South Africa Set to Begin post-Smith Era

Galle: Hashim Amla will make history on Wednesday when he takes the field as South Africa's first permanent non-white skipper to lead national team after the retirements of Test greats Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis.

Amla, a devout Muslim, was named captain last month after Smith retired from international cricket, signalling the end of an era which saw him lead out the Proteas a record-breaking 109 times over ten years.

Thirty-one-year-old Amla is the first non-white player to captain the Test side in a full-time capacity -- Ashwell Prince has skippered on a stand-in basis.

A two-Test series against Sri Lanka in Galle starting Wednesday is Amla's first assignment as South Africa look to rebuild in the absence of Smith, allrounder Kallis and experienced wicketkeeper Mark Boucher. Amla, who has often shied away from the public eye, has urged patience, saying it will take time for a successful new side to gel.

The visitors go into the Tests on the back of their maiden ODI series victory in Sri Lanka, having won the third and final game in Hambantota on Saturday to clinch the three-match series 2-1.

Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews' form has improved since taking charge of the team last February -- and with the ever-dependable Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara alongside him, the home team are a strong outfit.

The hosts will draw confidence from their last outing at home against South Africa in 2006 which saw them win 2-0, including a massive innings-and-153-run victory in the first Test.

South Africa will be looking to reclaim their number one Test ranking from Australia while the hosts are keen to improve their sixth spot. The tourists can only climb to the top of the charts if they clinch the series 2-0.

Sri Lanka have recalled opener Upul Tharanga in their 15-member squad after six years while South Africa have added two fresh faces in batsman Stiaan van Zyl and offspinner Dane Piedt, who are both strong candidates to debut. The second and final Test will be played in Colombo from July 24.

Teams from

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (Captain), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Upul Tharanga, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Kithuruwan Vithanage, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Ajantha Mendis, Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad and Chanaka Welegedara.

South Africa: Hashim Amla (captain), Alviro Petersen, Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (wk), JP Duminy, Stiaan van Zyl, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Kyle Abbott, Quinton de Kock (wk) and Dane Piedt.

Match facts
July 16-20, 2014
Start time 1000 local (0430 GMT)

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