SA in SL: Sri Lanka elect to bat in first Test at Galle

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat against South Africa in the first Test of the two-match series, which began at Galle International Stadium a short while ago today (12).

Sri Lanka will field a team that includes three spinners, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan as Suranga Lakmal leads the side. 

Left-handed opener Danushka Gunathilaka has been named into the playing XI to partner Dimuth Karunaratne while fast bowler Lahiru Kumara has been left out. 

Former skipper Angelo Mathews joins the team which includes a strong middle order. 

South Africa has named two spinners, both left-armers -- Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi -- while posing a strong pace attack with three seamers -- Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada.

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunarathne, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Roshen Silva,  Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal (Captain), Lakshan Sandakan.

South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Faf Du Plessis (Captain), Quinton De Kock (wk), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.