SA vs SL Dream11 Team Prediction Tips for 1st Test South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 26-30 December

SA vs SL Dream11: South Africa and Sri Lanka will be up against each other in the Boxing Day test match here at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The memories of SL’s last tour to South Africa are still fresh where Sri Lanka historically clean swept the hosts in the Test series. South Africa are going through a transition period but need a win desperately to gain some much needed confidence. Recent Covid cases and England’s pullout has made this series even more important for them. Senior players like Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock need to step up and lead the batting. Markram needs runs under his belt to repay the faith that SA team management has shown on him. The bowling looks thin with the absence of Rabada though Ngidi and Nortje pose a serious threat in these pitches.
Sri Lanka surprisingly, hasn’t lost a test to SA since 2018. On all 4 occasions, they have trumped SA which will be a boost for them. The success in the last tour will be fresh in the minds of every Sri Lankan fan and SL will look to repeat that feat. Many players of that squad were part of this tour. Skipper Karunaratne provides them the much needed solidity at the top while Chandimal has been in the mix for a while now. Kusal Perera played one of the greatest Test innings in the last tour and will be important to SL’s chances this time too. The bowling led by Suranga Lakmal played an important role in that tour and him along with Vishwa Fernando will be key here. Expect Sri Lanka to give a tough fight to a South African team which is slightly low in confidence.

SA vs SL Dream11 match details
Fixture name: 1st Test, South Africa vs Sri Lanka
Series: Sri Lanka tour of South Africa, 2020-21
Date: 26-30 December, 2020
Time: 1:30 PM IST
Ground: SuperSport Park, Centurion
Brief score of the last result at the venue: South Africa 284 & 272 beat England 181 & 268 by 107 runs on Dec 26-Dec 29, 2019.
Team Form:
SA (recent last) L W L L L
SL (recent last) L D L W D
ICC Test Rankings: SA 6, SL 5
Pitch Report: Centurion produces a good wicket with an even bounce. The first session of the first day will be important and with the new ball, fast bowlers will fancy their chances on a pitch that has a green tinge on it. The pitch will get better for batting as the day progresses and spinners will come into play Day 3 onwards. Thunderstorms are expected on Sunday in the afternoon.

SA vs SL Playing 11
SA Team News
Injury update, unavailability- With Rabada out due to groin injury, Glenton Stuurman is in line to make his debut. Injury clouds hang over the fitness of Lungi Ngidi and Lutho Sipamla is next in line to play if he is unfit.
Expected team changes- From the last Test against England, SA is likely to bring in Markram, Maharaj, Stuurman and Ngidi (if he is fit). These are likely to replace Pieter Malan, Philander, Hendricks and Paterson.
Team Combination:
Markram and Elgar will open with Van der Dussen at No.3.
There will be the experience of Du Plessis, Bavuma and De Kock in the middle order.
Nortje, Ngidi (if fit) and debutant Stuurman are expected to be the three seamers with Maharaj being the specialist spinner.
SA Team 11 (probable)
A Markram
D Elgar
R van der Dussen
F du Plessis
T Bavuma
Q de Kock (C) (wk)
D Pretorius
K Maharaj
A Nortje
G Stuurman
L Ngidi/ L Sipamla

SL Team News
Injury update, unavailability- Oshada Fernando’s hamstring injury has made him unavailable. Dasun Shanaka is likely to replace him. Lakmal also has picked up a hamstring niggle and if unfit, he will be replaced by Kasun Rajitha.
Expected team changes- From the last Test against Zimbabwe, SL are likely to bring in Kusal Perera and Dasun Shanaka in place of Oshada Fernando and Angelo Mathews.
Team Combination:
In absence of Fernando, Kusal Mendis will likely open the innings along with skipper Karunaratne with Dinesh Chandimal at No.3.
Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva and Dasun Shanaka will be in the middle order with Dickwella to keep wickets.
Lakmal (if fit) and Vishwa Fernando will be the new ball bowlers with Kumara the first change.
SL Team 11 (probable)
D Karunaratne (C)
K Mendis
D Chandimal
K Perera
D de Silva
D Shanaka
N Dickwella (wk)
S Lakmal/ K Rajitha
L Embuldeniya
V Fernando
L Kumara

SA vs SL Today Match Prediction: Who will win SA vs SL Dream11 match today?
Being the home team, South Africa will start the series as favorites though they are going through a difficult phase. Their recent home record hasn’t been great and Sri Lanka will target that. SA has lost their last 3 matches at home which is a cause of concern. The last time SL visited here, they created history by defeating the hosts 2-0. But they will know those moments come very rarely and to repeat that, they will have to play out of their skin. Both teams have some exciting talents and a close contest is expected in the SA vs SL Today Match Prediction.

SA vs SL Dream11 Prediction, Captain & Differential Picks, Fantasy Cricket Tips
D Elgar- Elgar is an established opener in world cricket. He is an experienced cricketer now and is known to play long innings on tough batting wickets. His role will be important against a skillful SL bowling attack.
Test Career: Runs 3888, Avg. 38
Elgar vs SL: Runs 529, Avg. 31

F du Plessis- The most experienced cricketer in this line-up, Faf will have a big responsibility on his shoulders given South Africa’s recent form. For SA to get back on track, Faf needs to lead the batting from the front.
Test Career: Runs 3901, Avg. 40
Du Plessis vs SL: Runs 667, Avg. 44

Q de Kock- De Kock will be leading the side for the first time in tests. He has a very good record in test matches and has played many useful cameos down the order. His consistency makes him a topmost pick in the SA vs SL Dream11 Prediction.
Test Career: Runs 2934, Avg. 39
De Kock vs SL: Runs 669, Avg. 39

D Karunaratne- The skipper is the rock of this Sri Lankan batting order. He led the team to a historic series win the last time they came here. SL will require a good start from their premier run-scorer.
Test Career: Runs 4524, Avg. 37
Karunaratne vs SA: Runs 570, Avg. 44

K Perera- Perera was the architect of that historic series win in SA. He played a once in a lifetime innings in the first test of that series and his attacking instincts are an important part of SL’s batting order. His ability to counter attack on bouncy wickets is hard to ignore while making a fantasy team.
Test Career: Runs 934, Avg. 31
Perera vs SA: Runs 237, Avg. 59

L Kumara- Lahiru Kumara’s pace makes him an interesting bowler in these conditions. He will enjoy the bounce from the surface and may trouble the opposition batsmen if he finds right lengths.
Test Career: Wkts 67, Bowl Avg. 36
Kumara vs SA: Wkts 11, Bowl Avg. 26

Differential Picks
A Nortje- Nortje has been impressed everyone in the limited overs cricket but hasn’t played many Tests yet. He consistently bowls over 140 kph and his high pace and accuracy will be an important factor in this game.
Test Career: Wkts 19, Bowl Avg. 35

V Fernando- The left-arm seamer was one of the main factors of the historic series win over SA. He can pick up wickets at regular intervals. His accuracy combined with his ability to swing the ball makes him a threat to the opposition batsmen.
Test Career: Wkts 23, Bowl Avg. 33
Fernando vs SA: Wkts 12, Bowl Avg. 18
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