South Africa vs Sri Lanka Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2nd Test
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On the back of thrashing Sri Lanka in the opening Test of this two-match set, South Africa only need to avoid defeat in Gqeberha to complete a series win.
Date/Time: Thursday December 5th 2024: US PST – 12:30am / US EST – 3:30am / UK – 8:30am
Venue: Dafabet St George's Park, Gqeberha, South Africa
Weather: Cloudy across all five days, but sunny spells should break out in patches whilst the only threat of rain appears to come in Day 5.
How To Watch On TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Willow TV
How To Watch Online: UK – Sky Go / US – Willow TV
South Africa Form: Confidence high after four successive wins
South Africa maintained their excellent recent run of results with them not just winning cricket matches, but winning them comprehensively. Their latest triumph saw the Proteas firmly on top after skittling Sri Lanka for just 42, giving them a healthy first innings lead of 149 runs, which they eventually turned into a 233-run-victory.
LAST THREE: WWW
Sri Lanka Form: Batting calamity ruins all hard work
Sri Lanka’s three Test win streak came to an end in miserable style after one innings of madness which saw their batters throw wickets away and ultimately be bowled out for their lowest ever Test score of 42. Salvaging the contest was always going to be a bridge too far from then on with South Africa too far ahead. How the tourists respond to such a humiliating loss will be most intriguing.
LAST THREE: LWW
South Africa Betting Analysis
Sri Lanka’s first innings meltdown in Durban was triggered by Marco Jansen, whose skiddy left-arm pace bowling was simply too good for his opponents. Whether it be catching chances or disturbing the stumps, Jansen bagged a seven-wicket haul and 11 in the match as a whole. Although replicating that here won’t be easy, the tall Jansen should still find himself right in among the wickets again at St. George’s Park. Back him to finish as South Africa’s top first innings bowler with an additional streak on Jansen to grab 5+ wickets at decent value odds.
Sri Lanka Betting Analysis
The real worry for Sri Lanka is whether their top order will be able to stand up in the face of what will be some quality South African bowling. That’s a tricky task and it would be no surprise they ended up losing early wickets when the time comes for them to bat. Bettors can explore capitalising on this outcome though, specifically for Sri Lanka’s opening partnership to be worth less than 22.5 match runs.
South Africa vs Sri Lanka Expert Prediction
South Africa just looked by far the strong side across the board in the first Test and clearly confidence is no issue among the hosts following recent red ball results. It’s just a shame they don’t play enough Test cricket for us to see them continue that progression consistently. However, when taking about the here and now, the Proteas are well placed to extend their winning run to five Tests in a row.
South Africa vs Sri Lanka Tip: South Africa to win
