| 0.0 : A warm welcome to the second Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Port Elizabeth. The hosts need to pull their socks because they have suffered a shocking loss against Sri Lanka. It was all about Kusal Perera's heroics which led them to victory. Now coming to this Test, the hosts need their batting to come good. Their bowling has been superb in the last Test except for that last wicket stand which frustrated the South Africans. Overall their bowling was very good. Vernon Philander has been |
| TOSS - South Africa have won the toss and elect to bat first. |
| TEAM NEWS - The hosts have a solitary change, Vernon Philander who is injured walks out and Wiaan Mulder comes in. The visitors are unchanged after their victory in the first match. |
| Both the teams are out in the middle for their respective national anthems. |
| We are done with the national anthems and all set to begin. Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram walk out to the middle to open the innings for South Africa. Suranga Lakmal to start with the new ball for Sri Lanka. |
| 0.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Starts with a good length delivery outside off, Elgar lets it go. |
| 0.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Good length delivery on middle and leg, Elgar pushes it to the leg side. |
| 0.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Length delivery on leg, Elgar looks to flick but gets surprised by the bounce on this one. He gets an inside edge on this one. It goes towards fine leg. First run of the day. Not in the most convincing way to get underway. |
| 0.4 : S Lakmal to Markram, Good length delivery on middle, Markram defends off the back foot. |
| 0.5 : S Lakmal to Markram, Length delivery on middle, Markram flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 0.6 : S Lakmal to Markram, Good length delivery outside off, Aiden shoulders his arms to this one. |
| Vishwa Fernando to partner Suranga Lakmal with the new ball. |
| 1.1 : V Fernando to Elgar, On a good length outside off, Elgar lets it go. |
| 1.2 : V Fernando to Elgar, Outside off, Elgar leaves it alone. |
| 1.3 : V Fernando to Elgar, Bowls wide outside off, the left-hander does not bother to play at it. |
| 1.4 : V Fernando to Elgar, Good outswinger on this one. Bowls on a good length outside off, Dean offers no shot. |
| 1.5 : V Fernando to Elgar, Outside off again, Elgar easily lets it go. |
| 1.6 : V Fernando to Elgar, Another leave from Elgar. Good length delivery outside off, Dean shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 2.1 : S Lakmal to Markram, Good length delivery on off, Markram offers a forward defense on this one. |
| 2.2 : S Lakmal to Markram, Bowls it down the leg side, Aiden lets it go. |
| 2.3 : S Lakmal to Markram, On off, Markram defends off the back foot. |
| 2.4 : S Lakmal to Markram, That is a very good ball from Lakmal. Bowls on a good length outside off, Markram does well to leave it but it was close to the off stump. |
| 2.5 : S Lakmal to Markram, Again on a good length on off, Aiden blocks it well. |
| 2.6 : S Lakmal to Markram, Good length delivery on middle, Markram defends it off the back foot. |
| 3.1 : V Fernando to Elgar, Length delivery on middle and leg, Dean nudges it towards the leg side for a run. |
| 3.2 : V Fernando to Markram, Length delivery on middle, Markram flicks it towards square leg. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 3.3 : V Fernando to Markram, FOUR! First boundary of the match. Nice shot. Full on middle and leg, Markram flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. From the time it left the bat it was racing to the fence. |
| 3.4 : V Fernando to Markram, Length delivery on middle and leg, Aiden nudges it to the leg side. |
| 3.5 : V Fernando to Markram, Good length delivery on middle, Markram keeps it out. |
| Review time... Sri Lanka have gone upstairs and Karunaratne has gone upstairs almost immediately, maybe making up for going really late in the last Test. The ball seemed to be pitching well outside leg though, could be an early waste of a review! |
| 3.6 : V Fernando to Markram, NOT OUT! It is pitched outside leg. Sri Lanka lose their review. Bowls a length delivery on leg, Markram looks to flick but gets hit on the pads due to the movement on this one. Fernando appeals but the umpire shakes his head. Sri Lanka go for the review. The replays show that it was pitching outside leg. The visitors lose an unnecessary review. |
| 4.1 : S Lakmal to Markram, A length ball just outside off and jagging into the batsman. Aiden tries to keep the ball out off the back foot but is beaten and gets hit high on the thigh pad. |
| 4.2 : S Lakmal to Markram, Left alone outside off by Markram. |
| 4.3 : S Lakmal to Markram, A length ball on the middle stump, kept out well on the back foot. |
| 4.4 : S Lakmal to Markram, Pushed towards mid-wicket from the crease by the right-hander. |
| 4.5 : S Lakmal to Markram, Peach! Should have had a wicket there! A length ball just outside off and shaping away very late, Markram looked to initially play that one but removed the bat out of the way at the last moment. That could have taken an edge! |
| 4.6 : S Lakmal to Markram, On the pads and flicked away through square leg for a couple. It was slightly uppish but away from the fielder in the circle. |
| 5.1 : V Fernando to Elgar, FOUR! Along the ground and superbly controlled. A fuller length ball on the middle and leg stump line, flicked away by Elgar through mid-wicket for his first boundary. |
| 5.2 : V Fernando to Elgar, Length ball outside off, kept out towards point watchfully. |
| 5.3 : V Fernando to D Elgar, OUT! Bowled 'em! This is brilliant from Fernando. He took the last ball away from the lefty on a length outside off but this time brings it in off a good length. Elgar was looking to drive that ball through mid off but the ball went in between bat and ball. It knocks down the off pole. The first strike for South Africa and Vishwa has shown good skill once more. Sri Lanka will be pumped up now! |
| Hashim Amla walks in at number 3. |
| 5.4 : Fernando to H Amla, OUT! Gone first ball! What a ripper! Too good for even a batsman of Amla's caliber. A fuller length ball and coming in really late, Hashim barely has his eyes in and plays down the wrong line. The ball goes on to disturb the timber once more. Vishwa starts running and cannot be stopped by his teammates. Ends with a punch in the air! Two in two and Fernando is on a hat-trick now! |
| Temba Bavuma walks in next. |
| 5.5 : V Fernando to Bavuma, Close! But no hat-trick for Vishwa. A length ball just outside off and coming in slightly. Bavuma prods ahead to defend slightly. The ball goes off the inner half and bounces above the stumps as it rolls to the keeper. Almost! Fernando is on a roll here. |
| 5.6 : V Fernando to Bavuma, Left alone outside off by Temba. End of a sensational over from Fernando. |
| 6.1 : S Lakmal to Markram, Full on off, Markram drives it to mid off where the fielder stops it brilliantly. |
| 6.2 : S Lakmal to Markram, Good length delivery on off, Markram looks to push but gets hit on the thigh pad. |
| 6.3 : S Lakmal to Bavuma, OUT! That was a no-brainer for the third umpire. Even Temba knew he was out and he started to walk back. Length delivery on middle, Markram flicks it to mid-wicket. Temba Bavuma wanted the run but Markram does not respond. Kasun Rajitha fires a direct hit at the bowler's end from short mid-wicket. Bavuma is well short of his crease and he has to make the long walk back. |
| Faf du Plessis comes in at number 5, way earlier than he would have expected. |
| 6.4 : S Lakmal to Markram, Full on off, Markram drives it towards point for a run. |
| 6.5 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Good length delivery on off, du Plessis blocks it off the front foot. |
| 6.6 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Length delivery on off, du Plessis looks to defend but gets an outside edge due to the movement on this one. It goes towards gully where it fell short of the fielder. |
| 7.1 : V Fernando to Markram, Length ball on top of off stump, kept out towards the bowler by Markram. |
| 7.2 : V Fernando to Markram, Another back foot defense to a delivery on money from Vishwa once more. |
| 7.3 : V Fernando to Markram, Short of a length outside off and going along with the angle, defended towards the off side. |
| 7.4 : V Fernando to Markram, On the pads, worked away by Aiden towards mid-wicket where the other Fernando makes a diving stop to his left to prevent any runs. |
| 7.5 : V Fernando to Markram, On the pads once more, Markram misses his flick and the ball goes off his pads towards fine leg for a couple of leg byes. |
| 7.6 : V Fernando to Markram, Spraying this one down the leg side once more, this time Aiden connects his flick to deep fine leg for a run as he keeps the strike. |
| 8.1 : S Lakmal to Markram, FOUR! Probably the shot of the day so far! A very full ball on middle, driven with a straight bat all along the ground and beats mid on to his left. No stopping those! |
| 8.2 : S Lakmal to Markram, Good length ball outside off, defended off the front foot towards the off side. |
| 8.3 : S Lakmal to Markram, Pushed defensively towards mid on. |
| 8.4 : S Lakmal to Markram, Markram defends this length ball on off stump solidly back down the ground. |
| 8.5 : S Lakmal to Markram, Left alone outside off by the batsman this time. Good 4 balls after the boundary on the first ball. Can Fernando end well? |
| 8.6 : S Lakmal to A Markram, Yes, he does. A fuller length ball on middle, Markram mistimes his on drive towards the mid on region. |
| 9.1 : V Fernando to Plessis, Short on middle, du Plessis pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 9.2 : V Fernando to Plessis, Bowls it on a good length outside off, du Plessis offers no shot. |
| 9.3 : V Fernando to Plessis, Good length delivery on the stumps, Faf defends it off his back foot. |
| 9.4 : V Fernando to Plessis, Slightly fuller on off and middle, du Plessis pushes it to the fielder art mid off. |
| 9.5 : V Fernando to Plessis, Fernando tries to tempt du Plessis by bowling it on a length outside off. Faf calmly leaves it alone. |
| 9.6 : V Fernando to Plessis, Bowls this on the pads, du Plessis looks to flick but misses and it goes off his thigh pad for a single. |
| Kasun Rajitha is on now. |
| 10.1 : K Rajitha to Plessis, Length delivery on off, du Plessis defends it to cover point. |
| 10.2 : K Rajitha to Plessis, Short and outside off, the skipper plays it to covers. |
| 10.3 : K Rajitha to Plessis, Length delivery on off, the skipper plays it to mid off. |
| 10.4 : K Rajitha to Plessis, Short and outside off, du Plessis defends it back to the bowler. |
| 10.5 : K Rajitha to Plessis, Length delivery on off, Faf looks to defend but gets extra bounce on this one. |
| 10.6 : K Rajitha to Plessis, Full on off, Faf drives it towards mid on for a run. |
| 11.1 : V Fernando to Plessis, Bowls a good length delivery on middle, du Plessis looks to push but gets extra bounce on this one. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 11.2 : V Fernando to Markram, Length delivery on middle and leg, Markram flicks it towards square leg for a run. |
| 11.3 : V Fernando to Plessis, Good length delivery on off, the skipper pushes it towards covers and takes a quick run. |
| 11.4 : V Fernando to Markram, Again on a good length on off, Markram pushes it towards the off side for a run. |
| 11.5 : V Fernando to Plessis, Bowls a bumper, du Plessis does well to duck under it. |
| 11.6 : V Fernando to Plessis, Good length delivery on off, Faf defends it off the back foot. |
| 12.1 : K Rajitha to Markram, Good length delivery on off, Markram defends off the front foot. |
| 12.2 : K Rajitha to Markram, On off, Aiden defends it off the front foot. |
| 12.3 : K Rajitha to Markram, FOUR! Cracking shot. Short and outside off, Markram slaps it through covers for a boundary. |
| 12.4 : K Rajitha to Markram, Good length delivery on off, Markram defends it off the front foot. Replays show that it was a no ball. Umpire has missed out on this one. |
| 12.5 : K Rajitha to Markram, Outside off, Markram leaves it alone. |
| 12.6 : K Rajitha to Markram, Bowls on a good length outside off, Aiden leaves it alone. |
| DRINKS! It has been a good hour for Sri Lanka as they have picked three wickets inside 13 overs. Two beautiful deliveries from Vishwa Fernando gave Sri Lanka the early breakthroughs which they were looking for. Another wicket came of a silly run out which the hosts paid the price for it. It was of Temba Bavuma. The onus will be on Faf du Plessis and Aiden Markram to steady the ship and take South Africa to safer shores. |
| 13.1 : V Fernando to Plessis, Good length delivery on off, du Plessis solidly defends it off his back foot. |
| 13.2 : V Fernando to Plessis, Full length delivery on off, Faf defends it off his front foot. |
| 13.3 : V Fernando to Plessis, Back of a length delivery on middle and off, du Plessis blocks it off his back foot. |
| 13.4 : V Fernando to Plessis, Good length delivery on middle and leg, du Plessis tucks it towards mid-wicket with the upper half of the bat as there was a bit of bounce on that one. |
| 13.5 : V Fernando to Markram, Once again on middle and leg, Markram pushes it to the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 13.6 : V Fernando to Markram, On the thigh pads, Aiden tucks it towards fine leg and keeps the strike. |
| 14.1 : K Rajitha to Markram, Full on middle, Markram drives it to mid off. |
| 14.2 : K Rajitha to Markram, Length delivery on off, Markram plays it to point. |
| 14.3 : K Rajitha to Markram, Good length delivery on off, Aiden defends it to mid off. |
| 14.4 : K Rajitha to Markram, Full on middle and leg, Markram drives it to mid on. Lakmal fields it and shows a slight pain in his left thumb when he drops the ball. |
| 14.5 : K Rajitha to Markram, Outside off, Markram shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 14.6 : K Rajitha to Markram, Good length delivery outside off again, Aiden lets it go. |
| Suranga Lakmal back into the attack. |
| 15.1 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Good length delivery outside off, du Plessis offers no shot. |
| 15.2 : S Lakmal to Plessis, On a good length on middle, du Plessis defends it off the back foot. |
| 15.3 : S Lakmal to Plessis, That was a good delivery from Lakmal. Good length delivery outside off, the skipper covers the line of the stumps and leaves it alone. |
| 15.4 : S Lakmal to Plessis, On off, du Plessis blocks it off his back foot. |
| 15.5 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Good length delivery on off, the skipper keeps it out. |
| 15.6 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Outside off, Faf shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 16.1 : K Rajitha to Markram, Good length delivery outside off, Markram looks to drive but gets beaten on this one. There was good shape on this one. |
| 16.2 : K Rajitha to Markram, NO BALL! Rajitha oversteps! Good length delivery on off, Markram plays it to point. |
| K Rajitha to Markram, Outside off, Aiden leaves it alone. |
| 16.3 : K Rajitha to Markram, Full on off, Markram defends it off the front foot. |
| 16.4 : K Rajitha to Markram, Again on a good length on off, Markram defends it off the back foot. |
| 16.5 : K Rajitha to Markram, Length delivery on middle, Markram flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 16.6 : K Rajitha to Plessis, Outside off, du Plessis offers no shot. Just 2 runs from the over. This is good bowling by Sri Lanka. |
| 17.1 : S Lakmal to Markram, Good length delivery on middle, Markram defends it off the back foot. |
| 17.2 : S Lakmal to Markram, Good bowling by Lakmal. That was a sharp inswinger from Lakmal. Good length delivery outside off, Markram looks to defend but it flicks off his thigh pad and goes to Dickwella. |
| 17.3 : S Lakmal to Markram, Outside off, Aiden shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 17.4 : S Lakmal to Markram, FOUR! Class shot from Aiden Markram. Full on middle, Markram drives it straight past the bowler through mid on for a boundary. |
| 17.5 : S Lakmal to Markram, Good length delivery outside off, Markram lets it go. |
| 17.6 : S Lakmal to Markram, On off, Aiden keeps it out. |
| Spin for the first time today. Lasith Embuldeniya introduced into the attack. |
| 18.1 : L Embuldeniya to Plessis, Tossed up on leg, du Plessis looks to defend but gets hit on the pads. It goes to the leg side. |
| 18.2 : L Embuldeniya to Plessis, Flighted delivery on off, the skipper blocks it off his back foot. |
| 18.3 : L Embuldeniya to du Plessis, Tossed up on off, du Plessis drives it to covers. |
| 18.4 : L Embuldeniya to Plessis, Floated on off, the skipper plays it to covers. |
| 18.5 : L Embuldeniya to Plessis, Loopy delivery on middle and leg, Faf flicks it towards square leg for a run. |
| 18.6 : L Embuldeniya to Markram, Full on off, Markram drives it to covers. |
| 19.1 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Full and outside off, du Plessis drives it to covers where the fielder does a brilliant stop to his right. |
| 19.2 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Full again on off, du Plessis drives it to mid off where the fielder dives and stops it to save runs for the team. |
| 19.3 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Length delivery on middle, the skipper flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 19.4 : S Lakmal to Markram, Good length delivery on middle, Markram defends it off the back foot. |
| 19.5 : S Lakmal to Markram, Outside off, Aiden shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 19.6 : S Lakmal to Markram, Again on a good length on off, Markram defends it out. |
| 20.1 : L Embuldeniya to Plessis, Tossed up on off, du Plessis comes down the track and plays it towards mid off. The batsmen take a run. |
| 20.2 : L Embuldeniya to Markram, Flighted delivery on off, Markram defends it out. |
| 20.3 : L Embuldeniya to Markram, Floated on middle, Markram defends it off the back foot. |
| 20.4 : L Embuldeniya to Markram, Short and outside off, Aiden cuts it towards point for a single. |
| 20.5 : L Embuldeniya to du Plessis, FOUR! 50 up for South Africa. Nice shot from the skipper. Floated on off, du Plessis drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 20.6 : L Embuldeniya to Plessis, Full on middle and leg, du Plessis drives it towards the bowler where Embuldeniya gets a hand to it and he misfields it. It goes towards mid on. The batsmen take a run. |
| 21.1 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Good length delivery outside off, Faf leaves it alone. |
| 21.2 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Inswinging delivery on length, Faf looks to defend but gets it to the on side with the inner half of the bat. |
| 21.3 : S Lakmal to Markram, On the fourth stump line, Markram knows where his stumps are and leaves it alone with no danger. |
| 21.4 : S Lakmal to Markram, Good length delivery on off and middle, Aiden defends it off his back foot. |
| 21.5 : S Lakmal to Markram, Back of a length delivery on off and middle, Markram pulls it towards deep square leg and gets to the other end. |
| 21.6 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Good length delivery around off, Faf tucks it away towards mid-wicket and gets a single. He will keep the strike. |
| 22.1 : L Embuldeniya to du Plessis, Floated on off, du Plessis looks to defend but gets an outside edge past first slip. It goes towards third man. The batsmen get two runs. |
| 22.2 : L Embuldeniya to Plessis, Tossed up on middle, du Plessis drives it straight back towards the bowler where Lasith gets a hand to it and it hits the stumps at his end. It goes towards mid on. The batsmen take a run. |
| 22.3 : L Embuldeniya to Markram, Flighted delivery on middle, Markram defends it off the back foot. |
| 22.4 : L Embuldeniya to Markram, Floated on off, Aiden plays it to covers. |
| 22.5 : L Embuldeniya to Markram, FOUR! Good shot. Short and on off, Markram makes room and cuts it through covers for a boundary. |
| 22.6 : L Embuldeniya to Markram, Flighted delivery on off, Aiden defends it off the back foot. |
| Kasun Rajitha back into the attack. |
| 23.1 : K Rajitha to Plessis, Good length delivery around off, Faf pushes it uppishly but short of the bowler. |
| 23.2 : K Rajitha to Plessis, Good length delivery outside off, du Plessis leaves it alone. |
| 23.3 : K Rajitha to Plessis, Length delivery on off, du Plessis pushes it to the fielder at cover. |
| 23.4 : K Rajitha to Plessis, Good length delivery on the fourth stump line, Faf leaves i alone. |
| 23.5 : K Rajitha to Plessis, Slightly fuller on the stumps, du Plessis blocks it off his front foot. |
| 23.6 : K Rajitha to Plessis, In the air but safe. Fuller length delivery on off, du Plessis drives it uppishly wide of the diving cover fielder. He does not time it well so it does not reach the fence and they get a brace. |
| 24.1 : L Embuldeniya to Markram, Tossed up on middle, Markram defends it off the front foot. |
| 24.2 : L Embuldeniya to Markram, 50 partnership between Aiden Markram and Faf du Plessis. Floated on off, Markram makes room and cuts it towards point for a run. |
| 24.3 : L Embuldeniya to Plessis, Floated again on off, du Plessis cuts it to point. |
| 24.4 : L Embuldeniya to Plessis, Full on off, the skipper plays it to covers. |
| 24.5 : L Embuldeniya to Plessis, Tossed up on off, the skipper defends it off the back foot. |
| 24.6 : L Embuldeniya to Plessis, FOUR! Nice shot from the skipper. Short and outside off, du Plessis makes room and cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 25.1 : K Rajitha to Markram, Full on off, there is a hint of away swing on it. Markram drives it straight to the fielder at mid off. |
| 25.2 : K Rajitha to Markram, Bouncer outside off, Markram looks to pull it but misses. A bit of oh's and ah's from the Sri Lankan keeper and slip fielders. |
| 25.3 : K Rajitha to Markram, Good length delivery outside off, Aiden does not tease that one and leaves it alone. |
| 25.4 : K Rajitha to Markram, FOUR! Poor delivery by Rajitha. Good length delivery on the pads, it is an easy picking for Markram who flicks it away towards the vacant fine leg region for a boundary. |
| 25.5 : K Rajitha to Markram, Better from Rajitha. Good length delivery outside off, Markram leaves it alone. |
| 25.6 : K Rajitha to Markram, Classical defense. Length delivery on off and middle, Aiden keeps it out with a traditional front foot defense. |
| Dimuth Karunaratne to have a go at the stroke of Lunch. |
| 26.1 : D Karunaratne to Plessis, Length delivery on off, du Plessis defends it off the front foot. |
| 26.2 : D Karunaratne to Plessis, Outside off, the skipper leaves it alone. |
| 26.3 : D Karunaratne to Plessis, Good length delivery on off, du Plessis defends it off the back foot. |
| 26.4 : D Karunaratne to Plessis, On off, du Plessis defends it off the front foot. |
| 26.5 : D Karunaratne to Plessis, OUT! BOWLED! Would you believe it? Would you believe it? Asking again. Karunaratne has struck. Just his second wicket in Tests after grabbing his first way back in August 2017, when he had trapped India's Cheteshwar Pujara LBW in Colombo. Faf has been cleaned up by a yorker. But a 104 kph yorker. It was around middle and off and the Protea skipper was very late in getting his bat down. Perhaps he looked to drive initially. Then realized the length and wanted to di |
| What an end to this session that has surely belonged to Sri Lanka. They started the day by losing the toss but bowled tight lines and kept troubling the South African batsmen. Vishwa Fernando's double blow put the hosts on the back foot and things got from bad to worse when Temba Bavuma got run out for the second time in this series. Aiden Markram and his skipper Faf du Plessis joined hands and were steadying the ship but their 58-run stand was broken just before Lunch when Dimuth Karunaratne's |
| The visitors are clearly on the front foot here and will look to continue this superb performance in the next session as well. But they need to be cautious too. They had the Saffas 89/4 in Durban but then let the noose loosen a little. They will be looking to get into the Mulders and the Maharajs and the bowlers soon and who knows - probably bat sometime in the evening, if things go their way. The post-Lunch session begins at 1240 local time (1040 GMT). Join us for it... |
| ... Day 1, Session 2 ... |
| Welcome back for the Post-Lunch session. It has been an exciting beginning to this second and final Test. The away side are in a good position and will look to strengthen it even more with quick wickets in the second session as well. Aiden Markram has been joined in the middle by Quinton de Kock who will face the first ball of the session that will also the last ball of Karunaratne's over. Let's resume... |
| 26.6 : D Karunaratne to Kock, Good length delivery on off, de Kock defends it off the front foot. A wicket maiden for Dimuth Karunaratne. |
| Vishwa Fernando to bowl from the other end. |
| 27.1 : V Fernando to Markram, Length delivery on middle, Markram keeps it out. |
| 27.2 : V Fernando to Markram, Full on leg, Markram flicks it towards square leg for a single. First runs after Lunch. |
| 27.3 : V Fernando to Kock, Bowls a bouncer, de Kock does well to duck under it. |
| 27.4 : V Fernando to Kock, Good length delivery outside off, the keeper-batsman shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 27.5 : V Fernando to de Kock, Short outside off, cut away by de Kock to deep point for a single. Off the mark! |
| 27.6 : V Fernando to Markram, A length ball on the pads, flicked away towards mid-wicket. No run though. |
| 28.1 : D Karunaratne to Kock, Full on middle and off, Quinton taps it back to the bowler. |
| 28.2 : D Karunaratne to Kock, FOUR! Offers width and gets punished. Good length delivery outside off, de Kock cuts it through point and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 28.3 : D Karunaratne to Kock, Full length delivery on off and middle, de Kock looks to flick it but gets it off the inner half of the bat and onto the the boot. The ball then goes to the bowler. |
| 28.4 : D Karunaratne to Kock, Fuller again on the stumps, Quinton defends it with a straight bat. |
| 28.5 : D Karunaratne to Kock, Shorter in length this timke, de Kock cuts it but this one is straight to the fielder at point. |
| 28.6 : D Karunaratne to Kock, On the leg side, Quinton looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the thigh pad. The ball goes to the on side and they steal a single. The umpire signals it as leg bye. |
| 29.1 : V Fernando to de Kock, Short and outside off, de Kock slaps it to covers. |
| 29.2 : V Fernando to Kock, FOUR! Classic cover drive from Quinton. Full and outside off, de Kock drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 29.3 : V Fernando to de Kock, Short of a length delivery, de Kock pulls it to mid-wicket. |
| 29.4 : V Fernando to Kock, Full on off, Quinton drives it to mid off. |
| 29.5 : V Fernando to Kock, Outside off, the keeper-batsman shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 29.6 : V Fernando to Kock, Length delivery outside off, de Kock taps it to point. |
| 30.1 : D Karunaratne to Markram, Full on off, Markram drives it to cover. |
| 30.2 : D Karunaratne to Markram, Length delivery on middle, Markram nudges it to the leg side. |
| 30.3 : D Karunaratne to Markram, FOUR! Nice shot from Aiden. Length delivery on off, Markram cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 30.4 : D Karunaratne to Markram, Length delivery on middle and leg, Markram flicks it towards square leg. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 30.5 : D Karunaratne to Markram, Good length delivery on middle and leg, Markram looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 30.6 : D Karunaratne to Markram, Outside off, Aiden leaves it alone. |
| 31.1 : V Fernando to Kock, Surprise delivery from Vishwa Fernando. Short delivery outside off, de Kock looks to pull but lets it go at the last moment. |
| 31.2 : V Fernando to Kock, Bowls a bouncer, Quinton does well to duck under it. |
| 31.3 : V Fernando to Kock, Short and outside off, de Kock cuts it through point for a single. |
| 31.4 : V Fernando to Markram, Length delivery on middle, Markram plays it towards mid on. |
| 31.5 : V Fernando to Markram, FOUR! Good shot. Full and outside off, Markram drives it beautifullly through point for a boundary. |
| 31.6 : V Fernando to Markram, Length delivery on middle and leg, Markram nudges it towards backward square leg for a run. |
| 32.1 : D Karunaratne to Markram, Close! Full length delivery on off, the ball goes away after pitching. Markram looks to defend it but gets beaten just outside the off stump. Good delivery by the Sri Lankan skipper. |
| 32.2 : D Karunaratne to Markram, Full length delivery on middle and leg, Aiden pushes it to the fielder at mid on. |
| 32.3 : D Karunaratne to Markram, FIFTY! On middle and leg, Markram tucks it towards the fine leg region and gets a single to get to his 6th Test fifty. A very good innings from the young man, he has lost partners on the other end but has looked solid. South Africa will want him to convert this into a big one. |
| 32.4 : D Karunaratne to Kock, Good length delivery outside of, Quinton guides it towards third man and takes a single. |
| 32.5 : D Karunaratne to Markram, Full length delivery on the stumps, Aiden defends it off his front foot. |
| 32.6 : D Karunaratne to Markram, Again full on the stumps, Markram blocks it to see off the over. |
| 33.1 : V Fernando to de Kock, Full and outside off, de Kock drives it towards covers. The fielder looks to stop but the ball suddenly bounces off the grass. The batsmen take a run. |
| 33.2 : V Fernando to Markram, On off, Markram defends it off the front foot. |
| 33.3 : V Fernando to Markram, 100 up for South Africa. Length delivery on off, Markram drives it through point. The fielder at deep point fumbles and allows batsmen easy two runs. |
| 33.4 : V Fernando to Markram, Length delivery on off, Aiden defends it off the back foot. |
| 33.5 : V Fernando to A Markram, Short of a length delivery, Markram looks to pull but does not go through completely with it. He ends up guiding towards fine leg for a run. |
| 33.6 : V Fernando to Kock, Full on off, de Kock drives it through mid off for a run. Suranga Lakmal does really well moving to his right and dives to save a certain boundary. Great commitment from the Sri Lankan fast bowler. |
| Kasun Rajitha back into the attack. |
| 34.1 : K Rajitha to Kock, FOUR! Cracking shot. Short and outside off, de Kock cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 34.2 : K Rajitha to Kock, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Quinton. Full on middle and leg, de Kock lofts this over mid on for a boundary. |
| 34.3 : K Rajitha to Kock, Good length delivery on off, de Kock defends it off the front foot. |
| 34.4 : K Rajitha to de Kock, FOUR! Third boundary of the over. Full and outside off, de Kock drives it through extra cover for a boundary. |
| 34.5 : K Rajitha to Kock, NO BALL! Rajitha oversteps! Length delivery on off, de Kock cuts it towards point for a single. |
| K Rajitha to Markram, Good length delivery on middle and leg, Markram nudges it to the leg side. |
| 34.6 : K Rajitha to Markram, It pitches on off and moves away slightly, Markram blocks it well. Big over for South Africa. 14 runs came from it. |
| 35.1 : V Fernando to Kock, Good length delivery on off, Quinton taps it back to the bowler. |
| 35.2 : V Fernando to Kock, Length delivery on off, the ball moves slightly away after pitching. De Kock looks to defend but goes towards point with the outer half of the bat. |
| 35.3 : V Fernando to Markram, FOUR! Good length delivery outside off, Markram is well set on the crease and cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 35.4 : V Fernando to Markram, Back of a length delivery on middle and leg, Markram tucks it towards mid-wicket. It is wide of the fielder and Markram quickly comes back for the second. Brings up the 50-run partnership between these two. |
| 35.5 : V Fernando to Markram, Good length delivery on off and middle, Aiden defends it off his back foot. |
| 35.6 : V Fernando to Markram, Full on middle and leg, Markram pushes it to the fielder at mid on. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva to roll his arm over. |
| 36.1 : de Silva to Kock, Tossed up on off, de Kock defends it off the front foot. |
| 36.2 : de Silva to Kock, Flighted delivery on off, Quinton taps it towards point for a single. |
| 36.3 : de Silva to Markram, Floated on middle, Markram pushes it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 36.4 : de Silva to Kock, FOUR! Nice shot. Full on off, de Kock drives it through point for a boundary. |
| 36.5 : de Silva to Kock, Floated on middle, de Kock keeps it out. |
| 36.6 : de Silva to Kock, Tossed up on off, Quinton drives it back towards the bowler. |
| Change of ends for Kasun Rajitha. |
| 37.1 : K Rajitha to Markram, Good length delivery outside off, Markram shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 0.0 : OUT! Aiden Markram has been adjudged LBW! But he is not too sure about the same. Takes it upstairs. Is it going over the stumps? That's the only way he can be saved. He was a bit on the walk as well... |
| 37.2 : Rajitha to Markram, OUT! No, It is not going over the stumps and it is umpire's call. Aiden Markram departs! Timely wicket for Sri Lanka. Good length delivery on off, Markram looks to defend but gets hit on the thigh pad due to the movement on this one. The bowler appeals and the umpire raises his finger immediately. Markram goes for the review. The replays show that impact is in line and the ball is clipping the top of off stump. Aiden has to walk back after playing a really good knock. |
| Debutant Wiaan Mulder walks out to bat for the first time in his Test career. |
| 37.3 : K Rajitha to Mulder, Welcomes the debutant with a bouncer. Mulder sways away from it. |
| 37.4 : K Rajitha to Mulder, Good length delivery outside off, Wiaan leaves it alone. |
| 37.5 : K Rajitha to Mulder, FOUR! What a way to get off the mark in Test cricket. Good length delivery outside off, Mulder keeps his eyes on the ball and drives it through point for a boundary. |
| 37.6 : K Rajitha to Mulder, Back of a length delivery on off and middle, Mulder defends it. |
| Suranga Lakmal back into the attack. |
| 38.1 : S Lakmal to Kock, No ball. Good length delivery on off, de Kock blocks it. The umpire signals it as no ball as Lakmal oversteps his line. |
| S Lakmal to Kock, Good shot but for no run. Fuller length delivery on middle and leg, Quinton gets on his front foot and drives it beautifully but straight to the fielder at mid on. |
| 38.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, FOUR! Bad delivery by Lakmal. He bowls it on the pads and Quinton flicks it away through fine leg for a boundary. De Kock is in great form and won't miss out on that one. |
| 38.3 : S Lakmal to Kock, Full on middle and off, Quinton defends it with a straight bat. |
| 38.4 : S Lakmal to Kock, On a length bowled on stumps, de Kock blocks it away. |
| 38.5 : S Lakmal to Kock, Good length delivery outside off, de Kock punches it to the fielder at cover. |
| 38.6 : S Lakmal to Kock, Fuller in length, de Kock defends it to see the over. |
| 39.1 : K Rajitha to Mulder, FOUR! Nice shot. Short and outside off, Mulder cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 39.2 : K Rajitha to Mulder, Length delivery on middle, Mulder flicks it towards square leg for a run. |
| The umpire, Aleem Dar is seen inspecting Mulder's bat after that boundary. Yet to know why... |
| 39.3 : K Rajitha to Kock, Length delivery on leg, de Kock flicks it through square leg for a run. |
| 39.4 : K Rajitha to Mulder, Outside off, Mulder offers no shot. |
| 39.5 : K Rajitha to Mulder, Good length delivery outside off, Mulder shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 39.6 : K Rajitha to Mulder, OUT! The debutant is dismissed. Good length delivery on middle and leg, Mulder looks to flick but the bat gets jammed on the front pad. The bowler appeals and the umpire raises his finger immediately. The batsman consults his partner but does not go for the review. The replays show that it was a wise decision in the end. Hawk Eye shows it to be dead plumb. Now, now, now, into the bowlers... |
| Drinks are on the field. Meanwhile, Keshav Maharaj is the new man in. |
| 40.1 : S Lakmal to de Kock, Dropped. Good length delivery around off, de Kock goes for a push but gets a thick outside edge. The ball goes towards the slip cordon. Kusal Mendias at second slip dives to his right and gets his hand to it but he cannot hold onto it. The ball then goes towards the third man region and they take a couple. |
| 40.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, Full length delivery on off, de Kock pushes it towards mid off and takes a single. |
| 40.3 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, Good length delivery on the stumps, Maharaj blocks it away off his front foot to start his innings. |
| 40.4 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, Good length delivery outside off, Keshav leaves it alone. |
| 40.5 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, Full length delivery on off, Maharaj defends it. |
| 40.6 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, On the fifth stump line, Keshav offers no shot to it and lets it go to the keeper. |
| 41.1 : K Rajitha to Kock, Length delivery on off, de Kock taps it to point. |
| 41.2 : K Rajitha to Kock, Bowls it down the leg side, Quinton leaves it alone. |
| 41.3 : K Rajitha to Kock, FOUR! Nice shot. Full toss on middle, de Kock flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 41.4 : K Rajitha to Kock, FOUR! Consecutive boundaries from Quinton. Length delivery on off, de Kock drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 41.5 : K Rajitha to Kock, Length delivery on off, de Kock pushes it towards point and takes a quick single. |
| 41.6 : K Rajitha to Maharaj, OUT! Rajitha has his third. It was a very good delivery from him. It was pitched on off and it moves away slightly, Maharaj looks to defend but gets an outside edge due to the away movement on this one. Dickwella takes a good low catch to his right. The hosts lose their seventh wicket. |
| Kagiso Rabada walks out to the middle at number 9 for South Africa. |
| 42.1 : S Lakmal to Kock, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 42.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, Fifty! His third of the series. Full length delivery on off, de Kock drives it towards the fielder at deep cover and gets a single. His 17th Test fifty. He missed out on a century in the first Test and now he will look to get to the three figure mark. |
| 42.3 : S Lakmal to Rabada, On the fourth stump line, Rabada leaves it alone. |
| 42.4 : S Lakmal to Rabada, Good length delivery on off, Kagiso defends it with a straight bat. |
| 42.5 : S Lakmal to K Rabada, Fuller on middle and leg, Rabada pushes it to the fielder at mid on. |
| 42.6 : S Lakmal to Rabada, On middle and leg, Rabada flicks it away towards mid-wicket and gets a run. He will keep the strike for the start of the next over. |
| 43.1 : K Rajitha to Rabada, Good length delivery outside off, Rabada leaves it alone. |
| 43.2 : K Rajitha to Rabada, Outside off, Rabada lets it go again. |
| 43.3 : K Rajitha to Rabada, Third consecutive leave from Kagiso Rabada. Good length delivery outside off, the batsman offers no shot. |
| 43.4 : K Rajitha to Rabada, Bowls a bumper, Rabada does well to duck under it. |
| 43.5 : K Rajitha to Rabada, On off, the batsman offers a forward defense on this one. |
| 43.6 : K Rajitha to Rabada, APPEAL FOR LBW! NOT OUT! Good length delivery on leg, Rabada looks to defend but gets hit on the thigh pad. The bowler appeals but the umpire shakes his head. Probably height would have been the reason. |
| 44.1 : S Lakmal to Kock, Full on off, de Kock drives it towards mid off for a run. |
| 44.2 : S Lakmal to Rabada, Length delivery on middle, Rabada keeps it out. |
| 44.3 : S Lakmal to Rabada, Good length delivery on off, Kagiso defends it off the back foot. |
| 44.4 : S Lakmal to Rabada, Length delivery on middle, Rabada looks to defend but it goes of the inner half of the bat. It goes towards square leg. The batsmen get two runs. |
| 44.5 : S Lakmal to Rabada, Length delivery on off, Rabada drives it towards mid off. It fell short of the fielder. The batsmen take a run. |
| 44.6 : S Lakmal to Kock, Short of a length delivery, the keeper-batsman pulls it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 45.1 : K Rajitha to Kock, Short and outside off, de Kock cuts it through point. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 45.2 : K Rajitha to Kock, Good length delivery outside off, de Kock looks to defend but gets beaten by the extra bounce on this one. There was a half hearted appeal from the bowler but the umpire shakes his head. |
| 45.3 : K Rajitha to Kock, Full on middle and leg, the keeper-batsman drives it towards mid on for a run. |
| 45.4 : K Rajitha to Rabada, Good length delivery outside off, Rabada looks to drive but gets beaten on this one due to the away movement on this one. |
| 45.5 : K Rajitha to Rabada, Again on a good length outside off, Kagiso looks to defend but misses it. |
| 45.6 : Rajitha to K Rabada, DROPPED! It was a tough chance for Dhananjaya de Silva. Full and outside off, Rabada looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge towards gully. Dhananjaya jumps and looks to take it with both hands but spills it. It was a difficult chance for him. |
| 46.1 : de Silva to Kock, Shorter in length on middle and off, de Kock punches it towards the fielder at cover. |
| 46.2 : de Silva to Kock, Again shorter in length, Quinton hits it to the fielder at mid off. |
| 46.3 : de Silva to Kock, OInce again Dhananjaya bowls it short, de Kock cuts it hard but straight to the fielder at point. |
| 46.4 : de Silva to Kock, Flighted on middle and off, Quinton defends it off his front foot. |
| 46.5 : de Silva to Kock, Flighted on middle and leg, de Kock pushes it wide of mid on and takes a single. |
| 46.6 : de Silva to Rabada, Off spinner which is shorter in length, Kagiso punches it to the fielder at cover. |
| 47.1 : K Rajitha to Kock, Shorter one outside off, chopped away behind point for a couple of runs by de Kock. |
| 47.2 : K Rajitha to Kock, Full and outside off, de Kock drives it through covers. The batsmen take a run. |
| 47.3 : K Rajitha to Rabada, Good length delivery on off, Rabada defends it off the back foot. |
| 47.4 : K Rajitha to Rabada, NO BALL! Umpire has given it for height. Bowls a bouncer down leg, Rabada does well to duck under it. |
| K Rajitha to Rabada, Bowls a bouncer, Rabada does well to duck under it. |
| 47.5 : K Rajitha to Rabada, The batsman gets a leading edge on that one. |
| 47.6 : K Rajitha to K Rabada, Full on middle, Rabada drives it towards mid on for a run. |
| 48.1 : de Silva to Rabada, Tossed up on leg, Rabada blocks it off his front foot. |
| 48.2 : de Silva to Rabada, Flighted on off, Kagiso blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 48.3 : de Silva to Rabada, Tossed up on leg, Rabada pushes it uppishly wide of the fielder at mid-wicket and towards long on for a single. |
| 48.4 : de Silva to Kock, Shorter in length on off, de Kock cuts it towards point and takes a single. |
| 48.5 : de Silva to Rabada, Shorter in length, Rabada punches it to the fielder on off side. |
| 48.6 : de Silva to Rabada, On the pads, Rabada tucks it away towards mid-wicket and gets a single. |
| Vishwa Fernando into the attack. |
| 49.1 : V Fernando to Rabada, Good length delivery on off, Rabada defends it off the back foot. |
| 49.2 : V Fernando to Rabada, Full on leg, Rabada flicks it over mid-wicket. Lasith trying to collect the ball almost slips. |
| 49.3 : V Fernando to Kock, Bowls a bouncer, de Kock lets it pass through to Dickwella. |
| 49.4 : V Fernando to de Kock, Length delivery on off, de Kock looks to defend but gets an outside edge towards point. The batsmen take a run. |
| 49.5 : V Fernando to Rabada, Good length delivery outside off, Rabada looks to defend but gets beaten due to the movement on this one. |
| 49.6 : V Fernando to Rabada, Full on off, Rabada drives it to mid off. |
| Lasith Embuldeniya to have a go again. He has bowled just 4 overs so far. |
| 50.1 : L Embuldeniya to Kock, FOUR! Nice cover drive from Quinton. Full on off, de Kock latches onto it and drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 50.2 : L Embuldeniya to Kock, Flighted delivery on leg, de Kock pushes it to short fine leg. |
| 50.3 : L Embuldeniya to Kock, Floated on middle and leg, de Kock nudges it to the leg side. |
