The Proteas have lost the toss and will bat first in the opening Test against Sri Lanka at Kingsmead.

The Proteas’ hunt for the No 1 spot in the Test rankings continues as they aim to extend their grip on the No 2 position.

The hosts currently sit on 109 points, seven behind India in first place.  With a whitewash win against Sri Lanka, however, they will cut the gap to four points. Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis emphasised this as the priority, despite the distraction of preparing for the World Cup.

The last time the sides met was in July when the Proteas were humiliated in both Tests by Sri Lanka. In both of those Test defeats the Proteas struggled to cope with Sri Lanka’s spin bowlers, and the fact that Durban’s strip has become more conducive to spin than the seamer-friendly surface of the past, could play perfectly into the visitors’ hands.

There are, however, reports that rain showers will play their part in the contest.

ALSO READ: PREVIEW: Proteas vs Sri Lanka (1st Test)

The Proteas have opted for a five-man bowling attack and just five specialist batsmen to ensure they have enough firepower to dismiss Sri Lanka twice. As a result, Theunis de Bruyn and Zubayr Hamza have both been left out of the side.

Sri Lanka opted to give a few new players a run, with debuts handed to Oshada Fernando and Lasith Embuldeniya.

Proteas:
1) Dean Elgar
2) Aiden Markram
3) Hashim Amla
4) Faf du Plessis (c)
5) Temba Bavuma
6) Quinton de Kock (wk)
7) Vernon Philander
8) Kagiso Rabada
9) Dale Steyn
10) Keshav Maharaj
11) Duanne Olivier

Sri Lanka:
1) Kusal Perera
2) Dimuth Karunaratne (c)
3) Kusal Mendis
4) Dhananjaya de Silva
5) Niroshan Dickwella
6) Oshada Fernando
7) Lahiru Thirimanne
8) Suranga Lakmal
9) Vishwa Fernando
10) Kasun Rajitha
11) Lasith Embuldeniya

Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix