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South African coach Mark Boucher believes his workforce is able to defeating Sri Lanka within the two-Test sequence which begins at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Saturday. “We’re in a rebuilding phase and we’ve got some youngsters around but we’re playing in conditions that suit us better than the opposition,” mentioned Boucher on Friday.
“If we hit our straps and execute the plans we’ve put in place I think we’ll give ourselves a very good chance to win against them.”
Sri Lanka have received their most up-to-date 4 Tests towards South Africa, together with a shock 2-Zero sequence win on their tour two seasons in the past.
“I didn’t watch a lot of it,” Boucher mentioned of the 2018/19 sequence, “but it’s something we can channel to our advantage. We can’t just coast into this as a team.”
South Africa have a robust document at Centurion, which incorporates wins in all 4 earlier Tests towards Sri Lanka on the venue.
Boucher mentioned there have been “a couple of niggles” involving quick bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Glenton Stuurman that will delay the ultimate collection of a enjoying eleven.
Both got here by intensive coaching on Thursday with none obvious issues however Boucher mentioned they might should be assessed after an evening’s relaxation.
Sri Lanka even have an damage concern, with Suranga Lakmal nursing a hamstring pressure. Lakmal was described by coach Mickey Arthur earlier within the week as “the leader of our attack”.
Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne instructed journalists on Thursday that he believed his workforce may match South Africa within the high quality of their tempo bowling. “If you look at pace, we’re about equal,” he mentioned.
“I think the batsmen will be the difference. Whoever has the better batting side has a good chance of winning the series.”
Both groups are staying at a rustic membership close to Pretoria inside straightforward driving distance of the Test venues in Centurion and Johannesburg.
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With a surge in Covid-19 infections in South Africa, each Tests shall be performed with out spectators.
Neither facet has performed a red-ball worldwide since January, when South Africa completed 3-1 losers in a house sequence towards England whereas Sri Lanka have been profitable a two-match sequence 1-Zero in Zimbabwe.
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