Sri Lanka wins toss and chooses to field in crucial test against South Africa
- Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to field in the first cricket test against South Africa.
- Sri Lanka's team includes three fast bowlers and one spinner, while South Africa has also named their playing XI.
- The outcome of the test match is crucial for both teams in the World Test Championship standings.
In the first cricket test held in Durban, South Africa, Sri Lanka has opted to field after winning the toss on November 27, 2024. The match is significant as both teams are competing for important points in the World Test Championship, with Sri Lanka currently positioned third and South Africa fourth, trailing behind Australia, India, and New Zealand. Sri Lanka's decision to field is supported by their previous successes in South Africa, specifically their notable achievement in 2019 when they were the first Asian team to win a series there. Seven players from the current squad participated in that historic 2-0 win over South Africa, underscoring their confidence heading into this match. Despite playing on foreign soil, Sri Lanka has proven its mettle at Kingsmead, where they have won all three tests played to date. On the other hand, South Africa arrives in this series after recently securing victories in away series against both West Indies and Bangladesh, adding pressure on the home side to perform. The teams have already settled on their respective lineups, with South Africa announcing their XI the day before the match. Sri Lanka features a balanced team with three fast bowlers and one spinner, highlighting their strategy tailored to the conditions. The second test is scheduled to begin in Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha, on December 5.