The wickets at the nets lacked grass, something that they will not see when they take on the home team in the two Test series.
Special attention was paid on left hander Hashan Tillekeratne and paceman Pramodaya Wickremasinghe in shaping their flaws and having them in top form when the important part of the tour comes around.
Tillekeratne seemed to be quickly regaining his lost form and confidence, the manner in which he batted. He is hopeful that he will come good in one of the run-up games so that everything will fall into place out in the middle in the big games.
Wickremasinghe was also bending his back. He was concentrating on line and length and The Management is hopeful that he too will deliver the goods when required.
Physio Kountouri is a firm believer that 100 per cent and more of fitness is vital in every aspect of the game. From concentration to bringing out the natural talents of a sportsman.
Team fit and well
All team members are fit and well, with no complaints of injury and if the team stays that way, then they should have a satisfying tour.
After the Breakfasting Business Boost, followed a press conference at the same venue and all questions that were posed to skipper Arjuna Ranatunga were answered with great aplomb and finesse, just like when he is at the wicket.
He admitted that this first historic tour to SA is going to be a tough one and that although Cronje's men have been beaten in recent times, he would not be taking them lightly.
However he rated his chances of beating South Africa very good and reiterated that while his sides batting and fielding is first rate, it is the bowling department that is causing him worry.
To a question as to the games progress in the country, he said that a lot of development program have been mapped out and the results of these program would soon be realised.
But he said that great cricketers such as Aravinda de Silva, Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan will not be seen for at least another 20 to 30 years.
First game
The Sri Lankans play their first game starting tomorrow at the picturesque Wanderers and will be up against the best team in the friendlies that they play.
Transvaal are led by former Kiwi skipper Ken Rutherford, however indications are that he will not play because of injury. There are three Test men in their line - Adam Bacher, Clive Eksteen and Darryl Cullinan.
The South African selectors are hoping that Cullinan will come good and enhance his chances of a comeback to the national side.
As for the Sri Lankans they will not name their team until they have a look at the wicket.
``Sri Lanka attained Test status only in 1982. I believe their winning of the World Cup in 1996 as a great feat in modern day cricket.''
That was the fantastic compliment that was said by Dr. Ali Bacher, Managing Director of the United Cricket Board of South Africa to the Sri Lankan cricketers when he addressed a Breakfasting Business Boost Cricket Development program.
Dr. Ali Bacher a former South African cricket captain, is now playing a role model in improving and developing cricket in the country and lays a lot of emphasis in bringing back the coloured cricketers to the game.
He is a firm believer that cricket must be taken to the masses. ``If that is achieved then they will stop throwing stones and be throwing cricket balls' he said.
Everytime I see hear or read this heavyweight of South African cricket development, Dr. Ali Bacher, my admiration and respect for him continues to grow.
Develop the game
Ali is bending backwards to see that the game develops not only in South Africa but the world over. Ali welcomed Arjuna Ranatunga and the team and assured the large number of VIPs present that they will see a new concept of the game by the Lankans when they are in action.
High honours for Dr. Ali Bacher like being the President of the International Cricket Council should not be long in coming.
Every speaker spoke glowingly about Sri Lanka cricket and its rapid development since gaining Test status.
Hugh Page, a former pace bowler for the Springboks, said that the Sri Lankan cricketers have added a new dimension to the one-day game. ``Their openers go for something like 110 to 120 in the first 15 overs and that is some achievement. He said that all South Africa is waiting to watch them perform and was confident that they would oblige.
Tribute to Bacher
Solomon Ndima one of the leading lights in finding sponsors for the development of the game in SA, paid a glowing tribute to Dr. Ali Bacher for the tremendous work he is doing to introduce the game all over and unify South Africa.
Talking about the importance of sponsorship in the development of sport, Ndima said that you must love to give, and give to love, meaning that all lovers of sport will contribute lavishly for a worthy cause.
Cricket manager Duleep Mendis who replied also pointed out the importance of sponsorship in sport and said that the Sri Lankan national team is sponsored by Singer Sri Lanka and he thanked them profusely for that.
Many speakers took swipes on the failures of the South African cricketers recently and said that leg spin bowling has been their nightmare.
Commenting on this, manager Mendis said in lighter vein and to a lot of laughter that, 'Sri Lanka does not believe in beating losing sides'.
This is Sri Lanka's first historic Test tour of South Africa and if what all the speakers mentioned about their game and exploits then the Sri Lankan cricketers will be well received in every ground and town they play.