Prolific opener Markram ready for new challenge

Chandimal named in Sri Lanka Test squad despite suspension threat

COLOMBO, July 5, (RTRS): Opener Aiden Markram is looking forward the challenge of his maiden Test series outside of South Africa as well as the return of seamer Dale Steyn as the Proteas prepare for the first Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka in Galle on July 12.

Markram has scored exactly 1,000 runs at an average of 55.55 in his first 10 tests, all at home, as he helped South Africa to series successes against India and Australia earlier in the year.

But on lower, slower turning wickets in Sri Lanka, he admits it will be an altogether new challenge.

“I would like to do well this tour because it is outside of South Africa. You don’t want to be labelled as a guy who only does well in home conditions,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“We tried our best before we came here to simulate the conditions of how we think it is going to play.

“At home the wickets do get lower in winter compared to summer, so that naturally helped us. And then we batted in different creases, worn-out creased and that kind of thing, to try and simulate some spin.”

Seamer Steyn returns to the squad after two years of injury setbacks and finds himself three short of breaking all-rounder Shaun Pollock’s South African record of 421 Test wickets.

Markram says that while it is a major milestone for one of cricket’s great fast bowlers, it has not been a topic of discussion in

Markram

the camp.

“Dale in any conditions is great to have back in the camp. He brings a wealth of knowledge, a good energy and a buzz to the side. With ball in hand he is one of the best in the world,” Markram said.

Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal has been named in the squad for the two-Test series against South Africa, even though he may be unavailable due to suspension.

Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusingha and manager Asanka Gurusinha have admitted breaching the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) code of conduct after the team delayed play during the second Test against the West Indies last month.

The minimum punishment for the offence is suspension from two tests for Chandimal, with the hearing due to be held on Tuesday — two days before the start of the first Test against the Proteas.

Sri Lanka have

also included Rangana Herath and Kusal Perera in the 16-man squad but their participation is subject to fitness.

Spinner Herath split the webbing on his bowling hand ahead of the third Test against the Windies, while Perera collided with a boundary hoarding during the final Test on the tour.

All-rounder Angelo Mathews has returned to the squad after he left the West Indies tour to attend the birth of his second child.

Sri Lanka will host the first Test in Galle which begins on July 12, before moving to Colombo for the second Test from July 20.

Full squad: Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Angelo Mathews, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera (subject to fitness), Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath (subject to fitness), Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Lahiru Kumara, Lakshan Sandakan, Kasun Rajitha.