Tough times are looming for Sri Lanka

Mahela Jayawardene, who is widely considered the nicest player in the game today, recently bravely deflected criticism regarding the touring Lankans by stating they will enjoy the underdog tag. That may well be the case and adopting an optimistic stance is never a bad thing but a realistic examination will forecast that they will be severely tested on their upcoming South African odyssey.

Genuine Test match batting capability stops at the dependable duo of Sangakkara and Jayawardene and the decimation of their bowling attack through injury and choice means that basically, barring one, a popgun attack will be on show. No Malinga, Prasad nor Lakmal means that only the inconsistent Fernando will present any hurry-up or pace concern.

When one also considers the massive spin void left by the retirement of Muralitharan, concern about taking 20 wickets will lurk behind closed doors. In stark contrast a rampant South African outfit, fresh from another hiatus, will be chomping at the bit and raring to go.

The surfaces that will confront the Sri Lankans will be hostile, bouncy and encouraging for the likes of Steyn, Morkel, Philander and perhaps even Marchant de Lange. Rarely has a home team had everything so stacked in their favour as they will have for the next seven weeks.

As instinctive as the tourists’ play will be, and that is always an intriguing and endearing aspect of their cricket, they will be bossed by a potent barrage of intensity. Sri Lanka will be forced to rely on sleight of hand to tackle South Africa's forceful batting order as carrom balls, cleverly disguised slower deliveries and subtle changes of pace will combine to manufacture their weaponry.

South Africa have an ideal opportunity to amend for what was a disappointing series against Australia in totality and force the islanders into submission through a sustained onslaught that will serve notice to other cricketing nations. After all, tours to both New Zealand and England are on the horizon and reminding both of those nations of what to expect will do no harm.

The next few weeks will be brutal for the visitors. They have only won one Test out of their last eighteen and by the time this series is completed I am afraid that tally will have ballooned to one out of twenty one.

Sri Lanka is a proud cricketing nation that will be devastated by the latest performances at Test level. The players have also had to confront financial setbacks as their salary payments have astoundingly not been forthcoming due to monetary complications that were resultant from hosting the World Cup.

That worrying situation, coupled largely with a quality playing personnel void, severely compromises the Lankans. The end result loads more responsibility onto the already heavily-laden shoulders of Sangakkara and Jayawardene who between them have been nothing short of remarkable in their attitude and performance over the years.

This time around though will be a bridge too far for even them to make a difference.