Cricket - Sri Lanka v South Africa - First Test Match - Galle, Sri Lanka -July 12, 2018 - South Africa's captain Faf du Plessis (2nd R) talks with team mate Keshav Maharaj . REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
(Reuters) - Sri Lanka's stand-in captain Suranga Lakmal won the toss and decided to bat in the opening test of the two-match series against South Africa in Galle on Thursday.
The hosts' regular captain Dinesh Chandimal has pleaded guilty to a disciplinary breach during the side's second test against West Indies last month and has opted to sit out of the series.
The International Cricket Council is due to announce a verdict in the case soon.
Cricket - Sri Lanka v South Africa - First Test Match - Galle, Sri Lanka -July 12, 2018 - Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne (L) plays a shot next to South Africa's Quinton de Kock. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
Lakmal was the only paceman in the Sri Lankan side who went with the spin trio of Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan.
Experienced batsman Dimuth Karunaratne was back to open the batting for the hosts after the left-hander missed the West Indies tour due to injury.
Dale Steyn returned to the South African team from injury, having last played a test in January.
Cricket - Sri Lanka v South Africa - First Test Match - Galle, Sri Lanka - July 12, 2018 - Sri Lanka's Dhananjaya de Silva is bowled out by South Africa's Tabraiz Shamsi (not pictured). REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
The touring side included two spinners in their side in left-armers Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj.
Teams
Cricket - Sri Lanka v South Africa Ð First Test Match - Galle, Sri Lanka Ð July 12, 2018 Ð South Africa's Kagiso Rabada appeals for an unsuccessful LBW wicket for Sri Lanka's Dhananjaya de Silva (not pictured). REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis (captain), Quinton de Kock, Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn
Cricket - Sri Lanka v South Africa Ð First Test Match - Galle, Sri Lanka Ð July 12, 2018 Ð South Africa's Kagiso Rabada (C) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Danushka Gunathilaka (not pictured). REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; editing by Greg Stutchbury)
Cricket - Sri Lanka v South Africa Ð First Test Match - Galle, Sri Lanka Ð July 12, 2018 Ð Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne hits a six. REUTERS/Dinuka LiyanawatteCricket - Sri Lanka v South Africa Ð First Test Match - Galle, Sri Lanka Ð July 12, 2018 Ð South African cricket captain Faf du Plessis (R) talks to his teammate Hashim Amla. REUTERS/Dinuka LiyanawatteCricket - Sri Lanka v South Africa Ð First Test Match - Galle, Sri Lanka Ð July 12, 2018 Ð South African Vernon Philander appeals for an unsuccessful LBW wicket for Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne (not pictured). REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
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