| 50.4 : L Embuldeniya to Kock, Tossed up on middle, de Kock pushes it towards square leg. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 50.5 : Embuldeniya to Rabada, APPEAL FOR LBW! NOT OUT! Tossed up on off, Rabada looks to defend but gets hit on the pads due to the turn on this one. The bowler appeals but the umpire shakes his head. Probably it might have missed the leg stump also due to too much turn on this one. |
| 50.6 : L Embuldeniya to Rabada, Loopy delivery on off, Kagiso keeps it out. |
| 51.1 : V Fernando to Kock, Good shot! Full length delivery on middle, de Kock beautifully times and hits it towards long on and gets a single. |
| 51.2 : V Fernando to Rabada, Good length delivery on middle, Rabada defends it off his back foot. |
| 51.3 : V Fernando to Rabada, Length delivery on off, Kagiso defends it with straight bat towards mid off. |
| 51.4 : V Fernando to Rabada, Pitches it on length around middle and off, Rabada tucks it to the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 51.5 : V Fernando to Rabada, Good length delivery on off, Rabada blocks it away off his back foot. |
| 51.6 : V Fernando to Rabada, Good length delivery outside off, Rabada pushes towards the fielder at point. |
| 52.1 : L Embuldeniya to Kock, Tossed up on off, de Kock plays a reverse sweep towards third man. The batsmen take a single. |
| 52.2 : L Embuldeniya to Rabada, Floated on off, de Kock defends it off the back foot. |
| 52.3 : Embuldeniya to Rabada, DROPPED! Third drop of the innings. Flighted delivery on off, Rabada drives it straight towards the bowler where Embuldeniya goes for the catch and spills it. Blood has started coming from his fingers. |
| 52.4 : D Karunaratne to Rabada, Tossed up outside off, Rabada leaves it alone. |
| Ouch! This is a big blow for Sri Lanka. Not only has he dropped the catch, but Embuldeniya is hurt. He has been stuck on the thumb of his bowling hand, his left hand. He is bleeding and he has gone off the field here. Dimuth Karunaratne will finish off this over. |
| 52.5 : D Karunaratne to Rabada, Floated on off, Kagiso blocks it well. |
| 52.6 : D Karunaratne to Rabada, Outside off, Rabada lets it go. THAT IS TEA ON DAY 1. |
| Another good session for the visitors! The second period started off with the hosts putting up some quick runs courtesy Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram. The latter though fell soon after his fifty and just before the Drinks break. Debutant Wiaan Mulder played a couple of really good-looking shots before getting out. Keshav Maharaj who then walked out did not last long either. De Kock has carried on his merry way though and made a good fifty of his own. With the support of Kagiso Rabada, he wil |
| The visitors' bowling has been really good, especially Kasun Rajitha. The same cannot be said about their fielding though. Three catches have been put down till now, which if not dropped could have possibly seen the end of the Proteas' innings. The bowlers will look to enjoy a good 20-minute break and then come back to wrap up the remaining 3 wickets as soon as possible. Will they do so or will QDK and the tail frustrate the Lankans? Join us in a while for the 3rd session to find out... |
| ... Day 1, Session 3 ... |
| We are back for the final session of play. Quinton De Kock and Kagiso Rabada to continue batting. The former will be on strike and will face Vishwa Fernando first up. Meanwhile, we also find out that Lasith Embuldeniya has gone to the hospital to get his thumb checked. Doesn't sound too good... |
| 53.1 : V Fernando to Kock, Very full ball on middle, driven towards a deepish mid on for a single by de Kock. |
| 53.2 : V Fernando to Rabada, Length ball on the pads, tucked towards mid-wicket but straight to the man stationed there. |
| 53.3 : V Fernando to Rabada, Bouncer! On middle and leg, Kagiso ducks under it and lets the ball go. |
| 53.4 : V Fernando to Rabada, Another well-directed bouncer on middle and leg, Rabada lets the ball go once more. |
| 53.5 : V Fernando to Rabada, Pushed towards the mid-wicket fielder by KG. |
| 53.6 : V Fernando to Rabada, An attempted yorker on middle, goes on the full to Rabada who pushes it back to the bowler on a bounce. |
| Kasun Rajitha to bowl from the other end. |
| 54.1 : K Rajitha to Kock, Full length delivery around off, de Kock looks to drive it through covers with a salnt bat but endss up hitting it back to the bowler through the inner half. |
| 54.2 : K Rajitha to de Kock, Shorter in length, Quinton pulls it away towards deep square leg for a single. He is in some pain and looks like he has done his groin here. |
| 54.3 : K Rajitha to Rabada, Good length delivery on middle and leg, Rabada looks to flick it towards mid-wicket but gets hit on the thigh pad he takes a quick run and the umpire signals it as leg byes. |
| 54.4 : K Rajitha to Kock, Bouncer on middle and leg, de Kock pulls it wide of the fielder at deep mid-wicket. He does well to cover the ground on his right and dives in to save the boundary. The batsmen pickup a couple. |
| 54.5 : K Rajitha to Kock, The batsman has driven it through mid-off. One run added to the total. |
| Quinton de Kock is seen struggling while running. Looks like a groin pull or something from here... The physio is on the sidelines. |
| 54.6 : K Rajitha to Rabada, FOUR! Easy for Rabada. Good length delivery on the boddy, Rabada tucks it towards the vacant fine leg region for a boundary. |
| The physio runs in now and will give some attention to De Kock. |
| 55.1 : V Fernando to Kock, Bouncer from Fernando, De Kock gets on top of the bounce and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 55.2 : V Fernando to Rabada, Easy-peasy. Good length delivery on off and middle, Rabada tucks it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end. |
| 55.3 : V Fernando to Kock, Good length delivery outside off, de Kock looks to play it thriough the line with a slant bat but misses. |
| 55.4 : V Fernando to Kock, Length delivery outside off, Quinton defends it with soft hands, guiding it in the direction of point fielder and hobbles away to the other end. |
| 55.5 : V Fernando to Rabada, On the pads, Rabada flicks it away to the on side and gets to the other end. |
| 55.6 : V Fernando to Kock, Back of a length delivery by Fernando. Quinton pulls it away to deep square leg for a single. 200 up for South Africa. |
| 56.1 : K Rajitha to Kock, Good length delivery around off, de Kock guides it towards point and takes a single. |
| 56.2 : K Rajitha to Rabada, Good length delivery outside off, de Kock need not play at those and he does not. |
| 56.3 : K Rajitha to Rabada, Beauty. Absolute beauty. Comes 'round the wicket and bowls it on length. The ball comes in with the angle and goes between Rabada's defensive bat and pad and also over the stumps. |
| 56.4 : K Rajitha to Rabada, Back of a length delivery on off and middle, Kagiso defends it. |
| 56.5 : K Rajitha to K Rabada, FOUR! Wow! What a shot by Kagiso. Good length delivery outside off, Rabada gets on his front foot and beautifully drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 56.6 : K Rajitha to Rabada, Shorter in length outside off, Rabada sways away from it. |
| 57.1 : V Fernando to Kock, FOUR! Powerful shot! Shorter in length around off, de Kock gets on his back foot and hammers it away through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 57.2 : V Fernando to Kock, FOUR! Two-in-two. Once again Fernando bowls it short and de Kock treats him the same way like the previous delivery. He pulls it away through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 57.3 : V Fernando to Kock, Full this time on the pads, Quinton flicks it away towards deep square leg for a single. |
| 57.4 : V Fernando to Rabada, Good length delivery outside off, Rabada leaves it alone. |
| 57.5 : V Fernando to Rabada, Length delivery outside off, Kagiso pushes it wide of the cover fielder and gets to the other end. |
| 57.6 : V Fernando to Kock, Fuller on off, Quinton blocks it to finish the over. 10 runs of this Vishwa over. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva back on. |
| 58.1 : de Silva to Rabada, Shorter in length on off, Rabada hits it towards cover and takes a single. |
| 58.2 : Silva to de Kock, OUT! Dhananjaya de Silva with the big breakthrough. Flighted delivery pitching on off. The ball keeps straight. De Kock was expecting it to spin in and was looking to hit it inside-out towards cover but he misses and the ball goes straight on to hit the off pole. He once again misses out on a well-deserved century. He walks back in disappointment but he has played well though and has taken his side to a respectable total. |
| Dale Steyn is the man in at number 10. |
| 58.3 : de Silva to Steyn, Shorter in length around off, Steyn punches it towrads cover and gets to the other end. |
| 58.4 : de Silva to Rabada, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 58.5 : de Silva to Rabada, Lands it on a length, Kagiso blocks it off his back foot. |
| 58.6 : de Silva to Rabada, Slower on middle, Kagiso tucks it with soft hands towards deep mid-wicket and gets a brace. |
| 59.1 : V Fernando to Steyn, Bowls this one fuller on middle, driven along the ground to mid on. |
| 59.2 : V Fernando to Steyn, Short outside off this time, played towards the cover fielder. |
| 59.3 : V Fernando to Steyn, Worked off his pads this time by Steyn but for no run. |
| 59.4 : V Fernando to Steyn, Almost bowled him there! A slow yorker attempted but it goes full and just over the bails. Steyn was way too early into that shot and was beaten all ends up. |
| 59.5 : V Fernando to Steyn, Bouncer! Dale ducks under it and lets it go. |
| 59.6 : V Fernando to Steyn, Flicked away to deep square leg off the pads by Steyn for a single. |
| 60.1 : de Silva to Steyn, A flighted ball on middle, defended with the straight bat by Steyn. |
| 60.2 : de Silva to Steyn, An off spinner on middle and leg, spins further down the leg side. Steyn misses his flick and Dickwella collects it well. A slight appeal but the umpire says not out. |
| 60.3 : de Silva to Steyn, Tucked away to the leg side for a single past short leg. |
| Review time... Rabada has been given out caught behind here but goes up immediately. Let's see what the replays have to say. Was it bat hitting ball or bat hitting ground? |
| 60.4 : de Silva to Rabada, OUT! There is a slight murmur just as the ball goes past the bat and that is enough evidence for the third umpire to ask the on-field umpire to stay with the original decision. A flatter and quicker one full outside off, Rabada goes for the drive but does not make the contact he wanted to. Dickwella collects it and appeals, the umpire raises his finger. Rabada does not think he hit the ball and goes up for a review. The Snicko though shows us a small murmur as the ball |
| Duanne Olivier walks in at number 11. |
| 60.5 : de Silva to Olivier, Olivier is beaten outside off first ball. The batsman fails to put bat on ball as it keeps straight. One run added to the total. Bye signaled by the umpire as the batsmen switch ends. |
| 60.6 : de Silva to Steyn, Well kept out by Steyn to end a successful over by Dhananjaya. |
| 61.1 : Fernando to Olivier, Full length delivery on off, Duanne defends it off his front foot. |
| 61.2 : Fernando to Olivier, OUT! Caught! Good length delivery around off, Olivier looks to defend it but gets an outside edge and the ball goes behind to the keeper. It is a very simple catch for Niroshan Dickwella behind the stump who takes it comfortably. There is a review left but Olivier does not take it as it was an obvious edge. South Africa are bowled out for 222. |
| Sri Lanka would have taken this with more than open hands at the Toss. They have bowled out South Africa for 222 after the hosts won the coin flip and elected to bat first. The start was a really bad one for the Proteas as they were 15/3 at one stage before a recovery of sorts happened by Du Plessis and Markram. The skipper fell at the stroke of Lunch but the latter continued to make a fifty. When Markram fell and Mulder followed soon after, it looked like the home team would not breach the barr |
| As for the bowling, Vishwa Fernando started the charge and picked up 3 wickets in all. Kasun Rajitha also picked 3 of his own, whereas the part-timers in Dhananjaya de Silva and Dimuth Karunaratne picked up 3 between them. The fielding was a slight let-down, with 3 catches being dropped. Maybe the hosts could have been bowled out earlier otherwise but the Lions will not mind this either. They will look to bat well now and see off the remainder of the day with not much loss in terms of wickets. L |
| 0.1 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, FOUR! Edgy and lucky start for Sri Lanka. Steyn starts with a good length delivery on middle, it comes back in slightly. Karunaratne looks to defend but gets a thick outside edge which flies past third slip and gully for a boundary. It hasn't been South Africa's day and it continues to be so. |
| 0.2 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, On middle and leg, Dimuth tucks it away to the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 0.3 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Good length delivery outside off, Karunaratne leaves it alone. |
| 0.4 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, On the pads, Karunaratne flicks it towards mid-wicket and Mulder there dives to his right and stops a certain boundary. |
| 0.5 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Full on off and middle, Dimuth pushes it towards the fielder at mid off. |
| 0.6 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Good length delivery pitching outside leg, Karunaratne looks to flick but gets a slight edge on that one and it flicks off his pads and goes towards the fine leg region. Steyn goes up in appeal but the umpire turns it down. The batsmen take a single. |
| Kagiso Rabada to share the new ball. |
| 1.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, The ball is way wide down the leg side and the batsman lets it go. |
| 1.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Another one bowled well down the leg side, left alone by Dimuth. |
| 1.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Finally gets his line right, Karunaratne defends from the crease with a straight bat. |
| 1.4 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Short pitch delivery down the leg side, the southpaw leaves it alone by ducking a bit. |
| 1.5 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, On the pads once more, Karunaratne misses his flick and the ball runs off his thigh pad towards fine leg for a run. |
| 1.6 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Left alone from a length outside off by Thirimanne. |
| 2.1 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Good length delivery around off, Dimuth jumps and defends it. |
| 2.2 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Length delivery on middle, the ball comes back in after pitching. Karunaratne does well to defend it. |
| 2.3 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Good length delivery outside off, Karunaratne has nothing to do with it and leaves it alone. |
| 2.4 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Another good ball by Steyn. Good length delivery on middle the ball jags back in. Karunaratne looks to defend but misses and the ball hits him on his groin. |
| 2.5 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Once again bowls it on length, Dimuth defends it. |
| 2.6 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Another inswinger from Dale. Dimuth misses his defense and gets hit on the thigh. |
| 3.1 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Good length delivery on middle and leg, Thirimanne gets it towards the fine leg through the inner half of his bat. He takes a single. |
| 3.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Length delivery outside off, Dimuth leaves it alone. |
| 3.3 : K Rabada to D Karunaratne, Fuller on middle and leg, Karunaratne pushes it to the fielder at mid on. |
| 3.4 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Back of a length delivery on the stumps, Karunaratne defends it off the back foot. |
| 3.5 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Outside off, Karunaratne leaves it alone. |
| 3.6 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, The skipper has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 4.1 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, On the fifth stump line, Thirimanne leaves it alone. |
| 4.2 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, This time on the fourth stump line, Thirimanne shoulders arms to it. |
| 4.3 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Good length delivery around off stump, Lahiru blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 4.4 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, This one comes in just a bit after pitching. Lahiru looks to defend it and does so with the lower half of the bat. |
| 4.5 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, On the pads this time, Thirimanne flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 4.6 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, On the fourth stump line, Thirimanne leaves it alone. The ball bounces on its way to de Kock who takes it around his face. |
| 5.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Good in swinging bouncer. On middle and leg, Dimuth sits under it and lets it go. de Kock dives to his left and tries to catch it, he gets his hand to it but cannot hold onto it. |
| 5.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Outside off, Dimuth leaves it alone. |
| 5.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, On the pads, Karunaratne flicks it to the fielder on the on side. |
| 5.4 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Back of a length delivery on off, Karunaratne defends it off his back foot. |
| 5.5 : K Rabada to D Karunaratne, FOUR! Another unlucky one for South Afrians. Good length delivery around off, forcing Dimuth to play at that. He gets an outside edge which bounces just short of the slip fielder and goes right in between the first and second slip for a boundary. |
| 5.6 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, FOUR! Third boundary of the innings and the first one of the middle of the bat. Slightly fuller in length outside off, Karunaratne gets on his front foot and hits it through covers for a boundary. |
| 6.1 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Short length ball on middle, kept out by Thirimanne towards mid-wicket. |
| 6.2 : D Steyn to L Thirimanne, A length ball on middle, the ball goes off the inner edge towards deep fine leg for a single. |
| 6.3 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Full outside off, driven towards mid off by Dimuth. |
| 6.4 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Karunaratne remains in his crease and pushes this ball towards mid on off his back foot. |
| 6.5 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Left alone outside off on this occasion. |
| 6.6 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Another ball outside off, left alone. |
| 7.1 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Worked off the pads by Thirimanne but the ball goes towards the square leg fielder in the circle. |
| 7.2 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, A length ball on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 7.3 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Good solid defense from Lahiru to this length ball on off. |
| 7.4 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Bouncer! On middle and Thirimanne ducks under it and lets the ball go. |
| 7.5 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Length ball on top of off stump, defended towards the off side. |
| 7.6 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Quick single to end the over. On the pads, pushes it wide of mid on does Thirimanne and sets off for a run. |
| 8.1 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Defended off the back foot by Thirimanne. |
| 8.2 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Left alone outside off this time by Lahiru. |
| 8.3 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Another leave outside the off stump by Lahiru. |
| 8.4 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Slightly ahead of a good length this time, defended with soft hands towards mid-wicket. |
| 8.5 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Kept out by Thirimanne on the front foot outside off. |
| 8.6 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, FOUR! 'Catch it' was the call. A length ball outside off, Karunaratne stands tall and looks to defend this ball towards point. It goes off the thick outside half and runs through slip and gully for a boundary. |
| 9.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, FOUR! Fuller one on the pads, flicked away beautifully by Karunaratne towards mid-wicket for a boundary. The lead of South Africa is under 200 now. |
| 9.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Outside off on a length, defended towards point. |
| 9.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Keeps this one back towards the bowler off the back foot. |
| 9.4 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Pushed towards mid-wicket from the crease. |
| 9.5 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Around the wicket from Rabada, delivers it outside off. Left alone by the Sri Lanka skipper. |
| 9.6 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Almost! A length ball outside off and Dimuth looks to play at the ball. It moves a bit and just whizzes ever so closely past the edge. |
| Duanne Olivier comes on to bowl now. |
| 10.1 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, Starts off with a length delivery on middle and it moves away from the left-hander. Thirimanne leaves it alone. |
| 10.2 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, Defended off the back foot by the southpaw. |
| 10.3 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, A short of a length ball on middle, kept out by Lahiru as he rides the bounce. |
| 10.4 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, Length ball outside off, fended off towards the off side. |
| 10.5 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, In the air... but drops well short. A short of a length ball on middle, Thirimanne looks to defend the ball but gets a glove and the ball lobs towards the point region but does not carry. |
| 10.6 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, Left alone outside off by Thirimanne. |
