Proteas Steyn

South African bowler Dale Steyn appeals for a decision against Sri Lankan batsman Lahiru Thirimanne during the first day of the first Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at The Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on February 13, 2019. (Photo by Anesh DEBIKY / AFP)

South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test preview: Live stream, session times and team news

South Africa face Sri Lanka in a must-win second Test at St George’s Park, beginning on Thursday morning.

Proteas Steyn

South African bowler Dale Steyn appeals for a decision against Sri Lankan batsman Lahiru Thirimanne during the first day of the first Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at The Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on February 13, 2019. (Photo by Anesh DEBIKY / AFP)

Date: 21-25 February

Start time: 10:00

Venue: St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth

TV and live stream: Supersport 2, SABC 3

South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test: Overview

The Proteas find themselves in a position they would not have envisioned ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka at St George’s Park, beginning on Thursday morning.

The hosts are 1-0 down in the two-match series and cannot settle for anything less than a victory as they look to prevent the hosts from a historic Test series win on South African soil.

This is after they were stunned in the first match in Durban, as they had Sri Lanka nine wickets down with 78 runs for victory before Kusal Perera’s heroics brought about a second win at Kingsmead for the tourists.

South Africa had gone into the fourth day, which turned out to be the last, a bowler short, as all-rounder, Vernon Philander pulled out with a hamstring injury, which has ruled him out of the second Test.

This could see the uncapped Wiaan Mulder earn his debut in Port Elizabeth, should the selectors opt for a like-for-like replacement.

However, the Proteas’ long-standing batting woes could see them opt for an extra batsman instead of an all-rounder, which sees Theunis de Bruyn and Zubayr Hamza in the running for a spot in the playing XI.

Squads

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Duanne Olivier, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn.

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Niroshan Dickwella, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Milinda Siriwardana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Mohamed Shiraz, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Embuldeniya.