DURBAN (AP) – Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field in the first cricket test against South Africa yesterday.
South Africa had already announced its playing XI on the eve of the test and there were no late changes. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, went with three fast bowlers in Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando and Lahiru Kumara with the lone spinner in Prabath Jayasuriya.
Sri Lanka is third on the World Test Championship table and South Africa is fourth. They trail Australia, India and New Zealand.
Previous results in South Africa and particularly at Durban will give Sri Lanka some confidence.
Sri Lanka is the only Asian team to have beaten South Africa at home in a series, in 2019. Seven players in the current squad played roles in that 2-0 sweep. And in Durban, Sri Lanka has won all three tests it has played at Kingsmead.
South Africa is coming off away series wins over West Indies and Bangladesh.
