The "Other" Boxing Day series promises to be a treat

Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel - The key men for South Africa

As an Aussie supporter through and through, i’m going to be taking a keener interest in this South Africa- Sri Lanka test series, as both have recently come off Tests against the Baggy Green’s. Sri Lanka was a great tour, Australia winning it with the emergence of Lyon & Trent Copeland a plus, and a first series win for new skipper Michael Clarke. It must be said though; Sri Lanka’s seam attack was quite lacklustre with the old ball. The South Africa tests was like having a packet of two minute noodles as your dinner- patches of brilliance, but in the end, it didn’t quite hit the spot. The 47 all out debacle to a record 4^th innings run chase was a big turn in fortune, but guys like Vernon Philander with 14 wickets in two tests, and leggie Imran Tahir- there was a lot of positive’s to take out for the Proteas.

Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, South Africa’s two lethal opening bowlers didn’t have a great Australian series by their lofty standards, but against a Sri Lankan side that isn’t quite adapt to facing fast bouncy wickets, the two new ball kings may seek vengeance in a big way. The Proteas will have much the same line up that last faced the Aussies, except with batsman Alviro Peterson and uncapped fast bowler Marchant de Lang (who took 5/56 against Australia for Sth Africa A last month) the two inclusions. I doubt de Lang will come in, but Peterson could, and left hander Jacques Rudolph would make way , although dropping someone with that name at this time of year isn’t really getting in the spirit of things is it?

For Sri Lanka, times have been tough. Players have gone months without pay, and disputes with boards and coaches has been a sideshow to the cricket, and the XI have done well to keep going and trying to win games of cricket. The likes of Dilshan, Sangakarra and the stylish Mahela Jaywardene will have to carry the bulk of work with bat in hand. In the bowling department, names like Welegedara, Lakmal and Eranga didn’t put fear into Australia’s eyes with the new ball in hand, so quick Dilhara Fernando has been included (and took 4-99 in a tour game two days ago), as has mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis (Imran Tahir is a tri hard version of him). Welegedara, Fernando and vice captain and all rounder Angelo Mathews, who was unable to bowl against Australia due to injuries will be the likely seam attack, with either Mendis or more experienced left arm tweaker, Rangana Herath to do spin duties, with skipper Dilshan to bowl part time offies to make his averages look good.

All in all, I think South Africa will win this series quite comfortably, mostly due to the extra seam and swing that the wickets offer, although spin will be a factor too. Players to watch from either side is Dale Steyn, he’s due for a biggie, and for the Lankans, Angelo Mathews to do it with both bat and ball. And just one final thing, 3 tests in a few weeks against Sri Lanka, but countless ODI’s and only two tests against bitter rival Australia?

The Globe Trotter,