South Africa vs Sri Lanka Test series: 5 big factors that will decide the series

Last time Sri Lanka toured South Africa, the world witnessed one of the most unexpected outcomes from a Test series. First, Kusal Perera played an all-time classic innings to achieve a most unexpected victory for his team in the first Test and then, a clinical performance in the second gave the Lankans their first-ever Test series win in South Africa. 

Now, as the Sri Lankans return, the Proteas are still trying to recover from the devastation caused to them in the year 2019 and, in the first half of 2020 also. Following the upset loss to Lanka at home, the South Africans performed poorly in the World Cup, got whitewashed in India and were thoroughly beaten at home by England. 

South Africa are in desperate need of a good win to get themselves back on track. Sri Lanka are a good team to start this attempt as resurrection. But the Proteas would know better than anybody not to take the islanders lightly. 

This will also be the first series for Quinton de Kock as Test captain. He is up against a team that, in the last few years, has never looked like a dangerous side. But somehow, the Sri Lankans were able to turn the tables in the last series. Before that two-match contest in South Africa, the Lankans had hosted South Africa and had pulverised them on spin-friendly pitches. 

So, South Africa would be looking for revenge and finally, putting an end to the winning streak that Sri Lanka have against them. Let's look at the five biggest factors on which the outcome of the series would hinge. 

South Africa's Batting

When the Proteas lost at home against Sri Lanka, the biggest culprit was their very poor batting. Against a very ordinary looking bowling attack, the home side failed to put up big scores. The batting woes continued for them in the tour of India and also the series at home against England. 

So, the South African batting would again be in focus. For becoming a top side again, they would have to raise their performances with the bat. Quinton de Kock has been the most consistent performer for his team. But he hasn't got much support from others. du Plessis hasn't done well for an extended period of time in this format. 

Dean Elgar has played good innnings but has been inconsistent. Only Rassie van der Dussen has shown himself to be up to the challenge in the last couple of years. Against Sri Lanka, South Africa's hunt for batting strength will continue. Whether they find the answers or not may decide the fate of the series. 

Struggles Against Spin

When South Africa were the no. 1 Test team in the world, they had Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla, and AB de Villiers in their batting line-up. These three were exceptionally good players of spin bowling also, apart from their other great traits. Now, with all three of them gone, the ability to play spin has become an even bigger weakness for the Proteas side. 

In 2018, they were dismantled by the Sri Lankan spinners on turning pitches, which the Proteas camp felt were unfair. However, this criticism seeemd meaningless when in 2019, they lost to the same team at home, and again conceded a fair amount of wickets to spinners. 

Against India, they again looked inept when playing the turning ball and allowed even Dom Bess and Joe Root to pick up wickets in South African conditions earlier this year. While Sri Lanka don't have any world-beating spinnners at the moment, there are big question marks against Proteas batsmen's skills playing tweakers. Whether they get over their weakness or not will also be an important factor in this series. 

Will Embuldeniya Shine Again?

Sri Lanka have a very weak bowling attack, at least on paper. But in their last few series, it's been Lasith Embuldeniya who has been making an impact. He has been a regular wicket-taker. Now, Sri Lanka have been seeking a successor to Rangana Herath since his retirement. Will Embuldeniya be the one? Others such as Dilruwan Perera haven't risen to the occassion. 

If Embuldeniya is to be a long-term prospect for Sri Lanka, he has to show his mettle again. This series will give us a good idea of his abilities. 

Pressure on Ngidi

South Africa are going into this series without their leading paceman Kagiso Rabada. This means it would be Lungi Ngidi who would be the leader of the attack. He made his debut in January 2018. This would be a big Test for the pacer. He has been impressive in his career but can he shoulder the responsibility of leading the bowling charge for his team? That's a big question that would form a sub-plot of this series. 

Faf on Trial

Faf du Plessis is the most high-profile batsman in the South African team. However, his form has diminished in recent times. He has quit captaincy and even took a break in international cricket. He is now back in the team but if he has another bad series, the former captain may consider quitting Test cricket altogether. 

His friend and former teammate AB de Villiers quit international cricket all of a sudden and has decided to ply his trade in T20 leagues. If he doesn't succeed again, du Plessis may follow the same route. 

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