Murali out injured as Sri Lanka bat first

Sri Lanka, seeking to win their first ever series against South Africa, lost Muttiah Muralitharan before the start of the second Test. Muralitharan was forced out with a shoulder injury that leaves him in doubt for the ICC Champions Trophy.

The loss of Muralitharan provided an opportunity for Rangana Herath, a steady left-arm spinner. Sri Lanka also included Lasith Malinga, who bowls with a strange round-arm action, in place of allrounder Farveez Maharoof.

South Africa, boosted after their escape in Galle, welcomed back Herschelle Gibbs, who has recovered from an ankle injury, in place of Lance Klusener rather than Boeta Dippenaar, the stand-in opener.

Sri Lanka 1 Marvan Atapattu (capt), 2 Sanath Jayasuriya, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 6 Thilan Samaraweera, 7 Romesh Kaluwitharana, 8 Upul Chandana, 9 Chaminda Vaas, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Rangana Herath.

South Africa 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Herschelle Gibbs, 3 Martin van Jaarsveld, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 Boeta Dippenaar, 6 Jacques Rudolph, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Shaun Pollock, 9 Nicky Boje, 10 Nantie Hayward, 11 Makhaya Ntini.