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Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:39 pm
by OupaStruisbaai
After a ODI series win for SA the real cricket starts tomorrow in Galle.

1st Test: Sri Lanka v South Africa at Galle
Jul 16-20, 2014 (10:00 local | 04:30 GMT | 06:30 SAST)


2nd Test: Sri Lanka v South Africa at Colombo (SSC)
Jul 24-28, 2014 (10:00 local | 04:30 GMT | 06:30 SAST)

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:43 pm
by OupaStruisbaai
Sport24

Amla set for historic Test

Galle - Hashim Amla will make history on Wednesday when he takes the field as South Africa's first permanent non-white skipper, helming a team in transition after the retirements of Test greats Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis.

Amla, a devout Muslim, was named captain last month after Smith retired from international cricket, signalling the end of an era which saw him lead out the Proteas a record-breaking 109 times over ten years.

Thirty-one-year-old Amla is the first non-white player to captain the Test side in a full-time capacity - Ashwell Prince has skippered on a stand-in basis.

His appointment was seen in race-conscious South Africa as evidence that cricket there is serious about racial transformation.

A two-Test series against Sri Lanka in Galle starting Wednesday is Amla's first assignment as South Africa look to rebuild in the absence of Smith, all-rounder Kallis and experienced wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.

Amla, who has often shied away from the public eye, has urged patience, saying it will take time for a successful new side to gel.

"It's a newish team with a few new names. It took the previous team a few years before we found a winning combination," said Amla, who smashed two centuries in the three-match one-day series against Sri Lanka.

"It will be naive to think it won't take time before we find another winning combination," he cautioned, adding that "not many teams go to Sri Lanka and dominate".

The visitors go into the Tests on the back of their maiden ODI series victory in Sri Lanka, having won the third and final game in Hambantota on Saturday to clinch the three-match series 2-1.
Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews' form has improved since taking charge of the team last February - and with the ever-dependable Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara alongside him, the home team are a strong outfit.


"We normally do perform well under pressure. It's just a matter of absorbing it," said Mathews.

"We've done pretty well in the past six months and I hope the team will continue to do so," the 27-year-old added.

The hosts will draw confidence from their last outing at home against South Africa in 2006 which saw them win 2-0, including a massive innings-and-153-run victory in the first Test.

South Africa will be looking to reclaim their number one Test ranking from Australia while the hosts are keen to improve their sixth spot.

The visitors can only climb to the top of the charts if they clinch the series 2-0.

"Any Test team wants to be ranked number one," said Amla. "We've had that privilege but having lost it is a fair reflection of how we have played.

"We haven't played our best cricket over the last year or so," he admitted.

"It is a proud thing to be ranked number one. Foremost in my mind is to try and get us back there."

Sri Lanka have recalled opener Upul Tharanga in their 15-member squad after six years while South Africa have added two fresh faces in batsman Stiaan van Zyl and off-spinner Dane Piedt, who are both strong candidates to debut.

The second and final Test will be played in Colombo from July 24.

Squads:

Sri Lanka (from): Angelo Mathews (captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Upul Tharanga, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Ajantha Mendis, Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad, Chanaka Welegedara.

South Africa (from): Alviro Petersen, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla (captain), Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Stiaan van Zyl, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Kyle Abbott, Quinton de Kock, Dane Piedt.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:56 pm
by handyman
Likely SA team?

1. Alviro Peterson
2. Dean Elgar
3. Faf du Plessis
4. Hashim Amla
5. AB de Villiers
6. JP Duminy
7. Quinton de Kock
8. Vernon Philander
9. Dale Steyn
10. Morne Morkel
11. Imran Tahir

When AB will be fit to keep in the next test, De Kock can be dropped for Stiaan van Zyl.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:59 pm
by OupaStruisbaai
de Kock should take the gloves and open. He has so much talent.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 2:04 pm
by handyman
1. De Kock
2. Dean Elgar
3. Faf du Plessis
4. Hashim Amla
5. AB de Villiers
6. JP Duminy
7. Stiaan van Zyl
8. Vernon Philander
9. Dale Steyn
10. Morne Morkel
11. Imran Tahir

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 2:21 pm
by Big Nipper
handyman wrote:1. De Kock
2. Dean Elgar
3. Faf du Plessis
4. Hashim Amla
5. AB de Villiers
6. JP Duminy
7. Stiaan van Zyl
8. Vernon Philander
9. Dale Steyn
10. Morne Morkel
11. Imran Tahir
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

De Kock opening?