| 11.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Shorter in length on middle and leg, Dimuth ducks underneath it. |
| 11.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Good length delivery pitching on off and middle, the ball jags back in and hits Dimuth on the mid-riff region beating his defensive bat. |
| 11.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Fuller in length this time, Karunaratne defends it off his front foot. |
| 11.4 : Rabada to Karunaratne, OUT! Rabada finally gets the better of Karunaratne's defense. Good length delivery on off, the ball goes away slightly after pitching. Dimuth looks to push and gets a thick outside edge. The ball is dipping on its way towards the keeper. De Kock does well and gets down in time and takes a good catch. The umpires go upstairs to check the no ball and guess what? Rabada has just and I mean just by a thin hair has his heel behind and the skipper walks back. Kagiso gets h |
| Drinks have been taken. South Africa have finally managed to break this opening stand after almost 12 overs. They will look for more wickets. Meanwhile, Oshado Fernando walks in at number 3. |
| 11.5 : K Rabada to Fernando, Welcomes Oshada with a fast yorker on off. Fernando does well to get his bat down and keep it away. |
| 11.6 : K Rabada to Fernando, Length delivery on middle and leg, Ferenando defends it towardas mid-wicket. |
| 12.1 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, A length ball on top of middle, pushed back towards the bowler by Thirimanne. |
| 12.2 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, FOUR! Good timing that! A short length ball on top of middle, just guided away through the point region for a boundary. |
| 12.3 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, Short of a length, Lahiru badly mistimes his pull towards mid on. All along the ground though. |
| 12.4 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, Well outside off, the LT misses his drive. |
| 12.5 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, FOUR! Well-controlled! A short wide ball outside off and Thirimanne stands tall and cuts it beautifully behind point for a boundary. There is a good chase by Bavuma but he cannot keep the ball inside despite a good dive. |
| 12.6 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, Kept out watchfully towards the bowler. |
| 13.1 : K Rabada to Fernando, Good length delivery on off, Oshada defends it with a straight bat. |
| 13.2 : K Rabada to Fernando, Good length delivery outside off, Fernando looks to push it but gets beaten and the ball goes past his outside edge. |
| 13.3 : K Rabada to Fernando, Fuller in length on the stumps, Fernando defends it off his front foot. |
| Review time... Du Plessis has taken this one upstairs. Loud appeal from the bowler and keeper for caught behind but the batsman seems unmoved and pretty confident. Let's see what the replays have to say. |
| 13.4 : K Rabada to Fernando, Nothing, absolutely nothing there. Good length delivery on off, the ball swings away just a bit after pitching. Fernando looks to push it on the off side but misses. De Kock goes up in appeal so does all of the slip cordon. Rabada appeals but does not seem so sure. Du Plessis consults with the keeper and takes it upstairs. The replays shows there was nothing on Snicko and South Africa lose their review. A real waste of a review here by the Proteas, it looked not out t |
| 13.5 : K Rabada to Fernando, This one keeps low! A length ball on off and Fernando is on his back foot to keep this out but the ball goes below the bat. The line is outside off so the batsman is safe. |
| 13.6 : K Rabada to Fernando, Left alone outside off by Oshado. |
| 14.1 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, Left alone outside off and from a length by Thirimanne. |
| 14.2 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, Peach! A fuller length ball outside off and Thirimanne is coaxed into a drive. The ball though just beats the outside edge and goes to the keeper. |
| 14.3 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, Length ball on the pads, flicked towards the mid-wicket region. |
| 14.4 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, Short of a length outside off, cut away towards deep point for a single. |
| 14.5 : D Olivier to Fernando, OUT! Played on! Fernando is gone for 0! A length ball just outside off and Oshado tries to defend the ball but gets it off the higher part of the bat. The bat seemed to have come down a little late from Fernando. It goes onto the top of middle stump. South Africa seem pumped up now and not too worried about the loss of the review. |
| Kusal Mendis is the new man in at 4. |
| 14.6 : D Olivier to Mendis, Bouncer! On middle to welcome the new batsman. Mendis ducks under it and lets it go. |
| Dale Steyn back on. |
| 15.1 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Good length delivery on the stumps, Lahiru defends it off the back foot. |
| 15.2 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Good length delivery on off, Thirimanne defends it off the back foot. |
| 15.3 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, On off, Thirimanne defends it towards point and takes a quick run. |
| 15.4 : D Steyn to Mendis, Good length delivery outside off, Mendis shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 15.5 : D Steyn to K Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Mendis looks to defend but gets an outside edge towards gully. |
| 15.6 : D Steyn to K Mendis, Again on a good length on off, Kusal looks to defend but gets an outside edge towards point. The batsmen get two runs. |
| 16.1 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, Good length delivery on off, Thirimanne looks to defend but gets an outside edge towards slips. It fell short of the fielder. |
| 16.2 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, Length delivery on off, Thirimanne defends it towards point and takes a quick run. |
| 16.3 : D Olivier to Mendis, FOUR! Good shot. Length delivery on middle and leg, Mendis flicks it past short leg and it goes through square leg for a boundary. |
| 16.4 : D Olivier to Mendis, It was a surprise delivery by Olivier. Good length delivery on off, Mendis looks to cut but gets a glove due to the extra bounce on this one. It goes towards third slip where Bavuma runs to reach to the ball but it fell short of him. |
| 16.5 : D Olivier to Mendis, FOUR! Nice shot from Kusal. Short and outside off, Mendis cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 16.6 : D Olivier to Mendis, Good length delivery on middle, Mendis defends it off the back foot. |
| 17.1 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Again an edge falls short of the fielder. Back of a length delivery around off. It rises onto the batsman. Thirimanne looks to play it on the off side but gets a thick outside edge. The ball falls short of the diving gully fielder and goes behind towards the third man region. Thirimanne gets a couple. |
| 17.2 : D Steyn to L Thirimanne, Good length delivery on middle and off, it comes back in after pitching. Lahiru looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pad. |
| 17.3 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Length delivery on off and middle Thirimanne defends it off his back foot. |
| 17.4 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, FOUR! That is a good shot from Lahiru. Back of a length delivery around off, Thirimanne rocks onto his back foot and punches it through cover-point for a boundary. |
| 17.5 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Length delivery on off, the ball goes away after pitching. Lahiru looks to defend but gets beaten by the away swing. |
| 17.6 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Outside off, Thirimanne does not disturb the ball on its way to the keeper. |
| 18.1 : D Olivier to Mendis, NO BALL! Olivier oversteps! Short of a length delivery, Mendis pulls it to mid-wicket. |
| D Olivier to Mendis, Good length delivery outside off, Mendis leaves it alone. |
| 18.2 : D Olivier to Mendis, FOUR! Nice straight drive from Kusal. Full on middle, Mendis drives it straight past the bowler for a boundary. |
| 18.3 : D Olivier to Mendis, BEATEN! Good length delivery outside off, Mendis looks to defend but misses it. There was good shape on this one. |
| 18.4 : D Olivier to Mendis, Length delivery on middle and leg, Mendis flicks it through square leg. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 18.5 : D Olivier to Mendis, Good length delivery outside off, Kusal looks to defend but gets beaten due to the away movement on this one. |
| 18.6 : D Olivier to Mendis, OUT! Sri Lanka lose their third wicket. Finally Olivier gets his man. After beating the outside edge several times Duanne eventually finds it and sends Kusal Mendis packing. Good length delivery outside off, Mendis looks to defend but gets an outside edge due to the slight away movement on this one. It goes to Quinton de Kock who takes the catch comfortably. Replays show that there was a clear nick when the ball passed the bat. |
| Nightwatchman Kasun Rajitha comes in at number 4 to see off the day. |
| 19.1 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Good length delivery on off, Thirimanne defends it off the front foot. |
| 19.2 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Outside off, Thirimanne shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 19.3 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Good length delivery outside off, Lahiru leaves it alone. |
| 19.4 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Good length delivery on off, Thirimanne defends it off the back foot. |
| 19.5 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Length delivery on middle and leg, Thirimanne flicks it towards square leg for a run. Rajitha will face the last ball of the day. |
| 19.6 : D Steyn to Rajitha, Good length delivery on off, Rajitha plays it back towards the bowler and nearly gives a catch to Steyn. It fell just short of him. THAT IS STUMPS ON DAY 1. SRI LANKA ARE 60/3. THE VISITORS TRAIL BY 162 RUNS. |
| South Africa have bounced back in this one. They have managed to pick up 3 wickets in the 20 overs that they bowled and after one stage where it looked like Sri Lanka had a stronghold on this game, now the hosts have put up their hand for some share as well. The home side needed early wickets and after the Sri Lankan openers started resiliently, Rabada got the breakthrough and ended the 25-run opening stand. Oshada Fernando didn't last long and was soon dismissed. Kusal Mendis was looking good i |
| It was an action-packed Day 1 as 13 wickets fell. The day started with the hosts straightaway on the back foot losing 3 early wickets. Aiden Markram and Faf du Plessis then stitched together a 58-run stand. The Proteas skipper soon departed and Markram was joined by Quinton de Kock. Markram got to his fifty but couldn't last long. De Kock continued his good form and his 86 runs took the South African total to a respectable 222. Vishwa Fernando and Kasun Rajitha were the pick of the bowlers picki |
| Thus, the game is evenly poised. The away team though should be very happy with how things have panned out. They will need a good innings from one or two of their batsmen which will help them get closer to the total of the hosts, unlike the first Test where they passed up an opportunity to get a first innings lead. Sri Lanka will not look any farther than the first match's hero, Kusal Perera. What will happen on Day 2? Will the hosts run through the middle order or will the Island nation pile up |
| ... Day 2, Session 1 ... |
| Welcome to Day 2 of this second Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka. A fast-paced Day One saw 13 wickets go down and the game pretty evenly poised at the end. As for who will be the happier side, it is hard to say. One though will reckon that a few quick wickets this morning and the hosts will consider themselves to be in the driver's seat. The pitch, which is on the slower side, is still offering some assistance to the bowlers who are bending their back. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will l |
| We are all set to begin. The players and umpires are out in the middle. Lahiru Thirimanne and Kasun Rajitha are out in the middle for Sri Lanka. Duanne Olivier will start the proceedings for South Africa. |
| 20.1 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, Starts with a shortish delivery, Thirimanne looks to duck but the ball hits him on the body and goes to the keeper. |
| 20.2 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, Length delivery on middle and leg, Thirimanne flicks it towards square leg for a run. First run of the day. Olivier now has 4 balls to bowl at the nightwatchman. |
| 20.3 : D Olivier to Rajitha, Good length delivery on off, Rajitha keeps it out. He negotiates the first ball nicely. |
| 20.4 : D Olivier to Rajitha, Outside off, Rajitha leaves it alone. |
| 20.5 : D Olivier to K Rajitha, Good length delivery on off, Rajitha looks to defend but gets an outside edge which goes along the ground towards gully. |
| 20.6 : D Olivier to Rajitha, Plays the four balls well. Good length delivery on off, Rajitha defends it off the back foot. Just a run from the first over of the day. |
| Kagiso Rabada to bowl from the other end. |
| 21.1 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Good length delivery outside off, Thirimanne leaves it alone. |
| 21.2 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Again on a good length outside off, Thirimanne easily lets it go. |
| 21.3 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Third consecutive leave from Lahiru. Outside off, Thirimanne shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 21.4 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Good length delivery on off, Thirimanne defends it off the front foot. |
| 21.5 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Length delivery on middle and leg, Thirimanne flicks it towards square leg for a run. |
| 21.6 : K Rabada to Rajitha, Good length delivery on off, Rajitha looks to defend but it was a nasty delivery from Rabada. He manages to defends it and the ball dies down. |
| 22.1 : D Olivier to Thirimanne, Length delivery on middle and leg, Thirimanne flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 22.2 : Olivier to Thirimanne, OUT! A wicket in the third over of the day! Olivier has struck and it is in the form of a good return catch. Good length delivery on middle, Thirimanne looks to drive but while playing the shot, the bat turns in his hands. As a result, it goes of the bottom blade back to Olivier. The good thing from the bowler is that he does not take a big followthrough to his left, which normally fast bowlers do. Hence, he does not have to move much to his right. Still, it was a ve |
| Kusal Perera, the hero of the last Test, walks out to the middle. Sri Lanka will want him to repeat his feat of the last game. |
| 22.3 : D Olivier to Perera, Ouch! That has hit him and he looks in a little pain. Good short ball to welcome the centurion of the last game. It is a rib-tickler. Perera fails to get bat on it and is hit there. He takes a breather and now is fine to continue. |
| 22.4 : D Olivier to Perera, Another bouncer, this time Kusal ducks under it. |
| 22.5 : D Olivier to Perera, Goes a touch fuller and on middle, KP gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 22.6 : D Olivier to Perera, Good nut to end the over! This pitches on off and skids through. It also angles away. Perera looks to defend but is beaten by the away angle. Top over by Olivier, a wicket-maiden. |
| 23.1 : K Rabada to Rajitha, BEATEN! Good length delivery outside off, Rajitha looks to defend but misses it due to the away movement on this one. |
| 23.2 : K Rabada to K Rajitha, Full on off, Rajitha drives it towards mid off for a run. |
| 23.3 : K Rabada to Perera, Length delivery on off, Perera plays it towards covers for a run. |
| 23.4 : K Rabada to Rajitha, Another play and a miss! Good length delivery outside off, Rajitha looks to defend but gets beaten on this one. |
| 23.5 : K Rabada to K Rajitha, OUT! Rabada gets his second! It was a great delivery from him. Good length delivery on off, Rajitha looks to defend but misses the line completely and gets bowled. The ball swings slightly away and it was too good for the nightwatchman to keep out. Half the side is back in the hut and Sri Lanka trail by 156 runs. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva strides out to the middle. |
| 23.6 : K Rabada to Silva, A bumper to welcome the new batsman, de Silva ducks under it. |
| 24.1 : D Olivier to Perera, Back of a length on middle, Perera keeps it out. |
| 24.2 : D Olivier to Perera, FOUR! Slashed and a boundary! Outside off, Perera throws his hands at it, it flies outside edge through point for a boundary. First boundary today. |
| 24.3 : D Olivier to Perera, Now follows the boundary with a single as it is tucked around the corner. |
| 24.4 : D Olivier to Silva, One of his rare fuller deliveries, de Silva is upto the mark as he strokes it to mid on. |
| 24.5 : D Olivier to Silva, BEATEN! Lovely delivery! Length ball around off, it pitches and straightens. De Silva ends up playing inside the line and gets beaten. Olivier has his tails up here. |
| 24.6 : Olivier to Silva, Bowls the surprise yorker, de Silva gets his bat down in time and keeps it out. End of another testing over by Olivier. |
| 25.1 : K Rabada to K Perera, FOUR! Nice shot by Kusal. Full and outside off, Perera drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary. |
| 25.2 : K Rabada to Perera, Good comeback by Rabada. It was bowled on a good length outside off, Perera looks to defend but gets beaten by the movement on this one. |
| 25.3 : K Rabada to K Perera, Full on middle, Perera drives it to mid on. |
| 25.4 : K Rabada to Perera, Length delivery outside off, Perera pushes it to covers. Good fielding by Temba Bavuma. |
| 25.5 : K Rabada to K Perera, FOUR! Good shot. Good length delivery on off, Perera looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man for a boundary. |
| 25.6 : K Rabada to Perera, SIX! THAT IS OUT OF THE GROUND! Length delivery on off, Perera lofts this over extra cover for a biggie. It almost went into the roof. Big over for Sri Lanka. 14 runs came from it. |
| 26.1 : D Olivier to Silva, Edged and just short!!! South Africa almost had their third one this morning. Brilliant ball on a length outside off and swinging away. de Silva looked to defend but the ball takes the edge and goes towards third slip but falls short of Elgar. |
| 26.2 : D Olivier to Silva, FOUR! Goes really full this time on the middle stump line, flicked away through mid-wicket for a boundary. Really good balance on that one by Dhananjaya. |
| 26.3 : D Olivier to Silva, Defended from the crease on this occasion by the right-hander. |
| 26.4 : D Olivier to Silva, FOUR! Another amazing shot from de Silva! Short of a length outside off and Dhananjaya pulls it away through square leg for a boundary. Meeting fire with fire here these two batsmen. |
| 26.5 : D Olivier to Silva, Kept out watchfully off a good length on top of off stump. |
| 26.6 : D Olivier to de Silva, FOUR! Third of the over! This time off an edge, an educated edge though as my colleague says. De Silva was in full control there as he opened the face of the bat and got a thick edge that ran all along the ground between third slip and gully towards the third man boundary. |
| 27.1 : K Rabada to Perera, OUT! EDGE AND GONE! Rabada gets his third. Sri Lanka are in huge trouble now. The hero of the last Test gets dismissed. Good length delivery outside off, Perera looks to defend but gets an outside edge due to the shape on this one. It goes to Quinton de Kock who takes an easy catch. The visitors are six down in no time. |
| 0.0 : Niroshan Dickwella is the new man in. |
| 27.2 : K Rabada to N Dickwella, Full on off, Dickwella drives it through mid off. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 27.3 : K Rabada to N Dickwella, Good length delivery on off, Dickwella looks to defend but gets an outside edge towards gully. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 27.4 : K Rabada to Silva, Short of a length delivery, Silva pulls it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs. 100 up for Lanka. |
| 27.5 : K Rabada to Silva, Good length delivery on off, Silva looks to defend but gets hit on the thigh pad. |
| 27.6 : K Rabada to Silva, Outside off, Silva lets it go. End of a successful over for South Africa. |
| 28.1 : D Olivier to Dickwella, Bowls a bumper, Dickwella does well to duck under it. |
| 28.2 : D Olivier to Dickwella, FOUR! Nice shot. Full on middle and leg, Dickwella drives it through mid on for a boundary. |
| 28.3 : D Olivier to Dickwella, SIX! Good shot from Niroshan. Short of a length delivery, Dickwella pulls it over fine leg for a maximum. Rabada dives and tries to stop the ball but it is very wide of him. It went flat so the umpires want to check whether the ball carried over the rope or not. The replays show that it has gone over the ropes. |
| 28.4 : D Olivier to Dickwella, NO BALL! Olivier oversteps! Short of a length delivery, the keeper-batsman pulls it to mid-wicket. |
| D Olivier to Dickwella, Bowls a bouncer, Dickwella does well to duck under it. |
| 28.5 : D Olivier to Dickwella, Length delivery on off, Niroshan plays it towards point for a run. |
| 28.6 : D Olivier to Silva, FOUR! Nice shot. Full on off, Silva drives it straight past the bowler through mid off for a boundary. Big over for Sri Lanka. 16 runs came from it. |
| 29.1 : K Rabada to Dickwella, Lovely bowling! From over the wicket, bowls it full and takes it away from the left-hander. Dickwella is drawn into the drive, he goes after it without any foot movement. Luckily for him though, gets beaten. |
| 29.2 : K Rabada to Dickwella, Gets this one to come back in! Shorter in length and on middle, it jags back in. Beats the inside edge of Dickwella's bat and hits him on the thigh pad and goes to first slip. |
| 29.3 : K Rabada to Dickwella, Now bangs it short and it is on the body of the batsman. Dickwella ducks but then at the very end looks to pull. Does not connect. |
| 29.4 : K Rabada to Dickwella, On the off pole, Dickwella gets right behind the line and keeps it out. He finally gets bat to one ball in this over. |
| 29.5 : K Rabada to Dickwella, Gets bat to another one as it is worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 29.6 : K Rabada to Silva, On the pads, it is worked through square leg for a run. |
