Town, but their previous match at the venue remains their biggest defeat in Tests.
Discus throw, Cheap Shot Put
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