What the fudge have you been smoking?

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 3:03 pm
by handyman
Big Nipper wrote:
handyman wrote:1. De Kock
2. Dean Elgar
3. Faf du Plessis
4. Hashim Amla
5. AB de Villiers
6. JP Duminy
7. Stiaan van Zyl
8. Vernon Philander
9. Dale Steyn
10. Morne Morkel
11. Imran Tahir
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

De Kock opening?

What the fudge have you been smoking?
De Kock is an opener, you idiot. And if AB can't keep, get Quinny in and let him bat where he prefers to bat.

Now bugger of to the shitfuck you call your life.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 3:08 pm
by Killface
handyman wrote:
Big Nipper wrote:
handyman wrote:1. De Kock
2. Dean Elgar
3. Faf du Plessis
4. Hashim Amla
5. AB de Villiers
6. JP Duminy
7. Stiaan van Zyl
8. Vernon Philander
9. Dale Steyn
10. Morne Morkel
11. Imran Tahir
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

De Kock opening?

What the fudge have you been smoking?
De Kock is an opener, you idiot. And if AB can't keep, get Quinny in and let him bat where he prefers to bat.

Now bugger of to the shitfuck you call your life.
Image

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 3:13 pm
by Killface
Interesting to see they've gone with Van Zyl over the previously preferred Ingram and Miller.

Never heard of Piedt, is he any good? Just saw he's an off-spinner.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 3:16 pm
by handyman
Killface wrote:Interesting to see they've gone with Van Zyl over the previously preferred Ingram and Miller.

Never heard of Piedt, is he any good? Just saw he's an off-spinner.
Ingram is a bit of a flat track bully, he struggled to score runs against good sides.
Miller not really a test player.

Piedt got quite a few wickets the last 2 or so seasons. It will be interesting to see how he goes if he gets a chance, but I think it will not be on this tour, except if we get a real dustbowl of a pitch.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 6:49 am
by Big Nipper
handyman wrote:
Big Nipper wrote:
handyman wrote:1. De Kock
2. Dean Elgar
3. Faf du Plessis
4. Hashim Amla
5. AB de Villiers
6. JP Duminy
7. Stiaan van Zyl
8. Vernon Philander
9. Dale Steyn
10. Morne Morkel
11. Imran Tahir
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

De Kock opening?

What the fudge have you been smoking?
De Kock is an opener, you idiot. And if AB can't keep, get Quinny in and let him bat where he prefers to bat.

Now bugger of to the shitfuck you call your life.
Yeah, an opener at ODI level.

How many wicket keepers have gone on to be successful top order batsmen? Just have a look at Sangakarra's numbers when he is not keeping, then go form an educated opinion.

Opening bat isn't some make shift position whereby you only try to take the shine off, you want a guy capable of making tons, and averaging high. This, sadly, is very unlikely if you spend 2 days keeping.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 7:02 am
by Beaver_Shark
Alviro out for 34.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 7:34 am
by Beaver_Shark
SA 111/1 at Lunch.
Elgar 62*, Du Plessis 14*

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 7:38 am
by Big Nipper
Beaver_Shark wrote:SA 111/1 at Lunch.
Elgar 62*, Du Plessis 14*
Decent start.

The toss was crucial today, we needed to bat 1st, I think there may be some purchase for the spinners on day 3 already.

Good approach from Elgar, need to score briskly whilst the conditions allow.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 7:50 am
by Beaver_Shark
Big Nipper wrote:
Beaver_Shark wrote:SA 111/1 at Lunch.
Elgar 62*, Du Plessis 14*
Decent start.

The toss was crucial today, we needed to bat 1st, I think there may be some purchase for the spinners on day 3 already.

Good approach from Elgar, need to score briskly whilst the conditions allow.
Yeah, Herath's been getting a bit of turn with a shiny ball on day 1. Tahir will enjoy seeing that.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 7:53 am
by handyman
Big Nipper wrote:
handyman wrote:
Big Nipper wrote:
handyman wrote:1. De Kock
2. Dean Elgar
3. Faf du Plessis
4. Hashim Amla
5. AB de Villiers
6. JP Duminy
7. Stiaan van Zyl
8. Vernon Philander
9. Dale Steyn
10. Morne Morkel
11. Imran Tahir
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

De Kock opening?

What the fudge have you been smoking?
De Kock is an opener, you idiot. And if AB can't keep, get Quinny in and let him bat where he prefers to bat.