| Wiaan Mulder to bowl for the first time in Test cricket. |
| 30.1 : W Mulder to Silva, Good length delivery on off, de Silva defends it off the back foot. |
| 30.2 : W Mulder to Silva, Good length delivery on middle, Dhananjaya pushes it to mid-wicket. |
| 30.3 : W Mulder to Silva, Again on a good length on off, de Silva defends it off the back foot. |
| 30.4 : W Mulder to Silva, Outside off, de Silva shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 30.5 : W Mulder to Silva, Good length delivery again on middle, de Silva keeps it out. |
| 30.6 : Mulder to Silva, Bowls a yorker on middle, de Silva manages to dig it out. End of a good over from the debutant Wiaan Mulder. He starts with a maiden. |
| Dale Steyn is on. |
| 31.1 : D Steyn to Dickwella, FOUR! Poor start from Steyn. Bowls short and outside off, Dickwella cuts it through point for a boundary. Sri Lanka trail below 100 runs. |
| 31.2 : D Steyn to Dickwella, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries from Niroshan. Good length delivery on off, Dickwella makes room and plays an upper cut over slips towards third man for a boundary. |
| 31.3 : D Steyn to Dickwella, Good length delivery outside off, Dickwella looks to pull but gets beaten due to the away movement on this one. |
| 31.4 : D Steyn to Dickwella, On off, Dickwella defends it off the back foot. |
| 31.5 : D Steyn to Dickwella, Good length delivery outside off, Dickwella looks to defend but gets beaten due to the movement on this one. |
| 31.6 : D Steyn to Dickwella, Dickwella is beaten thrice in this over. Good length delivery outside off, Niroshan looks to defend but gets beaten on this one. |
| 32.1 : W Mulder to Silva, Good length delivery on off, de Silva defends it off the front foot. |
| 32.2 : W Mulder to Silva, On middle, de Silva defends it off the back foot. |
| 32.3 : W Mulder to Silva, OUT! MAIDEN TEST WICKET FOR MULDER. 9 deliveries is all it took him to do so. A top nut also. It is a good length delivery on off, which means the batsman has to play at it. The ball however seams away, takes the outside edge and goes towards de Kock who takes a comfortable catch. South Africa into the bowlers now. |
| Suranga Lakmal is the new man in. |
| 32.4 : W Mulder to Lakmal, Full on off, Lakmal defends it out. |
| 32.5 : W Mulder to Lakmal, Length delivery on middle, Lakmal flicks it to the leg side. |
| 32.6 : Mulder to Lakmal, APPEAL FOR LBW! NOT OUT! Good length delivery on middle and leg, Lakmal looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals but the umpire shakes his head. South Africa think abput the review and decide against it. Replays show that it was missing the stumps. |
| 33.1 : D Steyn to Dickwella, Short and outside off, Dickwella cuts it through point. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 33.2 : D Steyn to Dickwella, FOUR! Nice shot. Short and outside off, Dickwella cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 33.3 : D Steyn to Dickwella, Length delivery on off, the keeper-batsman plays it towards point for a run. |
| 33.4 : D Steyn to Lakmal, Good length delivery outside off, Lakmal looks to defend but gets beaten due to the away swing on this one. |
| 33.5 : D Steyn to Lakmal, On off, Suranga defends it off the front foot. |
| 33.6 : D Steyn to Lakmal, FOUR! Good shot. Full on off, Lakmal drives it straight through mid off for a boundary. 11 runs came from it. |
| Keshav Maharaj is into the attack. |
| 34.1 : K Maharaj to Dickwella, FOUR! Floated on middle and leg, Dickwella sweeps it towards fine leg. It goes towards the fielder there. Rabada dives and tries to stop it but it goes past him to the fence. |
| 34.2 : K Maharaj to Dickwella, Tossed up on off, Dickwella looks to play the reverse sweep but gets beaten on this one. |
| 34.3 : K Maharaj to N Dickwella, Short delivery, Dickwella pulls it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 34.4 : K Maharaj to Lakmal, Flighted delivery on off, Suranga defends it off the front foot. |
| 34.5 : K Maharaj to Lakmal, Short on off, Lakmal cuts it to point. |
| 34.6 : K Maharaj to S Lakmal, The batsman has edged that one. They manage to come back for the second. |
| Wiaan Mulder is back into the attack. A change of ends for him. |
| 35.1 : W Mulder to Dickwella, Good length delivery outside off, Dickwella lets it go. |
| 35.2 : W Mulder to N Dickwella, Short delivery on middle, Dickwella pulls it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs. |
| 35.3 : W Mulder to Dickwella, BEATEN! Good length delivery on middle, Dickwella looks to play the scoop but misses it. |
| 35.4 : W Mulder to Dickwella, Bowls a bouncer, Dickwella does well to duck under it. |
| 35.5 : W Mulder to Dickwella, FOUR! 150 up for Sri Lanka. Nice improvisation from Niroshan. Length delivery on middle, Dickwella plays a scoop over the keeper for a boundary. |
| 35.6 : W Mulder to Dickwella, Good length delivery on off, Dickwella looks to play inside the line but misses it. |
| 36.1 : K Maharaj to Lakmal, Tosses it up on middle, Lakmal blocks it out. |
| 36.2 : K Maharaj to Lakmal, On the shorter side, Lakmal goes back and whips it through mid-wicket. Takes a run. |
| 36.3 : K Maharaj to Dickwella, Swept and nicely but just for a run to deep square leg. |
| 36.4 : K Maharaj to Lakmal, BEATEN! Slower through the air on middle, it pitches and turns square. Goes past Lakmal's outside edge. Should have probably played ahead to this delivery. |
| 36.5 : K Maharaj to Lakmal, Just like this one! Similar to the last ball, Lakmal lunges and keeps it out. |
| Review time... Suranga Lakmal has been judged LBW here by the umpire but he has gone upstairs. Looked like it could be just clipping the leg stump to the naked eye. Let's see whether the replays feel the same... |
| 36.6 : Maharaj to Lakmal, OUT! Three reds and Lakmal has to walk back, he takes a review along with him. Did not see that coming though. With the angle, it looked like it would just about be clipping but Hawk Eye shows differently. South Africa won't care though. After two tossed up delivery, Maharaj bowls it flatter and lands it on middle. Lakmal goes back to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. An appeal follows and the umpire raises his finger. Lakmal reviews. Replays show that the on-fiel |
| Vishwa Fernando walks in at number 10. He will be the last batsman to the crease as Embuldeniya won't be able to bat. Also, Kagiso Rabada is back on. |
| 37.1 : K Rabada to Dickwella, Good length delivery on off, Dickwella defends it off the front foot. |
| 37.2 : K Rabada to Dickwella, Short of a length delivery, Dickwella looks to pull but gets hit on the shoulder. It goes towards first slip. |
| 37.3 : K Rabada to Dickwella, Bowls a yorker just outside off, Dickwella makes room and looks to drive but misses it. |
| 37.4 : K Rabada to Dickwella, OUT! GONE! Short of a length delivery outside off, Dickwella makes room and looks to play an upper cut but gets it off the lower portion and it goes in the air behind the slip cordon. Elgar from third slip runs back and takes a good catch. A good innings by Dickwella comes to an end. So that is the end of the Sri Lankan innings as Lasith Embuldeniya will not come out to bat. SRI LANKA FINISH AT 154/9. |
| Such a disappointing morning for Sri Lanka! After the manner they bowled on Day 1, they have absolutely shown no intent to bat long here. They just went for their shots, got quick runs but also lost a lot of wickets and have been bowled out in the process. After beginning the day at 60/3, the away team lost a wicket in the very third over and the procession began from there on. Duanne Olivier and Kagiso Rabada removed the middle order together and put the visitors in a position where getting a l |
| As for the bowling, all of the South African bowlers hit their straps from last evening itself. Olivier got three and Rabada picked up four wickets, Maharaj and debutant Mulder had one each whereas Dale Steyn was the only one who went wicketless. The lead of 68 runs is going to be more than handy on this track and South Africans will look to come and bat Sri Lanka out of this game. Meanwhile, the visitors will have to try and pick early wickets in the hosts' second innings. We will be back in a |
| 0.1 : S Lakmal to Markram, Starts with a good length delivery on off, Markram defends it off the back foot. |
| 0.2 : S Lakmal to Markram, Good length delivery again on off, Markram keeps it out. |
| 0.3 : S Lakmal to Markram, Again on a good length on off, Aiden blocks it off his back foot. |
| 0.4 : S Lakmal to Markram, On off, Aiden defends it out. |
| 0.5 : S Lakmal to Markram, Length delivery on off, Markram plays it towards point for a single. First runs for South Africa in this innings. |
| 0.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Length delivery on off, Elgar pushes it towards point for a run. |
| Vishwa Fernando to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : V Fernando to Elgar, Good length delivery outside off, Elgar shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 1.2 : V Fernando to Elgar, Outside off, Dean leaves it alone. |
| 1.3 : V Fernando to Elgar, Good length delivery again outside off, Elgar offers no shot. |
| 1.4 : V Fernando to Elgar, Bowls a yorker on off, Elgar manages to dig it out at the last moment. |
| 1.5 : V Fernando to Elgar, Good length delivery outside off, Dean leaves it alone. |
| 1.6 : V Fernando to Elgar, APPEAL FOR LBW! NOT OUT! Good length delivery on leg, Elgar looks to push but gets hit on the pads. The ball came back in and the line is too straight. Fernando appeals but the umpire shakes his head. A maiden over from Vishwa Fernando. |
| 2.1 : S Lakmal to Markram, A length ball outside off, Markram pats it towards cover and picks up a quick single. |
| 2.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Around the wicket and on a shorter length outside off, watchfully defended by Elgar from the crease. |
| 2.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Another back foot defense towards cover by the southpaw this time. Looks for a single does Markram there but is sent back by Dean Elgar wisely. |
| 2.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Straighter in line and on the top of middle stump, pushed back towards the bowler with soft hands. |
| 2.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Outside off and left alone by the batsman. |
| 2.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Another leave outside off to end the 3rd over. Good disciplined bowling so far... |
| 3.1 : V Fernando to Markram, Full on off, Markram plays it through covers for a run. |
| 3.2 : V Fernando to Elgar, Good length delivery on off, Elgar keeps it out. |
| 3.3 : V Fernando to Elgar, Again on a good length on middle, Elgar blocks it well. |
| 3.4 : V Fernando to Elgar, Length delivery on off, Dean plays it towards covers for a run. |
| 3.5 : V Fernando to Markram, Full on leg, Markram flicks it to square leg. |
| 3.6 : V Fernando to Markram, Length delivery on leg, Markram flicks it towards fine leg for a run. |
| 4.1 : S Lakmal to Markram, Length delivery on off, Markram pushes it to point. |
| 4.2 : S Lakmal to Markram, Bowls it down the leg side, Markram still goes after it but misses it. Dickwella fails to collect it cleanly but does not concede a run. |
| 4.3 : S Lakmal to Markram, Length delivery on middle, Markram flicks it to the leg side. |
| 4.4 : S Lakmal to A Markram, Length delivery on off, Markram looks to defend but gets an outside edge towards slips. |
| 4.5 : S Lakmal to Markram, FOUR! First boundary of the innings. Nice shot. Too full on off, Markram drives it through mid off for a boundary. |
| 4.6 : S Lakmal to Markram, On off, Aiden defends it out. |
| 5.1 : V Fernando to Elgar, Bowls on a good length on off, Elgar keeps it out. |
| 5.2 : V Fernando to Elgar, OUT! Fernando strikes! Sri Lanka get a wicket right at the stroke of Lunch. Again. What is with the hurry to eat food for the Saffas? Yesterday it was Faf. Today, it was Elgar. Good length delivery outside off, Dean looks to defend but ends up playing inside the line and gets an outside edge. The reason for the edge is that there was hardly any foot movement from DE. He had to reach out to that and seemed to be more worried about the ball coming in. That indecision cost |
| South Africa do not enter Lunch unscathed. Exactly what Sri Lanka would have wanted in the little time they had before the break. Majority of the first session though did not belong to them. A poor batting display saw them concede a decent lead. However, they head into the break with momentum on their side and they would hope they can carry it forward in the post-Lunch session. |
| South Africa on the other hand, need a couple of good sessions and one would probably believe they would bat the Lankans out of the game as the lead then would be above the 250-run mark. They still have a lot of batting to come and they would hope each and every batter who bats can contribute. Join us for the second session in a while. |
| ... DAY 2, SESSION 2 ... |
| We are back after Lunch. The players and umpires are out in the middle. Aiden Markram is out there and Hashim Amla will join him in the middle. Amla will face the first ball of this session by Vishwa Fernando as he will finish off what remains of his over. |
| 5.3 : V Fernando to Amla, Hashim Amla avoids a golden pair. Good length delivery outside off, Amla shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 5.4 : V Fernando to Amla, Good length delivery on off, Amla keeps it out. |
| 5.5 : V Fernando to Amla, Length delivery on middle and leg, Amla flicks it through square leg. The batsmen pick up a couple. Hashim Amla is off the mark. |
| 5.6 : V Fernando to Amla, Length delivery on leg, Amla flicks it towards the leg side for a run. |
| Suranga Lakmal to continue from the other end. |
| 6.1 : S Lakmal to Amla, Good length delivery on middle, Amla keeps it out. |
| 6.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, On off, Amla blocks it well. |
| 6.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, Good length delivery on off, Hashim defends it off the back foot. |
| 6.4 : S Lakmal to Amla, On a good length outside off, Amla lets it go. |
| 6.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, Again on a good length on off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 6.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, FOUR! Nice shot. Length delivery on middle and leg, Amla flicks it through square leg for a boundary. Easy pickings for Hashim Amla. |
| 7.1 : V Fernando to Markram, Full outside off, Markram drives it towards covers for a run. |
| 7.2 : V Fernando to Amla, FOUR! Cracking shot from Hashim. Length delivery on off, Amla drives it beautifully through covers. The fielder tries to stop it but it goes through him for a boundary. Amla is so good with his back foot drives. |
| 7.3 : V Fernando to Amla, Short of a length delivery, Amla looks to pull but misses it. |
| 7.4 : V Fernando to Amla, Good length delivery on off, Amla defends it off the back foot. |
| 7.5 : V Fernando to Amla, Length delivery on middle, Amla pushes it to the leg side. |
| 7.6 : V Fernando to Amla, Good length delivery on leg, Amla defends it off the back foot. |
| 8.1 : S Lakmal to Markram, On a good length on off, Markram defends it off the back foot. |
| 8.2 : S Lakmal to Markram, Good length delivery on middle, Markram keeps it out. |
| 8.3 : S Lakmal to Markram, FOUR! Nice punch from Aiden. Short and outside off, Markram cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 8.4 : S Lakmal to Markram, Good length delivery on off, Markram plays it back towards the bowler. Lakmal tries to stop it but it goes through him. It hits the stumps at his end and goes towards mid-wicket. But no run for South Africa. |
| 8.5 : S Lakmal to Markram, Length delivery on middle and leg, Markram flicks it towards square leg for a run. |
| 8.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, Outside off, Amla shoulders his arms to this one. |
| Kasun Rajitha is on now. |
| 9.1 : K Rajitha to Markram, FOUR! Expansive but that was there to be hit. Short and width on offer, Markram transfers his weight on the back foot and punches it over covers for a boundary. Welcome into the attack Rajitha. Lead is one short of 100. |
| 9.2 : K Rajitha to Markram, Down the leg side, Markram looks to flick but misses. Would have been a wide in an ODI but not in Tests. |
| 9.3 : K Rajitha to Markram, Outside off this time, it has been left alone. |
| 9.4 : K Rajitha to Markram, On the off pole, Markram gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 9.5 : K Rajitha to Markram, Another one which is angled into the off stump, Markram defends it right off the middle. |
| 9.6 : K Rajitha to Markram, OUT! What a catch that is! Markram stands there in disbelief and then slowly turns back and starts walking to the pavilion. Rajitha strikes in his first over but all credit has to be given to the fielder here. Not a great delivery, it was one which batsmen love. Full and on the pads, Markram senses an opportunity to hit it for a boundary. He flicks it right off the middle, he does not keep it down though. It is still a little away from the fielder. Oshada Fernando, how |
| Temba Bavuma walks in at number 4, will be careful about his running this time hopefully... |
| 10.1 : S Lakmal to Amla, Length delivery on off, Bavuma drives it through covers. The batsmen pick up a couple. Bavuma is off the mark straightaway. |
| 10.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, Good length delivery on middle, Amla defends it off the back foot. |
| 10.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, Good length delivery again on off, Amla keeps it out. |
| 10.4 : S Lakmal to Amla, Length delivery on off, Amla plays it to point. |
| 10.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, On off, Amla defends it out. |
| 10.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, Good length delivery on off, Hashim defends it off the back foot. |
| 11.1 : K Rajitha to Bavuma, A little too straight, this is worked to fine leg for an easy run. |
| 11.2 : K Rajitha to Amla, Nicely driven! This is through cover-point. There is a fielder in the deep and it results only a single. |
| 11.3 : K Rajitha to Bavuma, Attacks the off pole, Bavuma blocks it out. This is the length and the line Rajitha should be bowling. |
| 11.4 : K Rajitha to Bavuma, Once again the line is too straight, it is worked to mid on. |
| 11.5 : K Rajitha to Bavuma, In the 5th stump channel, left alone. |
| 11.6 : K Rajitha to Bavuma, Slight hesitation there. Bavuma strokes it towards the bowler, he makes a half-stop. The ball deflects towards mid off. TB thinks of a run but then is sent back. |
| 12.1 : S Lakmal to Amla, On the off stump, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 12.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, Back of a length on off, Amla gets right behind the line and defends it. |
| 12.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, In the corridor of uncertainty, Amla leaves at the last moment. |
| 12.4 : S Lakmal to Amla, Angles it into the batsman, Amla confidently strokes it to mid on. |
| 12.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, Gets it to rise from a length around off, Amla looks to defend but the ball hits the sticker. |
| 12.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, Goes wide off the crease and slants it in on off, Amla with the angle defends it to mid-wicket. Maiden. |
| 13.1 : K Rajitha to Bavuma, Outside off, Bavuma shuffles across and makes an easy leave. |
| 13.2 : K Rajitha to Bavuma, Leading edge but a run! Starts on the leg stump and then seams away a little. Bavuma looks to flick but it goes off the leading edge towards deep point for a single. |
| 13.3 : K Rajitha to H Amla, FOUR! Edgy but Amla won't mind! It looked a little deliberate though. Outside off, Amla plays it with soft hands and also an angled face. It takes the outside edge and races to the third man fence. |
| 13.4 : K Rajitha to Amla, This time he plays it with a straight face and times it to mid off. |
| 13.5 : K Rajitha to Amla, Another solid stroke but to the man at covers. |
| 13.6 : K Rajitha to Amla, Once again a little confusion! Full and on off, Amla strokes it towards mid off. It is to his right. The batsmen think of a run but then at the right time opt against it. |
| 14.1 : S Lakmal to Bavuma, Works it with the angle to wide mid on for a quick run. |
| 14.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, On the off stump, Amla goes back and blocks it out. |
| 14.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, Fuller in length, Amla drives it nicely but can't get it past mid off. No movement for Lakmal, even on the fuller deliveries. |
| 14.4 : S Lakmal to Amla, Goes short but at Lakmal's pace it is too easy for Amla to go back, pull it to deep square leg and cross ends. |
| 14.5 : S Lakmal to Bavuma, Goes back to bowling length but the line is outside off, Bavuma shoulders arms. |
| 14.6 : S Lakmal to Bavuma, Bowls it on the pads, Bavuma flicks it to deep square leg and retains strike. The partnership is 11 between the two, the lead is 111. |
| 15.1 : K Rajitha to Bavuma, Lovely bowling! But Bavuma probably could have left that. Slightly outside off, Bavuma now due to his initial movement, is standing on off. He then looks to defend but gets beaten as he plays inside the line. The bowler puts in an appeal but he is the only one doing so. |
| 15.2 : K Rajitha to Bavuma, On the shorter side, Bavuma cracks it through point. There is a fielder in the deep, a single is taken. |
| 15.3 : K Rajitha to Amla, On the off pole, Amla easily defends it. |
| 15.4 : K Rajitha to Amla, Just behind the driving length, Amla looks to drive but then the length wasn't there. He checks his shot and it goes to the man at covers. |
| 15.5 : K Rajitha to Amla, Outside off, left alone. |
| 15.6 : K Rajitha to Amla, Good running! Amla drops it towards point and scampers across to the other end. The fielder does have a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. |
| Vishwa Fernando is back on. |
| 16.1 : V Fernando to Amla, On the shorter side but it bounces up to a comfortable height for the batsman. Amla goes back and pulls it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 16.2 : V Fernando to Bavuma, On the off pole, Bavuma plays outside the line, it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 16.3 : V Fernando to Amla, Outside off, looking to get the ball back in. No swing though and Amla shoulders arms to it. |
