Morne Morkel makes welcome return:

South Africans will miss Dale Steyn

Five 50 over and 3 Twenty20 games on the cards:

ELMO RODRIGOPULLE

The Sri Lankan cricketers now in the West Indies for a tri series tournament which also includes India and West Indies, will when they return pad up to face South Africa in Five 50 over and 3 Twenty20 games in Sri Lanka beginning with the first game on July20 at the R.Premadasa Stadium.

The Lankans and South Africans made it to the semi-finals of the International Cricket Council’s Champions Trophy in England, but choked being beaten by India and England.

It is surprising that Sri Lanka Cricket could not request South Africa to play a Test series in addition to the limited over games. It is understood that SLC had requested South Africa to only play a limited over series. The South Africans are not taking the tour lightly and have named formidable sides for the 50-over and Twenty20 series.

The visitors will be a big draw and exciting cricket is on the cards. Wicket keeper batsman, the hard hitting Abraham de Villiers will lead the 50-over team and Faf du Plessis the Twenty20 team. Both captains are aggressive in their approach. De Villiers will want to win this series and forget the Champions Trophy debacle.

Fast bowling all rounder Morne Morkel returns to the side after having recovered from a quad strain suffered in the first game of the Champions Trophy against India. But the South Africans will miss the fastest bowler in the game today Dale Steyn.

Steyn also suffered a side strain and played in only one game in England. His express speed will be missed. Another exciting all rounder who will be missed is Jacques Kallis. Kallis requested to be left out for England on personal reasons. But has not been able to find a slot in the 50-over squad.

All games will be day night games. The first two games on July 20 and 23 will be at the R.Premadsa Stadium. Pallekelle Stadium will host the next two games on July 26 and 28 and the teams will return to the R.Premadasa Stadium for the final game on July 31. The Twenty20 games: August 2 at R.Premadasa Stadium and the final two games on August 4 and 6 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium at Sooriyawewa.

The squads:

South Africa One Day Squad: AB de Villiers (c/wk), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

South Africa T20 Squad:Faf du Plessis (c), Farhaan Behardien, Henry Davids, Quinton de Kock (wk), AB de Villiers (wk), Jean-Paul Duminy, Imran Tahir, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, David Wiese.