South Africa vs Sri Lanka
It is all to play for cricket betting fans, and there are so many imponderables.
Two test matches in the Galle International Stadium await as the Proteas tour Sri Lanka.
Positive cricket, the spin challenge and a ball-tampering controversy are just a few of the issues being debated by SBOBET followers in the build-up.
Talking Points
Where do we start?!
The team news is usually a good place.
Sri Lanka are sweating on the fitness of some of their key men.
Top-order batsman Kusal Janith Perera has been pencilled into the squad despite crashing into the boundary hoardings against the West Indies and requiring five stitches.
He will be assessed although he has since played in the third and final test against the West Indies in Barbados, as will veteran spinner Rangana Herath who sustained a hand injury which forced him to miss that match.
Then there is the ban hanging over the head of skipper Dinesh Chandimal with the betting odds high on him being suspended after he admitted breaching the ICC code of conduct during that drawn test series against the Windies.
The hosts could certainly do without that ball tampering controversy rearing its head on the eve of this fixture.
With head coach Chandika Hathurusingha and manager Asanka Gurusinha also charged and facing suspension from the series, Sri Lanka really may struggle to have their full focus on cricket until the outcome is known just before the test.
Then there is the story of right-arm leg spinner Jeffrey Vandersay who was sent home from the West Indies for disciplinary reasons and whose conduct is now being assessed.
In the absence of Chandimal, expect to see vice-captain Suranga Lakmal promoted to take over the captaincy duties.
Compared to Sri Lanka, South Africa appear to have had a fairly low key build-up.
The absence of recently retired AB de Villiers is huge, of course, but captain Faf du Plessis has plenty of players he can rely on.
The return of speedster Dale Steyn after a two-year spell disrupted by injury – who naturally looked rusty with 12 wicketless overs for 52 runs in the recent tour game – is an undoubted boost as he eases back to full fitness after missing both the Test series against India and the subsequent series victory against Australia.
Ironically, the conditions in Galle may better suit the slower men, but Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada says he is fit and raring to go ahead of the first Test.
This is his first trip to Sri Lanka and his second on the subcontinent after his debut tour to India in 2015.
Apart from when he claimed Virat Kohli as his first test wicket, Rabada has had a relatively slow start to his test career and this experience could be a real eye-opener and a real test of bowling.
Coach Ottis Gibson has urged his side to be positive and said he was ‘open’ to his side playing two spinners in the first test but only after he has taken the pitch into consideration.
Pacers are certainly part of his plan to gain victory, even if the dusty conditions await them, with three spinners and two pacers likely to feature in the opening test.
Play to your strengths seems to be Gibson’s motto.
The teams play two Tests, five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 International as part of the tour.
This is where it all starts. It could be spin test city!
History
Of the 12 previous tests between the sides in Sri Lanka, South Africa have won three and lost four.
The most recent head to head encounters between the nations in this format came in South Africa 18 or so months ago – over the Christmas/New Year period in 2016/17. Then the Proteas secured a clean sweep by winning all three encounters comprehensively.
The Proteas were last in Sri Lanka in 2014 when they triumphed in a two-match series 1-0. After a first test victory, also in Galle, they drew the second match in Colombo by 153 runs.
What are the odds?
South Africa seem set to face another trial by spin, but it must be remembered not only have they prevailed in Sri Lanka before. They look a more reliable betting proposition than their opponents.
As far as the online bookmakers are concerned, South Africa’s tag as favourites is justified by the 1X2 availability of South Africa @ 2.00 and Sri Lanka @ 3.975.
The draw will get you sports betting odds @ 2.40.
As far as Asian Handicap betting goes, Sri Lanka are priced @ 0.00 @ 2.85 with the tourists @ 1.40.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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