| 16.4 : V Fernando to Amla, On the off pole this time, Amla plays it very late as he defends it onto the ground. |
| 16.5 : V Fernando to Amla, On the shorter side and angling across the batsman, Amla shoulders arms to this one. |
| 16.6 : V Fernando to H Amla, In the air... dropped! Or is it? If it is, that is an absolute dolly. Karunaratne, the skipper, will be the culprit. Fernando's introduction back into the attack almost worked. Good change in length there. Fernando bends his back on this one and bowls it short. Amla is hurried into the pull, it seems to have hit his glove and lobbed towards first slip. DK there backtracks, gets two hands to it but fails to hang on. Now the reaction of the bowler shows that it was a ch |
| 17.1 : K Rajitha to T Bavuma, Full on middle, Bavuma drives it back towards the bowler where Rajitha stops it from his left foot. It hits his foot and goes towards mid on. Good fielding from the bowler. |
| 17.2 : K Rajitha to Bavuma, Good length delivery outside off, Bavuma shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 17.3 : K Rajitha to T Bavuma, Full on middle and leg, Bavuma drives it to mid on. |
| 17.4 : K Rajitha to Bavuma, Outside off, Temba covers the line of the stumps and lets it go. |
| 17.5 : K Rajitha to Bavuma, Good length delivery on off, Bavuma looks to leave the ball but gets hit on the pads. |
| 17.6 : K Rajitha to Bavuma, Full on off, Temba drives it to covers. |
| 18.1 : V Fernando to Amla, Outside off, Amla shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 18.2 : V Fernando to Amla, Length delivery on middle, Amla flicks it towards square leg for a run. |
| 18.3 : V Fernando to Bavuma, Full outside off, Bavuma drives it to mid off. |
| 18.4 : V Fernando to Bavuma, Good length delivery on middle, Bavuma looks to defend but gets it of the inner half of the bat. It goes to square leg. |
| 18.5 : V Fernando to Bavuma, On off, Bavuma defends it off the back foot. |
| 18.6 : V Fernando to Bavuma, Length delivery on leg, Bavuma flicks it to the leg side. |
| DRINKS! It has been a good passage of play for both the teams. Sri Lanka did get the early wicket of Aiden Markram but Hashim Amla and Temba Bavuma have steadied the ship. The visitors will look to get two to three wickets quickly and put pressure on the hosts. |
| 19.1 : K Rajitha to Amla, On the off pole, Amla lunges and keeps it out. |
| 19.2 : K Rajitha to Amla, Outside the off pole, Amla does not play at it. |
| 19.3 : K Rajitha to Amla, Once again hits the length and bowls it on off, Amla easily keeps it out. |
| 19.4 : K Rajitha to Amla, Top shot! Does not go to the boundary but fetches three. Short and a little bit of width on offer. Amla rocks back quickly and then punches it through wide mid off. Perera there hares after it and keeps it in play just before it crosses the ropes. 50 up. |
| 19.5 : K Rajitha to Bavuma, Goes fuller this time and Bavuma strokes it back to the bowler. |
| 19.6 : K Rajitha to Bavuma, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Once again Bavuma plays at a ball which he could have left and that brings about his downfall. Once again, nothing great about the delivery. It is on a length and in the 5th stump channel. Now if Bavuma stands normally, he will probably be leaving that ball but due to his shuffle, he ends up standing on off when he plays the ball. Hence, he goes after this one, ends up playing inside the line. The ball takes the outside edge and goes to the right |
| Faf Du Plessis makes his way out at number 5. |
| 20.1 : V Fernando to Amla, Good length delivery on off, Amla defends it off the front foot. |
| 20.2 : V Fernando to Amla, Length delivery on off, Amla pushes it towards third man for a run. |
| 20.3 : V Fernando to du Plessis, FOUR! Nice shot from the skipper. Full toss outside off, du Plessis drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 20.4 : V Fernando to Plessis, Good length delivery on off, du Plessis keeps it out. |
| 20.5 : V Fernando to Plessis, FOUR! Second boundary of the over. Cracking cover drive from the captain. Full and outside off, du Plessis drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary. |
| 20.6 : V Fernando to Plessis, Length delivery on middle, Faf flicks it towards square leg for a run. Big over for South Africa. 10 runs came from it. |
| 21.1 : K Rajitha to Plessis, FOUR! Faf is dealing boundaries here! Another easy ball to him. On the pads, he flicks it through mid-wicket and the ball races away. |
| 21.2 : K Rajitha to Plessis, Good length and outside the off pole, left alone. |
| 21.3 : K Rajitha to Plessis, Another one outside off, another leave. |
| 21.4 : K Rajitha to Plessis, On the off pole this time, du Plessis has to play at it and he does so with a forward defense. |
| 21.5 : K Rajitha to Plessis, Fullish and on off, Faf du Plessis strokes it to mid off. He looks positive here. |
| 21.6 : K Rajitha to Plessis, Drags his length back but the line is the same. Blocked. |
| 22.1 : V Fernando to Amla, Angles it away from the off pole, left alone. |
| 22.2 : V Fernando to Amla, On the pads, it is tucked around the corner for an easy run. |
| 22.3 : V Fernando to Plessis, On the off stump and it is defended. |
| 22.4 : V Fernando to Plessis, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 22.5 : V Fernando to Plessis, On the pads, Faf looks to flick but misses. It hits his thigh pad and rolls towards square leg for a run. Leg bye given. |
| 22.6 : V Fernando to Amla, A little too straight this one and Amla works it to fine leg for a single. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva is into the attack. |
| 23.1 : de Silva to Amla, Tossed up on middle, Amla flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 23.2 : de Silva to H Amla, Flighted delivery on middle, Amla drives it towards mid on for a run. |
| 23.3 : de Silva to Plessis, On middle, the skipper pushes it off the back foot. |
| 23.4 : de Silva to Plessis, On middle, du Plessis pushes it to mid-wicket. |
| 23.5 : de Silva to du Plessis, Tossed up on middle and leg, du Plessis drives it towards mid on for a run. |
| 23.6 : de Silva to Amla, On middle again, Amla blocks it well. Good start by Dhananjaya de Silva. Just 2 runs came from the over. |
| 24.1 : V Fernando to Plessis, On the stumps, Faf pushes it to mid on. |
| 24.2 : V Fernando to Plessis, Easy again for du Plessis! On the pads, it is flicked through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 24.3 : V Fernando to Plessis, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 24.4 : V Fernando to Plessis, Second leave in a row as it is once again outside off. |
| 24.5 : V Fernando to Plessis, On the shorter side again, this is pushed down to mid off for a run. |
| 24.6 : V Fernando to Amla, Works it with the angle towards deep square leg for a single. |
| 25.1 : de Silva to Amla, Floated on off, Amla defends it off the back foot. |
| 25.2 : de Silva to Amla, On middle, Hashim blocks it well. |
| 25.3 : de Silva to Amla, Flighted delivery on middle and leg, Amla pushes it towards short leg where it fell short of him. The fielder does well to stop it and saves runs for his team. |
| 25.4 : de Silva to Amla, Tossed up on middle, Amla looks to defend but gets an edge to the off side. |
| 25.5 : de Silva to Amla, Flighted delivery on off, Hashim keeps it out. |
| 25.6 : de Silva to Amla, Loopy delivery on middle, Amla flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 26.1 : V Fernando to Amla, Length delivery on middle, Amla flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 26.2 : V Fernando to du Plessis, Full on middle, du Plessis drives it to mid on. |
| 26.3 : V Fernando to Plessis, Bowls a bouncer, du Plessis does well to duck under it. |
| 26.4 : V Fernando to Plessis, Length delivery on middle, du Plessis tucks it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 26.5 : V Fernando to Amla, Outside off, Amla shuffles across the line and leaves it alone. |
| 26.6 : V Fernando to Amla, Outside off again, Amla shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 27.1 : de Silva to Plessis, FOUR! Good shot. Short and outside off, du Plessis makes room and slaps it through covers for a boundary. |
| 27.2 : de Silva to du Plessis, FOUR! Tossed up on off, du Plessis looks to defend but gets an outside edge. However, it goes fine of first slip towards third man for a boundary. |
| 27.3 : de Silva to Plessis, Flighted delivery on middle, the skipper nudges it to the leg side. |
| 27.4 : de Silva to Plessis, Full on middle and leg, du Plessis drives it towards mid on for a run. |
| 27.5 : de Silva to Amla, On middle, Amla defends it off the back foot. |
| 27.6 : de Silva to Amla, Flighted delivery on off, Amla keeps it out. |
| Suranga Lakmal replaces Fernando. |
| 28.1 : S Lakmal to Plessis, On a length and outside off, the batter does not play at it. |
| 28.2 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Once again it is outside off, the batsman does not fiddle with it. |
| 28.3 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Third leave in a row as another delivery is outside off. |
| 28.4 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Finally gets bat to one but this too was outside off. Since it was short, Faf goes back and punches it through point for a couple. |
| 28.5 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Outside off and another leave. |
| 28.6 : S Lakmal to Plessis, The final ball is bowled on the stumps, Faf works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 29.1 : de Silva to Plessis, Flighted delivery on off, du Plessis defends it out. |
| 29.2 : de Silva to Plessis, Floated on middle, du Plessis tucks it towards the leg side for a run. |
| 29.3 : de Silva to Amla, OUT! Taken at slip this time! Amla is not as lucky as his partner as this time the ball goes into the hands of first slip. Also, the Lankans have learnt from their mistake in the last over and moved the slip fielder a little more finer and that has paid dividends. The straighter one from de Silva, it lands on off. Amla defends for the non-existent turn. It goes off the outside edge and low towards Mendis. He gets his hands down in time and takes it. Amla does not make his |
| Quinton de Kock walks out to the middle. |
| 29.4 : de Silva to Kock, Tosses it up on off, de Kock keeps it out. |
| 29.5 : de Silva to Kock, Flighted ball on middle, de Kock prods forward and pushes it to mid on. |
| 29.6 : de Silva to Kock, A single to end a successful over for Lanka. It is short and outside off, the batter slaps it through covers and a run is taken. |
| 30.1 : S Lakmal to Kock, Good length delivery on middle, de Kock pushes it to mid on. |
| 30.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, Length delivery on off, de Kock plays it to third man. |
| 30.3 : S Lakmal to Kock, Good length delivery on off, Quinton keeps it out. |
| 30.4 : Lakmal to Kock, OUT! Soft dismissal! Wicket right at the stroke of a break again. It was Elgar before Lunch and now de Kock before Tea. A slightly shorter in length delivery on middle and leg, de Kock looks to push at it with hard hands. The ball however, sticks in the surface and also bounces a touch extra. De Kock looks to check his shot but by then, the ball hits the higher portion of the bat and lobs back towards Lakmal. He stretches his hands out to the left and takes it. He throws it |
| The last ten minutes have just changed the way the game was looking. Two wickets, that of Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock will have given Sri Lanka the much-needed boost before the Tea break. Shoulders were dropping and the game seemed to be going away from the Lankans as the partnership between Amla and du Plessis was budding along. Dhananjaya though got a wicket against the run of play and Lakmal got De Kock caught and bowled. This interesting match has gotten even more interesting with South |
| The session began with the hosts starting at 10/1 but they soon slipped to 51/3 as they lost both Markram and Bavuma. Then came the decent stand between Hashim and Faf. Just when it looked like the match was going into the Tea break with the home team only 3 down and the happier one, the tide has turned again. Sri Lanka have come back into this Test and are only a wicket away from getting into the Proteas bowlers. Meanwhile, the hosts who will be pondering how they lost two wickets in two overs |
| ... Day 2, Session 3 ... |
| We are back for the final session which is going to be a long but one can expect it to be an exciting one. Faf du Plessis makes his way out to the middle. He walks out with Wiaan Mulder who is the new batsman. The latter will be on strike and he will face Lakmal who has two balls to go in this over. |
| 30.5 : S Lakmal to Mulder, FOUR! Lovely shot first ball! A fuller length ball on off and middle, Mulder presents the straight bat and pushes it wide of mid off for a boundary. |
| 30.6 : S Lakmal to Mulder, Kept out off a good length towards square leg. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva to bowl from the other end. |
| 31.1 : de Silva to Plessis, Tossed up on off, du Plessis keeps it out. |
| 31.2 : de Silva to Plessis, Full on middle, the skipper drives it to mid on. |
| 31.3 : de Silva to Plessis, FOUR! The outside edge goes to the other side of slip this time. Tossed up on off, du Plessis looks to turn it away on the leg side but closes the bat face a little too early. He gets an outside edge that flies quick and wide of first slip. It goes towards third man for a boundary. Second time lucky for Faf! The last time the ball took a really fine edge and it went to the left of that slip whereas this time the ball went square and away to the right of him. Talk about |
| 31.4 : de Silva to Plessis, Floated on off, the skipper keeps it out. |
| 31.5 : de Silva to Plessis, Flighted delivery on middle, Faf defends it off the back foot. |
| 31.6 : de Silva to Plessis, On middle and leg, du Plessis plays it to mid on. |
| 32.1 : S Lakmal to Mulder, Fuller length ball on middle, push-driven towards mid on. |
| 32.2 : S Lakmal to Mulder, Length ball outside off, defended with soft hands on the off side. |
| 32.3 : S Lakmal to Mulder, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. One run added to the total. 100 up for South Africa. The lead is now 168. |
| 32.4 : S Lakmal to du Plessis, Full on middle, du Plessis plays it to mid off. |
| 32.5 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Good length delivery on middle, du Plessis defends it off the front foot. |
| 32.6 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Full on middle and leg, the skipper drives it to mid on. |
| 33.1 : de Silva to Mulder, Tossed up on off, Mulder defends it off the back foot. |
| 33.2 : de Silva to Mulder, Floated on off, Mulder drives it back to the bowler. |
| 33.3 : de Silva to Mulder, OUT! Another edge! And taken beautifully by Mendis at first slip! Sri Lanka strike immediately after the break. Tossed up on off, Mulder comes forward, looks to defend but gets an outside edge. It goes straight into the bucket hands of Kusal Mendis who takes his second catch. The hosts have lost three wickets in the space of 10 runs. South Africa are in deep trouble now. |
| Keshav Maharaj walks in at number 8. |
| 33.4 : de Silva to Maharaj, A flatter ball outside off, defended with soft hands towards the off side. |
| 33.5 : de Silva to Maharaj, Another flatter one on middle, Maharaj should have really been playing ahead to that one. In the end, just manages to get his bat down in time to prevent himself from being plumb in front. |
| 33.6 : de Silva to Maharaj, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. A wicket maiden from Dhananjaya. |
| 34.1 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Length ball outside off, defended with soft hands towards the off side. |
| 34.2 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Good length delivery on off, du Plessis defends it off the back foot. |
| 34.3 : S Lakmal to Plessis, On off, the skipper keeps it out. |
| 34.4 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Length delivery on middle, du Plessis pushes it to mid on. |
| 34.5 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, Outside off, Maharaj lets it go. |
| 34.6 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, Bowls a bumper, Maharaj does well to duck under it. |
| 35.1 : de Silva to Plessis, Floated on middle, du Plessis flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 0.0 : Run out appeal! A direct-hit from Siriwardena at mid off. Looked like Maharaj was inside the crease to the naked eye but he ran at an angle at the end. Can that cause any problems? |
| 35.2 : de Silva to Maharaj, NOT OUT! Maharaj is just in by inches despite running at an angle! Tossed up on off, Maharaj drives it towards mid off and sets off for a quick single. Siriwardena, the substitute fielder at mid off picks up the ball cleanly and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. It is referred upstairs and the replays show that the batsman was just in. It was touch and go eventually but the third umpire has ruled it in the favour of the batsman. Looked like the right decision. S |
| 35.3 : de Silva to Plessis, Flatter one outside off, defended with soft hands by Du Plessis. |
| 35.4 : de Silva to Plessis, Shorter one outside off, Faf cuts it away through covers for a single. |
| 35.5 : de Silva to Maharaj, A quick and fuller one on middle, pushed by Maharaj towards the right of mid on for a single. |
| 35.6 : de Silva to Plessis, A flatter one on middle, pushed away towards mid-wicket by Faf to end the over. |
| 36.1 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, Fuller one outside off, Maharaj pats it towards mid on and picks up another risky single. This time though, the fielder fails to collect the ball cleanly. |
| 36.2 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Good length delivery on off, du Plessis plays it towards mid off. |
| 36.3 : S Lakmal to Plessis, On off, du Plessis defends it off the back foot. |
| 36.4 : S Lakmal to Plessis, FOUR! Nice shot. Full on middle and leg, du Plessis flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 36.5 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Good length delivery outside off, the skipper easily lets it go. |
| 36.6 : S Lakmal to Plessis, On off, du Plessis blocks it off his back foot. |
| 37.1 : de Silva to Maharaj, Tossed up on off, Maharaj plays it to covers. |
| 37.2 : de Silva to Maharaj, Flighted delivery on off, Maharaj keeps it out. |
| 37.3 : de Silva to Maharaj, Floated on middle and leg, Maharaj sweeps it to square leg. |
| 37.4 : de Silva to Maharaj, Tossed up on off, Keshav blocks it off his front foot. |
| 37.5 : de Silva to K Maharaj, Flighted delivery on off, Maharaj looks to defend but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man. The fielder chases it and does well to stop it before the ropes. The batsmen get three runs. |
| 37.6 : de Silva to Plessis, Floated on off, the skipper keeps it out. |
| 38.1 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, A good length delivery outside off, Maharaj comes ahead and defends the ball towards the off side. |
| 38.2 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, Good length delivery on middle and leg, Maharaj looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball lobs onto the pitch. If short leg would have been there it would have been a catch. |
| Now a short leg is in place! |
| 38.3 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, On off, Maharaj keeps it out. |
| 38.4 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, OUT! LBW! That is as plumb as it gets. South Africa lose their 7th. Good length delivery on middle and leg, Lakmal looks to flick but misses it and gets hit on the pads. There was a hint of inward movement on this one. Lakmal appeals and the umpire raises his finger straightaway. Keshav has a word with his skipper but then he decides against the review. Kagiso Rabada is the next batsman in. |
| 38.5 : S Lakmal to Rabada, Good length delivery on off, Rabada defends it out. |
| 38.6 : S Lakmal to Rabada, Again on a good length on off, Rabada blocks it well. |
| 39.1 : de Silva to Plessis, Tossed up on middle, du Plessis flicks it towards the leg side for a run. |
| 39.2 : de Silva to Rabada, Floated on middle, Rabada defends it off the back foot. |
| 39.3 : de Silva to Rabada, Flighted delivery on middle, Kagiso defends it off the back foot. |
| 39.4 : de Silva to Rabada, Tossed up on off, Rabada keeps it out. |
| 39.5 : de Silva to Rabada, Floated on off, Rabada blocks it off the front foot. |
| 39.6 : de Silva to Rabada, Tossed up on off, Rabada looks to defend but misses it. |
| 40.1 : S Lakmal to Plessis, A length ball just outside off, Du Plessis dabs it towards covers off the back foot. |
| 40.2 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Full and outside off, du Plessis drives it through covers for a run. |
| 40.3 : S Lakmal to K Rabada, OUT! South Africa lose their eighth wicket. Lakmal gets his third and he has struck twice in two overs. Good length delivery outside off, Rabada looks to defend towards the off side but gets an outside edge. It almost went of the top of the bat of Rabada. It goes towards second slip where Kusal Mendis takes a comfortable catch. Poor Faf... running out of partners. |
| Dale Steyn walks in next, at number 10. |
| 40.4 : S Lakmal to Steyn, Bouncer to welcome Steyn. Dale ducks under that one and lets it go. |
| 40.5 : S Lakmal to D Steyn, Goes full this time outside off, driven towards mid off by Steyn. |
| 40.6 : S Lakmal to Steyn, On a length and kept out by Steyn down the ground. |
| 41.1 : de Silva to Plessis, Flatter one on middle, du Plessis manages to bring his bat down in time despite playing it on the back foot. Turns it away towards square leg for a single. |
| 41.2 : de Silva to Steyn, OUT! What a brilliant catch! The ghosts of the first innings return all over again, South Africa have lost their way. From 90/3 to 116/9! A flatter ball on middle, Steyn comes ahead and looks to turn it away on the leg side but manages to hit it in the air and only as far as Thirimanne at short leg. Lahiru fails to grab it in the first attempt but manages to gobble it in the second. Sri Lanka have made a stunning comeback in this game! |
| Duanne Olivier is the last man in. |
| 41.3 : de Silva to Olivier, Defended by Olivier on the front foot to a flatter ball outside off. |
| 41.4 : de Silva to Olivier, Tossed up on off, Olivier defends it off the front foot. |
