November 08 Friday 2002
Clash of objectives as South Africa meet Sri Lanka

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa and Sri Lanka have starkly differing objectives as they go into the first Test which starts at the Wanderers on Friday. 

While the South Africans have made it clear that all cricket this season is geared towards winning next year's World Cup on home soil, Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya has more immediate goals in mind. 

"It's really great to be able to play five one day internationals in South Africa with the World Cup coming up," Jayasuriya told reporters on arrival in Johannesburg last month. 

"But our emphasis on this tour is the Test matches because we have never done well here." 

"The pitches haven't suited us in the past but this time we are better prepared," he said. 

Although Sri Lanka's batsmen have prospered in their two warm-up matches, both were on the flattest of batting tracks in Kimberley and Lenasia. Neither pitch is likely to bear any great resemblance to the one which has been prepared at the Wanderers. 

South Africa are thirsting for revenge after the itinerary handed to them on their last tour of Sri Lanka just over two years ago. 

Having warmed up on green, seaming wickets, Shaun Pollock's team played the first Test at spin friendly Galle and were promptly thrashed, with champion off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan taking 13 for 171. 

South Africa aim to employ exactly the same plan on home territory - but in reverse. 

The track at the Wanderers is expected to retain all the characteristics of the 'green mamba' which saw England reduced to two for four after being put into bat in the first Test on their last tour of South Africa. 

The toss could therefore be crucial, and if Sri Lanka find themselves asked to bat first, they are likely to undergo the sternest Test of their improved preparation. 

South Africa have the option of going into the game with five seamers, with 37 year-old paceman Steve Elworthy likely to be recalled for his first Test three years after last appearing for his country. His lower order ability with the bat would also strengthen an already powerful South African batting line up.

Elworthy's inclusion in the squad of 13 would appear to be a short term move in a South African season entirely focused upon winning the World Cup for the first time.

This is the Sri Lankans' third tour since South Africa's readmission to the world game and they have yet to win a Test. Four have been lost with the draw at Durban in December 2000 secured largely thanks to several rain interruptions.

South Africa (from): Shaun Pollock (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Graeme Smith, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher, Andrew Hall, Claude Henderson, Makhaya Ntini, Steve Elworthy, Mornantau Hayward. 

Sri Lanka (from): Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Russell Arnold, Hashan Tillekaratne, Jehan Mubarak, Hasantha Fernando, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Sujeewa de Silva, Chamila Gamage, Thilina Thushara, Tharanga Lakshitha, Muttiah Muralitharan, Prasanna Jayawardene.