2nd Test Sri Lanka vs South Africa Live Cricket Streaming Preview

South Africa Vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Match – With the disappointment of losing the 1st Test on the last day fresh in their minds, Sri Lanka begin today’s (24th July, 2014) 2nd match against South Africa at the Colombo Cricket Stadium (SSC) with a lot at stake. After having been in a position that could have led to victory, Sri Lanka were blown away on the final day by the imposing fast bowling of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. South Africa, with their tails up and momentum behind them, would be looking to build upon their win and go all guns blazing as soon as the match begins in earnest. The pitch at the SSC stadium has historically been slow, devoid of any grass and favors the batsmen from the get go. The only real assistance for the bowlers has traditionally come in the 1st session of day one, where by Faster men willing to bend their backs have had some help to nip the bowl of the surface and also get some carry off it.

The Sri Lankan team is expected to see two changes from the 1st Test match. Kithuruwan Vitanage, the young and talented batsman from Colombo, looks set to play in place of the badly out of form, Lahiru Thirimanne. The retched run of Thirimanne means that Vitanage, a much touted future prospect for Sri Lanka, gets to play at his home stadium against one of the best bowling units in the world. Keeping in mind that the only Test matches Vitanage has played to date are against the lowly Bangladeshis, this should turn out to be a much sterner test. Sri Lanka have also called in Niroshan Dickwella, the 21 year old wicket keeping batsmen to replace the ailing Dinesh Chandimal behind the stumps. Dickwella, who had been playing cricket in the UK just days ago, is expected to make his debut and keep wickets at the SSC Stadium. Both changes have been made keeping in mind the current needs of the team, but also importantly with an eye to the future of Sri Lankan cricket. Even with these changes though, the Sri Lankan team would once again be looking towards the legendary and soon-to-be retiring duo of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakarra to provide the much needed batting stability in the Sri Lankan line up.  With some form behind them, the duos role shall be crucial in determining the fate of the Sri Lankan team in this and the remaining matches of the series.

South Africa Vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Live Online: crictime-streaming

South Africa on the other hand are expected to go in with the same side that won on the final day at Galle. The three pacers, i.e, Steyn, Morkel and Vernon Philander should be leading the line up as always, with Imran Tahir playing his part as the lone spinner in the side. Tahir’s performances off late have left much to desire, but still, his role in the team is crucial given the traditional slow state of the SSC Stadium’s pitch. The batting line up is expected to remain same, with AB De Villiers again handing the gloves to the talented Quinten De Cock. This seems to be the way the South Africans have planned for the future with their multi dimensional limited overs captain De Villiers handing over the gloves to focus more on his batting and leading roles.

If the form book at the SSC Stadium is anything to go by, the match would very well end in a dull draw, but, with Sri Lanka already being 1-0 down in the series, a different approach might be needed to come up on top come the last day of the match. South Africa on the other hand would like to stick to the plans that worked at Galle, and hope to take the series by clinching this match at the SSC Stadium.