| 41.5 : de Silva to D Olivier, Floated on off, Olivier looks to defend but gets an outside edge. It goes wide of first slip. It goes towards third man for a run. |
| 41.6 : de Silva to Plessis, NO BALL! Madness here at Port Elizabeth! Du Plessis is stumped off a no ball. A flatter one outside off by Dhananjaya and it keeps low. Faf comes ahead and looks to smash it over mid off but misses the ball. The keeper collects and removes the bail. The umpire though wants to check the front foot. Lo and behold! Dhananjaya has overstepped. The innings will continue. Dhananjaya de Silva has his head in his shirt in shame, a no ball for a spinner. Unforgiveable! |
| de Silva to Plessis, Bowls this one down the leg side. Left alone by the batsman. |
| 42.1 : S Lakmal to Olivier, Good length delivery on middle, Olivier defends it to the on side. |
| 42.2 : S Lakmal to Olivier, On middle, Olivier keeps it out. |
| 42.3 : S Lakmal to Olivier, On a good length on middle, Olivier defends it off the back foot. |
| 42.4 : S Lakmal to Olivier, Bowls a yorker on off, Olivier somehow manages to dig it out. |
| Review time... Loud appeal from Sri Lanka for an LBW. Olivier is struck in front but height seems to be an issue. Let's see what the replays have to say... |
| 42.5 : S Lakmal to Olivier, NOT OUT! Yes, height is an issue. The Ball Tracker shows us that the ball is missing the stumps. A length ball on middle, Olivier steps ahead and looks to flick this away on the leg side but misses the ball and gets hit on the knee roll. There is a loud appeal and the umpire says not out. Sri Lanka go upstairs but the replays show that the ball is seen to be missing the stumps. The innings will go on yet again. Sri Lanka have only 1 review left now. |
| 42.6 : S Lakmal to Olivier, Fuller one on middle, kept out by Duanne towards mid off. |
| Another review for LBW! This seems to be missing leg comfortably. That is what the bowler is also thinking. But Dickwella reckons that it is worth taking... |
| 43.1 : de Silva to Plessis, NOT OUT! Again, it is missing the stumps. This time, not due to the height but due to the turn the ball is seen to be missing leg stump. A flatter ball on middle, du Plessis looks to sweep and misses the ball. A loud appeal ensues and Aleem Dar, the umpire is unmoved. A long deliberation between the SL team and in the end, Karunaratne decides to go upstairs once more. There is no inside edge and though the ball was hitting him in line, the turn causes it to miss the le |
| 43.2 : de Silva to Plessis, Tossed up on middle, du Plessis tucks it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 43.3 : de Silva to Olivier, Flighted delivery on off, Olivier looks to defend but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 43.4 : de Silva to Plessis, Short on off, du Plessis makes room and cuts it towards point for a run. |
| 43.5 : de Silva to Olivier, FOUR! Floated on middle and leg, Olivier works it fine towards fine leg. The fielder chases it and slides to stop it but in vain. It was racing away to the boundary. |
| 43.6 : de Silva to Olivier, Yorker on middle, Olivier manages to keep it out towards mid-wicket. |
| Is that the end of the innings? Faf looks confident that it is not a run out. Sri Lanka are confident that it is a run out. Who will be correct? |
| 44.1 : Lakmal to Plessis, NOT OUT! Faf is correct as Olivier has made it in. Lakmal has probably taken a little too much time to whip the bails off. It is on the pads, Faf flicks it through square leg. He takes one and goes for the second. The fielder there picks the ball up and throws it to the bowler. Lakmal collects it and dislodges the stumps. An appeal follows and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays roll in and it shows Olivier's dive has saved him. |
| The floodlights have been switched on... |
| 44.2 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Fifty for Faf du Plessis. The skipper leading from the front here. He kept losing partners at the other end but has played a very valuable knock. The hosts will hope he can add a few more. This is full and on the pads, Faf flicks it towards mid-wicket. The fielder there makes a good diving stop and he keeps it down to one. Good fielding effort that as it brings Olivier on strike. |
| Review time... Third review in three overs! This time from South Africa. Olivier has been adjudged LBW here and it being the last wicket, he has gone upstairs after consulting his skipper at the other end. Can height save him once more? |
| 44.3 : S Lakmal to Olivier, OUT! Height does not save him this time as the ball is clipping the top of leg stump. That is the end of the South African innings. Four-fer for Lakmal but let us also credit the fielder who did not let the batsmen run two on the previous ball. That meant Olivier was on strike and he fails to negotiate the next ball. It is bowled on a length and around off, it comes back in a little. Duanne lunges and tries to defend. He misses and it hits his front pad. An appeal foll |
| Finally, the innings has come to an end! I say finally because there were 3 chances for the last wicket to fall before it indeed fell at the end. What a brilliant comeback from Sri Lanka in this match. At 90/3, it looked like Du Plessis and Hashim Amla were taking this game away from them but the last 7 wickets have fallen for a measly 38 runs only! The lead has been restricted to under 200 and there is a real chance for 2-0 now! The post-Tea session began with South Africa at 91/5 and they woul |
| So, 197 is the final target. Sri Lanka will surely head into this as the favorites. History will be created if they manage to knock off these. On the other hand, South Africa will surely need early wickets if they want to defend this total. What will happen? The floodlights are on as well, due to the fading light. We will be back for the final innings of the game! Join us in ten minutes... |
| 0.1 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Sri Lanka are away! On the shorter side, takes off a little after pitching. Karunaratne nudges it to fine leg and gets to the other end. |
| 0.2 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Thirimanne is underway now! Not in convincing manner though. It is pitched on middle and it straightens a touch. LT defends outside the line, it goes off the inner half through square leg for a single. |
| 0.3 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Changes the angle and comes around the wicket. It is angled in from outside off, it does not angle in enough to make the batsman play. |
| 0.4 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Works it with the angle through mid-wicket and takes one. |
| 0.5 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Fuller in length and wide outside off, the batsman is not tempted to play the drive, he leaves it alone. |
| 0.6 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, That stays a touch low but well played. On the off pole, Karunaratne looks to defend but it goes off the inner half to square leg. Two from the first over, good start for the Lankans. |
| Kagiso Rabada to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, A little too wide outside off, the batter shoulders arms to this one. |
| 1.2 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Drags his length back but the line is again outside off, easy leave. |
| 1.3 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Changes the angle and straightaway makes the batsman play. Thirimanne keeps the ball on the stumps out with a back foot defense. |
| 1.4 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Well left! It is outside off, Thirimanne for a second looked like he would go for the drive but then bails out. |
| 1.5 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, 4th leave in the over! Outside off, the batsman need not play at those. |
| 1.6 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Bouncer! The batsman ducks under it. A maiden but not a threatening one. |
| 2.1 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, On the shorter side, Karunaratne goes back and guides it through point for a single. |
| 2.2 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Too wide, left alone. The South African bowlers are guilty of bowling a little too wide here. |
| 2.3 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Perfect! On a length and around off, Thirimanne blocks it towards cover. |
| 2.4 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, This is flicked towards square leg with the angle. |
| It has got really dark out there. The umpires are willing to continue though. |
| 2.5 : Steyn to Thirimanne, Howzzat? The answer to that question is not out. Height is the issue. It is on off and it angles into the batsman. Karunaratne fails to get bat on ball. It hits him high on the pad. An appeal follows and the umpire shakes his head. |
| 2.6 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Good leave in the end! This one comes in with the angle. Thirimanne shoulders arms to this one. It goes close past the off pole. |
| 3.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, FOUR LEG BYES! Can't give such easy runs here. On the pads, the batter fails to flick, it brushes the pads and races to the fine leg fence. |
| 3.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Now it is outside off, the batter lets it be. |
| 3.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Back of a length on off, Karunaratne stands tall and defends it onto the ground. |
| 3.4 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Inside edge! Good length and outside off, Karunaratne looks to defend but he ends up getting an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 3.5 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Wasteful delivery that! It is outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to this one. |
| 3.6 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, A confident punch! On the shorter side, Karunaratne punches it through covers and collects a brace. |
| 4.1 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Good length delivery on off, Thirimanne keeps it out. |
| 4.2 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Length delivery on middle and leg, Thirimanne nudges it towards the leg side for a run. |
| 4.3 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Good length delivery on middle and leg, Karunaratne looks to defend but gets hit on the thigh pad. |
| 4.4 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Good length delivery again on middle and leg, the skipper looks to defend but gets hit on the thigh pad. Steyn bowled this delivery at 142 kph. |
| Karunaratne is on his haunches following the second blow. Needs some time to compose himself... There is even a check of the centre guard, important to make sure that there is no breakage there. |
| 4.5 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Bowls a bouncer, Karunaratne does well to duck under it. |
| 4.6 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Good length delivery on middle, Karunaratne defends it off the back foot. |
| 5.1 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, On the off pole, Thirimanne gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 5.2 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, FOUR! Up and over! Short and outside off, Thirimanne hops, gets on top of the bounce and cuts it over point. It races away to the fence. |
| 5.3 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Rabada goes back to bowling length. The batsman keeps it out. |
| 5.4 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, One more delivery outside off, the batter shoulders arms to this one. |
| 5.5 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Second leave in a row! Thirimanne shoulders arms to this one. |
| 5.6 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Back of a length on off, Thirimanne goes back and defends it onto the ground. |
| 6.1 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, On the off stump, Karunaratne covers the line and keeps it out. |
| 6.2 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, On a length again and this is on off, DK is half-forward as he blocks it. The two openers looked assured till now. |
| 6.3 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Just as I write that, a loose shot from the batsman. The delivery was not quite there for the drive, Karunaratne still goes for it but gets beaten. |
| 6.4 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, FOUR! Easy pickings for an Asian batsman. On the pads, it is flicked through mid-wicket. The fielder gives it a chase, he tries to pull it back in but fails to do so. |
| 6.5 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Inside edge! Karunaratne is guilty of playing away from the body, to his luck though he gets an inside edge which hits him on the pad. |
| 6.6 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, FOUR! Classy! Second boundary in the over! Full and on middle, Karunaratne with the angle strokes it past mid on and it races to the fence. |
| 7.1 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Bowls it short and angles it into the batter, it is worked towards mid-wicket. The two batters look at ease at the moment. |
| 7.2 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Good length and on off, Thirimanne is once again solid in defense. |
| 7.3 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, Good running! This is clipped slightly wide of mid on and the batsmen cross ends. |
| 7.4 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, On the 5th stump channel. The batsman need not play at those and Karunaratne does exactly that. |
| 7.5 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 7.6 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, On the fuller side, the batsman strokes it to mid off. Good drive but to the fielder. |
| 8.1 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Well bowled but well played! On off, it straightens a touch. Also, the length is really good. Karunaratne adjusts to the movement and then defends it onto the ground. |
| 8.2 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Works it with the angle towards fine leg for an easy run. 172 more needed. |
| 8.3 : D Steyn to Thirimanne, Good shot, good balance there. Not a boundary but three good runs. Full and on the pads, Thirimanne does not fall over and whips it through mid-wicket. Olivier does really well to give it a chase and pull it back in. Saves a run for his side, every run his handy at the moment. |
| 8.4 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, FOUR! A boundary this time. On the shorter side, Karunaratne picks the length early and pulls it over mid-wicket. It races to the fence. |
| Meanwhile, the Sun has come out and it has become bright out there once more! |
| 8.5 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 8.6 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, On the off pole, kept out. Another good over for the Lankans, 8 from it. |
| 9.1 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, BEATEN! Good length delivery outside off, Thirimanne looks to play inside the line but gets beaten on this one. |
| 9.2 : K Rabada to Thirimanne, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Rabada draws first blood and boy, isn't he pumped up. Almost the same line and length like the previous ball. The last one went past the outside edge and this one takes it. Slightly behind a good length and it is outside off. Karunaratne maybe could have left it but he pokes at it away from his body. The ball takes the outside edge and goes into the mitts of the keeper. The budding opening stand has been cut short. 165 more needed and 9 wickets |
| Oshada Fernando is the new batsman in. |
| 9.3 : K Rabada to Fernando, Short delivery outside off, Fernando looks to play at it but misses it due to the bounce on this one. |
| 9.4 : K Rabada to Fernando, Good length delivery on off, Oshada keeps it out. |
| 9.5 : K Rabada to O Fernando, Short of a length delivery, Fernando pulls it towards deep backward square leg for a run. |
| 9.6 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Length delivery on middle, Karunaratne flicks it towards square leg for a run. |
| Duanne Olivier is into the attack. |
| 10.1 : D Olivier to Karunaratne, OUT! Two in two overs and the bowling change has worked wonders here. Karunaratne, the skipper is walking back. Both the openers are now back in the hut. The angle does him in. Length and around off, it slants away. Karunaratne plays inside the line staying rooted to his crease, the ball kisses the outside edge and de Kock makes no mistake behind. The South Africans are now fired up and Sri Lanka seem to be under pressure now. Can the hosts take a couple more befo |
| 0.0 : Kusal Mendis is the new batsman in. |
| 10.2 : D Olivier to Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Mendis defends it off the back foot. |
| 10.3 : D Olivier to Mendis, Outside off, Mendis shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 10.4 : D Olivier to Mendis, Outside off again, Kusal lets it go. |
| 10.5 : D Olivier to Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Mendis defends it off the back foot. |
| 10.6 : D Olivier to Mendis, On off, Mendis keeps it out. |
| 11.1 : K Rabada to Fernando, Length delivery on off, Fernando plays it to the off side. |
| 11.2 : K Rabada to Fernando, Good length delivery on off, Oshado defends it out. |
| 11.3 : K Rabada to Fernando, FOUR! First boundary for Oshada Fernando. Length delivery on off, Fernando gets on top of the ball and drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 11.4 : K Rabada to Fernando, Good length delivery on off, Fernando defends it off the back foot. |
| 11.5 : K Rabada to Fernando, Good length delivery outside off, Fernando looks to defend but gets beaten by the away movement on this one. |
| 11.6 : K Rabada to Fernando, FOUR! Good length delivery outside off, Fernando looks to defend but gets an outside edge. Oshada plays away from the body. It goes towards third man for a boundary. Good over for Sri Lanka. 8 runs came from it. |
| 12.1 : D Olivier to Mendis, Play and a miss! Once again a needless poke. Outside off and on a length, Mendis hangs his bat out and gets beaten. |
| 12.2 : D Olivier to Mendis, FOUR! Easy-peasy! However, he flicked that with a lot of style. Full and on the pads, Mendis with his back leg up flicks it over square leg and a boundary. |
| 12.3 : D Olivier to Mendis, Good leave! This was in the 5th stump channel. Mendis knows where his off stump is and he shoulders arms. |
| 12.4 : D Olivier to Mendis, Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment. |
| 12.5 : D Olivier to Mendis, Outside off, Mendis lets it go. |
| 12.6 : D Olivier to Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Mendis defends it off the back foot. Just 4 runs came from the over. Sri Lanka need 151 runs. |
| Wiaan Mulder is on now. |
| 13.1 : W Mulder to Fernando, On off, Fernando defends it off the back foot. |
| 13.2 : W Mulder to Fernando, On a good length on off, Oshada keeps it out. |
| 13.3 : W Mulder to Fernando, Good length delivery on middle, Oshada blocks it well. |
| 13.4 : W Mulder to Fernando, On middle, Fernando defends it off the back foot. |
| 13.5 : W Mulder to Fernando, Length delivery on middle, the batsman pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 13.6 : W Mulder to Fernando, Again on a good length on off, Fernando defends it out. Maiden over from Mulder. |
| 14.1 : D Olivier to Mendis, FOUR! Nice shot. If you bowl on pads, you will get punished. Full delivery on middle and leg, Mendis drives it through mid on for a boundary. There was good timing on this one and placement was perfect. |
| 14.2 : D Olivier to Mendis, Outside off, Mendis shoulders his arms to this one. It was close to the off stump. |
| 14.3 : D Olivier to Mendis, Same delivery, Mendis offers no shot. |
| 14.4 : D Olivier to Mendis, Length delivery on middle, Kusal nudges it towards the leg side for a run. |
| 14.5 : D Olivier to Mendis, Bowls a bouncer, Mendis does well to duck under it. |
| 14.6 : D Olivier to Mendis, Good length delivery outside off, Kusal leaves it alone. |
| Keshav Maharaj to probably bowl what will be the last over of the day. |
| 15.1 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Turn for Maharaj. Spins away from off stump, Fernando looks to defend but gets beaten on this one. |
| 15.2 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Again turn on this one. Floated on off, Fernando looks to play inside the line of the ball but misses it. |
| 15.3 : K Maharaj to Fernando, FOUR! Floated on off, Fernando guides it through point for a boundary. |
| 15.4 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Flighted delivery on off, Oshada keeps it out. |
| 15.5 : K Maharaj to Fernando, FOUR! Second boundary of the over. Floated on off, Fernando drives it through covers for a boundary. He is looking good here. |
| 15.6 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Tossed up on middle, Fernando blocks it well. THAT IS STUMPS ON DAY 2. SRI LANKA NEED 137 RUNS TO WIN. |
| What a day of Test cricket we witnessed! In the end, one can say it is the Lankans who will walk off the park as the happier of the two. Yes, they have lost two wickets but have managed to wipe out 60 runs off the target. |
| Their openers started off well but then two quick wickets put them on the back foot. However, Mendis and Fernando played their shots and are amidst a 26-run stand. They have looked positive but need to continue in the same manner. South Africa on the other hand have bowled well, Rabada and Olivier especially with their pace but the Lankans managed to play them out fairly well. Maharaj who bowled the last over got some assistance from the surface and he will surely have to play an important role |
| Earlier in the day, the Lankans were bundled out in the first session and they conceded a lead of 68. Then, their bowlers bounced back in some style. They bowled the hosts out for 128 and ensured they are chasing something below 200. They now end the day with 8 wickets in hand and needing another 137 runs. |
| Now then, 18 wickets fell today and the Test has been more or less dominated by the bowlers. Will we see the same on the third day? South Africa will surely want that. Sri Lanka on the other hand, know just one good session and the game is theirs. Pressure is on South Africa, they are 1-0 down in the series, they are slightly on the back foot here. Will they rise up to the occasion or will the Lankans make history? Join us on Saturday to find out. It could and should be the last day of this Test |