Now bugger of to the shitfuck you call your life.
Yeah, an opener at ODI level.

How many wicket keepers have gone on to be successful top order batsmen? Just have a look at Sangakarra's numbers when he is not keeping, then go form an educated opinion.

Opening bat isn't some make shift position whereby you only try to take the shine off, you want a guy capable of making tons, and averaging high. This, sadly, is very unlikely if you spend 2 days keeping.
All valid points, however we are talking about him opening this test when AB can't keep because of his hamstring. Next test AB is keeping again and Quinton is out of the side.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 8:35 am
by Big Nipper
I think it is time for de Kock to take the gloves, and allow AB to concentrate solely on being the premier batsmen on the planet.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 9:28 am
by OupaStruisbaai
Elgar & Faf doing well. :thumbup: 169/1

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 9:58 am
by Cartman
Elgar gets his 100

Amla is the type of captain every player wants to do well for. Could be exciting new era

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 10:50 am
by Insane_Homer
202/2 Elgar gone for 103

good work today so far :thumbup:

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 11:03 am
by rusted
:lol: Herath has bowled 25 overs out of 67 on day 1 of a test match.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 11:30 am
by Insane_Homer
rusted wrote::lol: Herath has bowled 25 overs out of 67 on day 1 of a test match.
your wicket! :x
73.4
Herath to Amla, OUT, he's gifted a wicket to Sri Lanka! Herath teases him with flight, Amla thinks he can whack him through extra cover but the slower pace messes with his timing and the South Africa captain has to walk back. Except for that unbelievable flick, he did not look cozy out there
HM Amla c Perera b Herath 11 (36b 1x4 0x6) SR: 30.55

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 11:32 am
by Sandstorm
rusted wrote::lol: Herath has bowled 25 overs out of 67 on day 1 of a test match.
Idiot!!! :x

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 11:33 am
by rusted
:blush: it was a comment on the pitch, not a swipe at the mockers!

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 12:08 pm
by Cartman
Faf jou poepol
Could have had a century

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 12:33 pm
by Tehui
Kock likes the pull, doesn't he?

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 12:36 pm
by Rinkals
AB goes.

266 for five.

It was starting to look like a fairly big innings, but has deteriorated to the point where, unless someone else puts their hand up, it's going to be a sub-par score.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 12:40 pm
by OupaStruisbaai
How many overs left for the day?

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 12:45 pm
by Average Joe
Tehui wrote:Kock likes the pull, doesn't he?
pulling kock

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 12:45 pm
by Rinkals
Stumps.

268 for five after 91.

Actually pretty piss-poor. Especially after the start they had.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 12:51 pm
by Killface
I think we can all agree that Rusted is to blame. :thumbdown:

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 12:52 pm
by Big Nipper
Rinkals wrote:Stumps.

268 for five after 91.

Actually pretty piss-poor. Especially after the start they had.
:|

I would have taken that at the start of the day.

You really are a pessimistic piece of work.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 12:58 pm
by OupaStruisbaai
400 will be an excellent score. Hope our quicks can do some damage.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 1:06 pm
by rusted
Killface wrote:I think we can all agree that Rusted is to blame. :thumbdown:
:(

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 4:52 pm
by Rinkals
Big Nipper wrote:
Rinkals wrote:Stumps.

268 for five after 91.

Actually pretty piss-poor. Especially after the start they had.
:|

I would have taken that at the start of the day.

You really are a pessimistic piece of work.
268 for 5? you reckon that's a good score?

It'll be between de Kok and Duminy to carry us to over 350. Philander might get 20 or so, but if those three fail, we'll be a hundred runs or so short of what we should have been looking at when we were 198 for 2.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 6:54 pm
by sorCrer
Killface wrote:I think we can all agree that Rusted is to blame. :thumbdown:
Then the poes tries to deflect attention by throwing in some half cocked comment about the pitch!!!! :x

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 6:39 am
by Rinkals
de Kok and Duminy toddling along to 300 @ just over two runs to the over.

Looks like we should get to 350 at least. Maybe even 400, to make the draw safe.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 6:47 am
by Rinkals
De Kok gets his maiden half-century.

Survives an lbw appeal (pitching just outside leg) next ball.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 6:50 am
by Rinkals
...and he goes.

De Kok, departs, caught WK.

Re: Test Match Cricket: Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 7:03 am
by OupaStruisbaai
400 far in the distance. :(