COLOMBO, Aug 3: South Africa are set for another agonising battle when the second and final Test against Sri Lanka starts on Friday at off-spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan's home club.The P. Sara Stadium at the Tamil Union Club, where Muralitharan plays his domestic cricket, is regarded as a spinners' haven tailor-made for the prolific star.

That won't be good news for the beleaguered Proteas, already reeling under Muralitharan's 10-wicket haul in the first Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground which Sri Lanka won by an innings and 153 runs.

The hosts will be further boosted by the return of experienced left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas, who missed the first Test with a hamstring injury suffered on the recent England tour.

“Vaasy is a class act and it is great to have him back,” said Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene of his leading seamer, who has captured 306 wickets at an average of 29.2.

Sri Lanka are expected to leave out Farveez Maharoof to accommodate Vaas, but leg-spinner Malinga Bandara may also be considered if the wicket promises turn early in the match.

Seasoned all-rounder Shaun Pollock returns for South Africa after opting out of the first Test following the birth of his second daughter.

Pollock, who is six wickets away from becoming the first South African to reach the 400 mark, will lend experience to a squad missing captain Graeme Smith and all-rounder Jacques Kallis because of injuries.

Pollock watched from the sidelines as Sri Lanka ran up 756-5 declared at the SSC due to Jayawardene's brilliant 374 and his world record stand of 624 with Kumar Sangakkara (287).

Teams:

SRI LANKA (from): Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Upul Tharanga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera, Prasanna Jayawardene, Chaminda Vaas, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Malinga Bandara.

South Africa (likely): Ashwell Prince (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, Jacques Rudolph, A.B. de Villiers, Mark Boucher, Andrew Hall, Shaun Pollock, Nicky Boje, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn.

Umpires: Billy Bowden (New Zealand) and Mark Benson (England).

Match referee: Javagal Srinath (India).—AFP