Sri Lanka eager to hit back after Test loss

Mathews looks to start afresh as South African skipper du Plessis defends giving players a rest

Sri Lanka are eager to regain some pride after a dismal Test series when they start the limited-overs section of their tour with the first of three Twenty20 internationals today.

They will face an inexperienced South African team in the T20 series before playing the hosts in five One Day Internationals. “Hopefully we can start afresh,” said Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews after a 3-0 Test series whitewash which he said was the worst defeat of his captaincy.

“We have some fresh faces in the T20 team and hopefully we can beat South Africa. We have still got a long way to go in South Africa so we need to keep our heads high.”

All three Tests were played on pitches designed to help South Africa’s fast bowlers but the tourists can look forward to more batsmenfriendly pitches, starting at SuperSport Park in Centurion this week.

Sri Lanka will also be relieved not to face Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander, the bowlers most responsible for their destruction in the Tests.

Left-arm fast bowler Wayne Parnell is the only current Test player in a South African T20 squad which includes five international newcomers.

Faf du Plessis, the Test and regular T20 captain, is among those rested, with batsman Farhaan Behardien taking over the captaincy.

“I understand that people would like to see the Proteas with their strongest team,” said du Plessis.

“But the vision looking forward is that with the importance of certain formats coming up in the next six to eight months, right now T20 is not as important as one-dayers and Test cricket, so it is important to give guys some time to rest.”

South Africa are expected to be at full-strength for the one-day internationals as both teams work towards the Champions Trophy in England in June.