PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (Reuters): South Africa coach Russell Domingo says his side will have to show patience on what is expected to be a slow wicket at St George’s Park for the first test against Sri Lanka starting on Boxing Day.

South Africa have recorded big wins over New Zealand and Australia at the ground since 2013, and drew with West Indies in a rain-hit test two years ago.

Domingo says the team’s seamers in particular enjoy the coastal venue.

“The guys love coming to Port Elizabeth,” Domingo told reporters on Thursday. “We feel that the wicket suits us to a degree. The ball tends to reverse swing here because of the abrasive wicket which helps our seamers.

“If there is a little bit of an Easterly (wind) or overhead conditions, we are able to exploit those conditions as well.

“It’s never historically been a fast wicket, it’s a wicket where you have to be patient and you have to grind out runs. That’s the strength of this particular side, our levels of patience and being able to withstand those types of periods.”

After a home series loss to England last year, South Africa have rebounded with a series win on home soil over New Zealand in August and most recently a 2-1 away success in Australia last month.

It is a sign that the team, which is still in transition following the introduction of a number of new players over the last 18 months, is beginning to mature.

“(Opener) Stephen Cook has two test hundreds in six matches, (fast bowler) Kagiso Rabada and (middle-order batsman) Temba Bavuma have won test matches for us.

“Those young players, once they perform, feel like they belong and that takes a lot of pressure off them and allows them to free up and put in more of those performances.”

The series will be the first with Faf du Plessis as South Africa’s full-time captain after he took over from the injured AB de Villiers and Domingo says it is important they continue their upward curve at home.

“It’s a big series for us. We have been playing some good test match cricket of late and to continue that form and the brand of cricket that we want to play is of paramount importance for us.”

The second test will be played in Cape Town from January 2 with the final match in Johannesburg from January 12.

Proteas wary of Sri Lanka

The coaching staff of the Proteas is wary of Sri Lanka’s attacking style of cricket. The visitors also boast an intimidating bowling arsenal. Both teams are in Port Elizabeth preparing for the Boxing Day Test Match.

The Proteas and the Sri Lankans are also buoyed following series wins against Australia recently. 

Five years ago the visitors nearly beat the Proteas in Durban with veteran spin bowler Rangana Herath, the destroyer in chief.

Herath, Angelo Mathews and wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal are the only players returning to South Africa for this tour. 

Sri Lanka now features some young and talented players and the team is confident.

Sri Lankan Captain Angelo Mathews says: “We can beat any team; we have done it before in other countries and we believe in our capabilities. We want to do well and the Proteas have been on good form, but we have also done well as well. We don’t want to think far ahead.” 

The Proteas want to build on their Australian success.

The historic St. George’s Park has also been kind to the team, winning their last three tests here. Proteas Coach Russel Domingo says: “Sri Lankans have been good lately and also playing against them has been a major challenge. We must do our preparations very well and this ground has been good to us over the last couple of games and we want to continue with our good form.”

Good cricket weather is also predicted for the duration of the test match. And if history is taken into account, that will ensure a result over the five days. (http://www.sabc.co.za/)