Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath warns South Africa to expect more spin in second Test

Sport360 staff 17:18 19/07/2018
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  • Master of the spin: Herath (left)

    Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath has warned South Africa they will have to deal with more spin in the second Test, which begins on Friday.

    The Proteas must win the game in Colombo to tie the two-match Test series after losing the opening Test in Galle inside three days after being bowled out for 126 and 73.

    Herath, who took five wickets and off-spinner Dilruwan Perera (10-78) were the bowlers to impress and Herath has warned the South African batsmen to expect a tough time.

    “If you see the surface, it’s dry. It will be more of a spin friendly surface,” the 40-year-old veteran spinner said.

    “We have Dilruwan (Perera) and if we require we also have Dhananjaya (de Silva). He couldn’t bowl in Galle, but he is certainly ready to bowl during games.”

    If Sri Lanka win or draw in Colombo, it would be their first Test series win against South Africa since 2006.

    South Africa captain Faf du Plessis says his team will rely on pacers Kasigo Rabada, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander to frustrate Sri Lanka.

    “If it doesn’t rain, then we will have a dangerous weapon in our fast bowlers. Once again we have to make a call as to whether we are playing three seamers or two spinners,” Du Plessis said.

    “It is never easy winning away from home. When you are coming to the sub-continent, drawing a series is as good as winning a series,” he said.

    “It’s tough and that’s what the best teams do. We need to get to that number one position in Test cricket.”

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