Wednesday Dec 25, 2024
Wednesday Dec 25, 2024
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Lahiru Kumara was pick of Sri Lankan bowlers with four wickets
Kyle Verreynne basks in glory of his century
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| Pathum Nissanka brought up his 9th Test fifty |
After being rolled over for 42 in the first Test, Sri Lanka’s batsmen put up a resolute performance to end the second day of the second Test played at Port Elizabeth, Gqeberha yesterday nicely placed at 242-3 in reply to South Africa’s first innings of 358 to trail by 116 runs with seven wickets in hand.
Apart from the first session, where they allowed South Africa’s tail to wag, the rest of the day belonged to Sri Lanka’s. They made the most of excellent batting conditions and three wickets South Africa got were all gifts provided by the batters on a surface where there was no help at all for the bowlers.
Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka got Sri Lanka off to a solid start before the former went chasing after a Kagiso Rabada delivery and was caught behind. Dinesh Chandimal carried on the good work with Nissanka and put together a century stand, but he too could not convert his start. Nissanka, who was dropped on 22, looked set for a hundred but a rush of blood cost him his wicket at 89 scored off 157 balls (11 fours, 1 six).
Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis carried on the good work the batsmen had done to remain unbeaten on 40 and 30 respectively. Sri Lanka will rely on this pair to get them close to South Africa’s 358 and drive home the advantage.
Mathews in the process of his innings completed 8000 Test runs to join two other Sri Lankan greats Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara.
The morning belonged to South Africa who started the day at 269-7 and were bowled out for 358. Kyle Verreynne was the major thorn for Sri Lanka reaching his half-century off 95 balls and then stitching a valuable partnership of 56 with Kagiso Rabada (23) to get close to a hundred. When Asitha Fernando broke the stand by getting rid of Rabada, Verreynne switched gears and brought up his third Test hundred with a six to remain 105* scored off 133 balls (12 fours, 3 sixes). It was a game defining contribution from South Africa’s gloveman. Lahiru Kumara, Sri Lanka’s best bowler right throughout the innings finished with figures of 4/79. The two Fernandos Asitha and Vishwa took five between them. South Africa added 89 runs for the last three wickets which could be the difference between victory and defeat.
The afternoon was an excellent session for Sri Lanka. They lost only the wicket of Karunaratne for 20. Karunaratne and Nissanka did well to see out the new ball spell by Rabada and Marco Jansen, but Rabada came back for his second spell and broke the stand with Karunaratne’s wicket. He should have had Nissanka as well but David Bedingham dropped a regulation catch at first slip.
Nissanka seizing on the opportunity went onto complete his 9th Test fifty and with Chandimal batted sedately to stretch the partnership to worth 109 after the tea break before South Africa finally broke through with Dane Paterson finding the edge of Chandimal’s bat to see him off for 44.
