South Africa seek elusive series-win

Prince dropped but Peterson, Philander return for 3rd Test.

CAPE TOWN: Stung by a shock defeat in the second Test, South Africa will have to overcome a confident Sri Lanka to gain an elusive home-series win in the third and final Test that starts today.

After winning the first Test by an innings and 81 runs, South Africa seemed set to break a sequence of four successive home series which they have failed to win, but a surprising turnaround from Sri Lanka saw the hosts crash to a 208-run loss in the next match.

The hosts will now have to prove their credentials after a year of moderate results, and despite calls for drastic changes, the selectors have only made two: opener Alviro Peterson coming in for Ashwell Prince and fast-bowler Vernon Philander returning from injury.

After their historic win in Durban, which has been acclaimed as one of the country’s greatest Test achievements, Sri Lanka are unlikely to make changes.

“Everyone has given 100 per cent for the team,” said captain Tillakaratne Dilshan, who is keen to improve on his own form in the third Test. “I want to do a lot of things with my batting. I’m looking forward to Cape Town. If I can get a start I would like to get a big score.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2012.