| ... Day 3, Session 1 ... |
| Hello and welcome to Day 3 and what most probably will be the final day of this engrossing and absolutely thrilling 2-match Test series. The team from the Emerald Isle is on the brink of creating history by becoming the first Asian team to win a Test series in South Africa, requiring just 137 runs to win the second Test. They have 8 wickets in hand, but need to guard against crumbling under the pressure of expectations. Sri Lanka are very close to doing something no team has done before but that |
| As for the hosts, they will desperately look for early wickets this morning under the cloudy conditions. It may just set the cat amongst the pigeons in the opposition dressing room. Steyn and Co. are definitely capable of triggering a collapse but the pressure is on the Proteas bowlers as well. To avoid losing a rare Test series at home, they will need to bowl really well. When such a situation arises, it could more often than not result in mistakes occurring. That can be ill-afforded today, the |
| We are all set for the action to begin. The players and umpires are out in the middle. Oshada Fernando and Kusal Mendis are to continue batting. Duanne Olivier will start the proceedings on Day 3. |
| 16.1 : D Olivier to Mendis, Starts with a good length delivery on middle, Mendis blocks it off his back foot. |
| 16.2 : D Olivier to Mendis, Length delivery on middle, Mendis pushes it towards square leg for a run. First run of Day 3. |
| 16.3 : D Olivier to Fernando, Short of a length delivery, Fernando pulls it through square leg for a run. |
| 16.4 : D Olivier to Mendis, That is a jaffa! It is pitched on a length on off and moves away, Mendis looks to defend but gets beaten all ends up. It was a perfect seam position from Olivier. |
| 16.5 : D Olivier to K Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Mendis looks to defend but gets an outside edge towards slip. It falls just short of the slip fielder. That could have been the first wicket for South Africa. |
| 16.6 : D Olivier to Mendis, Short delivery, Mendis looks to pull but gets it of the top of the bat. It goes over mid-wicket and falls in no man's land. The batsmen pick up a couple. 4 runs came from the over but it was a testing over from Duanne Olivier. |
| Kagiso Rabada to bowl from the other end. |
| 17.1 : K Rabada to Fernando, FOUR! Welcome, Rabada! That is a classic shot. First boundary of the day and that should really give a lot of confidence to the Lankan batsman. Not a very bad delivery, it is on a length and around off, Fernando plants his front foot forward and then drives it on the up through covers for a boundary. |
| 17.2 : K Rabada to Fernando, Now a couple! Off the back foot this time, it is pushed through point. The batsmen call for two early and complete it. |
| 17.3 : K Rabada to Fernando, 4, 2, 1 is how this over reads till now. Fernando taps it towards point and gets to the other end. |
| 17.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, A dot now as this one is bowled outside off, the batter leaves it alone. |
| Meanwhile, Lasith Embuldeniya is seen in a sling and trying to hold a bat some how. Shows us how much this means to the Lankans, this guy might just come out to bat if absolutely needed! |
| 17.5 : K Rabada to Mendis, Sliced away! Full and outside off, Mendis looks to go over covers, the face of his bat opens at the last moment. The ball goes over point, Steyn hares after it and keeps it down to two. |
| 17.6 : K Rabada to Mendis, This is bowled outside off, Mendis lets it be. A good over for Sri Lanka. They have started off on a positive note. |
| 18.1 : D Olivier to Fernando, Back of a length on off, Fernando blocks it out. |
| 18.2 : D Olivier to Fernando, Another back foot defense to a ball on middle. |
| 18.3 : D Olivier to Fernando, A confident looking drive back to the bowler this time. |
| 18.4 : D Olivier to Fernando, Whizzes past the outside edge! Fuller in length and outside off, Fernando goes at it with hard hands but gets beaten. That was not quite there for that shot. |
| 18.5 : D Olivier to Fernando, This time he offers a solid front foot defense to the ball on off. |
| 18.6 : D Olivier to Fernando, A little too straight, Fernando looks to flick but misses. It hits his pad and rolls towards square leg. The batsmen take a leg bye. |
| 19.1 : K Rabada to Fernando, BEATEN! Good ball from Rabada. Good length delivery outside off, Fernando looks to defend but gets beaten on this one. Oshada looked to play away from the body and that is why he was beaten on this one. |
| 19.2 : K Rabada to Fernando, Length delivery on middle and leg, Fernando flicks it towards square leg for a run. |
| 19.3 : K Rabada to Mendis, On off, Mendis plays it towards point for a run. |
| 19.4 : K Rabada to Fernando, Good length delivery on off, Fernando offers a nice forward defense on this one. This was bowled at 148.0 kph. |
| 19.5 : K Rabada to Fernando, On middle, Oshada defends it to mid off. |
| 19.6 : K Rabada to Fernando, Again on a good length on off, Fernando defends it off the back foot. Good testing over by Rabada. |
| 20.1 : D Olivier to Mendis, Length delivery on off, Mendis plays it towards backward point. |
| 20.2 : D Olivier to Mendis, Mendis defends this good length delivery on the back foot. |
| 20.3 : D Olivier to Mendis, Again on a good length on off, Mendis guides it through slips. It seems like an educational edge. It goes towards third man for a run. |
| 20.4 : D Olivier to O Fernando, Full on off, Fernando drives it mid off. The fielder chases it and stops it before the ropes comfortably. The batsmen get three runs. Good running between the wickets. |
| 20.5 : D Olivier to Mendis, On a good length outside off, Mendis looks to play at the ball but ends up playing inside the line and gets beaten due to the away movement on this one. |
| 20.6 : D Olivier to Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Kusal defends it off the back foot. |
| 21.1 : K Rabada to Fernando, Short and gets it to bounce at a good height. Fernando looks to pull by taking his eyes off the ball. Misses. |
| 21.2 : K Rabada to Fernando, Bowls fuller than the last ball, Fernando though is solid in defense. |
| 21.3 : K Rabada to Fernando, In the 5th stump channel, left alone. |
| 21.4 : K Rabada to Fernando, Nicely played! Well in front of square. Short, this time Fernando gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 21.5 : K Rabada to Fernando, Bowls a bouncer, Fernando does well to duck under it. |
| 21.6 : K Rabada to Fernando, Full on middle, Fernando plays it nicely to mid on. |
| 22.1 : D Olivier to Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Mendis taps it to point. |
| 22.2 : D Olivier to Mendis, On off, Mendis defends it off the front foot. |
| 22.3 : D Olivier to Mendis, FOUR! 50 partnership between Kusal Mendis and Oshada Fernando. Full on middle and leg, Mendis lofts this over mid on for a boundary. It has been a great and much-needed partnership for Sri Lanka. The two batsmen joined when they lost two wickets quickly. The visitors will hope they can continue though. |
| 22.4 : D Olivier to Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Mendis defends it off the back foot. |
| 22.5 : D Olivier to K Mendis, FOUR! Second boundary in the over. Short of a length delivery, Mendis pulls it through square leg for a boundary. Kusal Mendis is looking confident here. |
| 22.6 : D Olivier to Mendis, Bowls a bouncer, Mendis does well to duck under it. Big over for Sri Lanka. 8 runs came from it. The Sri Lankan batsmen have looked confident from the morning. |
| 23.1 : K Rabada to Fernando, Good length and outside off, Fernando is in no mood at playing that. |
| 23.2 : K Rabada to Fernando, FOUR! Runs are leaking now! Very full and on middle, Fernando strokes it with a very straight bat, through mid on and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 23.3 : K Rabada to Fernando, A single follows the boundary. Really smart batting this! A length ball pushed towards mid-wicket by Fernando as he gets to the other end. |
| 23.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, A good short ball at the frame of the batsman, Mendis manages to fend it off towards the leg side for a single. |
| 23.5 : K Rabada to Fernando, Another short of a length ball outside off, Oshada defends it towards the off side. |
| 23.6 : K Rabada to Fernando, Pushed to mid on off a length to end the over. 6 came off it, Sri Lanka doing it nicely so far! |
| Dale Steyn is into the attack. |
| 24.1 : D Steyn to Mendis, Good length delivery outside off, Mendis shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 24.2 : D Steyn to Mendis, FOUR! Nice shot. Full and outside off, Mendis drives it through covers for a boundary. This is a very positive shot from Kusal Mendis. |
| 24.3 : D Steyn to Mendis, Outside off, Kusal lets it go. |
| 24.4 : D Steyn to Mendis, FOUR! Second boundary of the over. Full on off, Mendis drives it straight past the bowler for a boundary. This is excellent batting from Mendis. |
| 24.5 : D Steyn to Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Kusal defends it off the back foot. |
| 24.6 : D Steyn to Mendis, FOUR! Third boundary of the over. Short and outside off, Mendis cuts it through point for a boundary. Big over for Sri Lanka. 12 runs came from it. Steyn's first over this morning has gone for many. |
| Keshav Maharaj is on now. |
| 25.1 : K Maharaj to O Fernando, Shortish and outside off, Fernando guides it but can't get it past the diving point fielder. OF will feel he has missed out there. It was there to be hit. |
| 25.2 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Tosses it up this time, the batter works it towards wide mid on for a run. |
| 25.3 : K Maharaj to Mendis, This is eased down to long off for an easy run. |
| 25.4 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Rush of blood there! Fernando uses his feet and looks to go downtown. He isn't to the pitch of the ball but still goes ahead with the shot. Ends up slicing it. To his luck though, it falls in no man's land in the cover region and the batsmen take two. |
| 25.5 : K Maharaj to Fernando, BEATEN! Tossed up on off, Fernando looks to defend but it turns away from the batsmen and gets beaten on this one. |
| 25.6 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Flighted delivery on off, Oshada defends it off the front foot. |
| 26.1 : D Steyn to Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Mendis guides it towards third man for a run. Kusal moves into the 40s now. |
| 26.2 : D Steyn to Fernando, Again on a good length on middle, Fernando defends it off the back foot. |
| 26.3 : D Steyn to Fernando, Full on off, Oshada drives it to mid off. |
| 26.4 : D Steyn to Fernando, Outside off, Fernando shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 26.5 : D Steyn to Fernando, Second consecutive leave from Oshada Fernando. Good length delivery outside off, Fernando lets it go. |
| 26.6 : D Steyn to Fernando, Outside off again, Fernando leaves it alone. Much better over from Steyn as he conceded too many runs in his last over. |
| 27.1 : K Maharaj to Mendis, FOUR! Cracking shot. Short and outside off, Mendis makes room and cuts it through covers for a boundary. |
| 27.2 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Tossed up on off, Mendis comes down the track and blocks it. |
| 27.3 : K Maharaj to Mendis, IN THE AIR AND SAFE! Floated outside off, Mendis comes down the track and lofts it over covers. It fell just short of the fielder. The batsmen take a run. |
| 27.4 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Flighted delivery on off, Fernando defends it off the front foot. |
| 27.5 : K Maharaj to O Fernando, Full on off, Oshada drives it towards mid off for a run. |
| 27.6 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Flighted delivery on off, Kusal plays it towards covers for a run. |
| 28.1 : D Steyn to Mendis, On the off pole, Mendis goes right back and keeps it out. |
| 28.2 : D Steyn to Mendis, FOUR! Brings up his fifty in style! His 9th in this format and the whole dressing room is up on their feet applauding the knock. He has looked as fluent as he ever has in this one and this is also his highest knock in the series and what a time to score it. This probably could be a knock which has won the series for the visitors. Also an exquisite shot to get there. Just behind a driving length, Mendis gets right behind the ball and strokes it past mid off for a boundary |
| 28.3 : D Steyn to Mendis, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 28.4 : D Steyn to Mendis, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 28.5 : D Steyn to Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Mendis defends it off the back foot. |
| 28.6 : D Steyn to Mendis, Length delivery on off, Mendis taps it towards third man for a run. |
| 29.1 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Tossed up on off, Mendis defends it out. |
| 29.2 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Flighted delivery on off, Mendis defends it off the front foot. |
| 29.3 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Floated on off, Kusal keeps it out. |
| 29.4 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Loopy delivery on middle, Kusal defends it off the back foot. |
| 29.5 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Tossed up on middle, Kusal flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 29.6 : K Maharaj to Fernando, SIX! Nice use of the feet from Oshada. Flighted delivery on middle, Fernando comes down the track and lofts this over the bowler for a maximum. The visitors need 65 runs to win the match and the series. |
| Kagiso Rabada is back. |
| 30.1 : K Rabada to Mendis, This is flicked through square leg for another run. Sri Lanka cruising along at the moment. |
| 30.2 : K Rabada to Fernando, On the off pole, it is kept out. |
| 30.3 : K Rabada to Fernando, Length delivery on middle, Fernando pushes it to short mid-wicket. It was good call from Oshada to not go for the run but Mendis wanted it. |
| 30.4 : K Rabada to Fernando, Good shape on this one. Good length delivery outside off, Fernando looks to defend but gets beaten on this one. |
| 30.5 : K Rabada to Fernando, Good length delivery on middle, Fernando defends it off the back foot. |
| 30.6 : K Rabada to Fernando, On middle, Oshada keeps it out. |
| DRINKS! It has been a good hour for Sri Lanka. They are cruising along and have rarely given an opportunity for the hosts to come back. On the other hand, the South African bowlers have looked off color. They need wickets in heaps to get back into this game. 64 more runs needed, this game could probably end in this session itself. |
| 31.1 : K Maharaj to Mendis, 100 partnership between Kusal Mendis and Oshada Fernando. Tossed up outside off, Mendis cuts it towards point for a run. It has come at the right time. |
| 31.2 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Flighted delivery on middle, Fernando blocks it off the front foot. |
| 31.3 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Full on middle and leg, Fernando drives it to mid on. |
| 31.4 : K Maharaj to O Fernando, FOUR! Oshada Fernando, take a bow, he brings up his maiden Test fifty in a pressure game and in a pressure situation. He has looked to attack right from the start and has been successful. Yes, he had has luck on his side but take nothing away from his knock. He would love to be there till the end. He too like his partner, gets there with a boundary. Maharaj tosses it up on middle, Fernando whips it through wide mid on and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 31.5 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Flatter and shorter in length, Fernando works it towards mid-wicket. |
| 31.6 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Tossed up on off, Oshada does well to block it. |
| 32.1 : K Rabada to Mendis, Bowls a bumper, Mendis does well to duck under it. |
| 32.2 : K Rabada to Mendis, Length delivery down leg, Mendis lets it go. |
| 32.3 : K Rabada to Mendis, Bowls a short ball, Mendis rises on his toes and defends it. |
| 32.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, Length delivery on middle, Mendis works it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 32.5 : K Rabada to Fernando, On a good length on off, Fernando keeps it out. |
| 32.6 : K Rabada to Fernando, FOUR! Poor delivery from Rabada. Full delivery on leg, Fernando goes across the line and flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary. Sri Lanka need just 54 runs to win the series. |
| Duanne Olivier is back on. Faf du Plessis trying everything here. |
| 33.1 : D Olivier to Mendis, Short and outside off, Mendis cuts it through point for a run. |
| 33.2 : D Olivier to Fernando, Length delivery on middle, Fernando pushes it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 33.3 : D Olivier to Mendis, Length delivery on middle, Mendis flicks it towards square leg for a run. We can see some shoulders dropping for South Africa. |
| 33.4 : D Olivier to Fernando, Again on a length on middle, Fernando flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run. Sri Lanka need just 50 runs to win this match. |
| 33.5 : D Olivier to Mendis, Length delivery on off, Mendis guides it towards third man for a run. |
| 33.6 : D Olivier to Fernando, Bowls a bouncer, Oshada ducks underneath it. The visitors need below 50 now. |
| 34.1 : K Rabada to Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Mendis defends it out. |
| 34.2 : K Rabada to K Mendis, Length delivery on off, Mendis looks to defend but gets an outside edge. It goes towards point for a single. |
| 34.3 : K Rabada to Fernando, Good length delivery on off, Oshada defends it off the back foot. |
| 34.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, FOUR! Nice shot. Short of a length delivery, Mendis pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 34.5 : K Rabada to Mendis, Again on a good length on off, Kusal blocks it off his back foot. |
| 34.6 : K Rabada to Mendis, Bowls a bouncer, Mendis does well to duck under it. |
| 35.1 : D Olivier to Fernando, FOUR! Cracking shot. Short and outside off, Mendis jumps on his toes and cuts it over point for a boundary. Sri Lanka are slowly drawing curtains to this chase. |
| 35.2 : D Olivier to Fernando, Bowls a bouncer, Oshada does well to duck under it. |
| 35.3 : D Olivier to Fernando, Length delivery on leg, Fernando nudges it towards the leg side for a run. |
| 35.4 : D Olivier to Fernando, Bowls a bumper, Fernando does well to duck under it. |
| 35.5 : D Olivier to Fernando, Short of a length delivery, Fernando pulls it to mid-wicket. |
| 35.6 : D Olivier to Fernando, Good length delivery outside off, Fernando looks to fend at it but gets beaten on this one. |
| 36.1 : K Rabada to Mendis, Back of a length on off, Mendis guides it to the man at point. |
| 36.2 : K Rabada to Mendis, On the stumps again, Mendis gets right behind the line and defends it onto the ground. |
| 36.3 : K Rabada to Mendis, On the shorter side and outside off, Mendis looks to guide it down to third man but ends up chopping it to the keeper. |
| 36.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, Short and on middle, Mendis hops and tucks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 36.5 : K Rabada to Mendis, This one is landed on a length and around off, Mendis defends it to point. |
| 36.6 : K Rabada to Mendis, A maiden! Outside off, left alone. |
| 37.1 : D Olivier to Fernando, Good length delivery on off, Fernando looks to defend while taking one hand off the handle. |
| 37.2 : D Olivier to Fernando, Again on a good length on off, Fernando defends it off the back foot. |
| 37.3 : D Olivier to Fernando, Good length delivery outside off, Fernando looks to drive away from the body but misses it. |
| 37.4 : D Olivier to Fernando, Short of a length delivery, Fernando looks to pull but gets a top edge. It goes towards fine leg where Dale Steyn dives and stops it to save runs for the team. The batsmen take a run. |
| 37.5 : D Olivier to Mendis, Good length delivery on middle, Mendis keeps it out. |
| 37.6 : D Olivier to Mendis, Length delivery on middle, Mendis flicks it towards the leg side for a run. |
| 38.1 : K Rabada to Mendis, Bowls a bouncer, Mendis easily ducks under it. |
| 38.2 : K Rabada to K Mendis, FOUR! Length delivery on off, Mendis looks to defend but gets an outside edge. He plays it with soft hands. It goes towards third man for a boundary. |
| 38.3 : K Rabada to Mendis, Outside off, Mendis shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 38.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Kusal keeps it out. |
| 38.5 : K Rabada to Mendis, Length delivery on middle and leg, Mendis nudges it towards the leg side for a run. |
| 38.6 : K Rabada to Fernando, Full on middle, Fernando drives it to mid on. |
| 39.1 : D Olivier to K Mendis, DROPPED! Brilliant effort from Hashim Amla. Short and outside off, Mendis looks to cut but gets an outside edge. It goes towards first slip where Amla jumps and tries to take with one hand but spills it. However in the end he saved a boundary. |
| 39.2 : D Olivier to Fernando, Length delivery on middle, Fernando flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 39.3 : D Olivier to K Mendis, Full on off, Mendis drives it to mid off. |
| 39.4 : D Olivier to Mendis, FOUR! Good shot. Short and outside off, Mendis makes room and guides it between the gap of gully and second slip for a boundary. |
| 39.5 : D Olivier to Mendis, Length delivery on off, Kusal plays it towards point for a run. |
| 39.6 : D Olivier to Fernando, Good length delivery on off, Oshada looks to defend but gets beaten due to the movement on this one. |
| Wiaan Mulder is on now. |
| 40.1 : W Mulder to K Mendis, Driven towards the mid off region. |
| 40.2 : W Mulder to Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Mendis taps it towards point for a run. |
| 40.3 : W Mulder to Fernando, Length delivery on off, Fernando plays it to covers. |
| 40.4 : W Mulder to Fernando, Outside off, Fernando shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 40.5 : W Mulder to Fernando, Good length delivery outside off, Fernando comes down the track and looks to drive but misses it. |
| 40.6 : W Mulder to Fernando, Full on off, Fernando defends it off the front foot. |
| 41.1 : D Olivier to Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Mendis defends it off the back foot. |
| 41.2 : D Olivier to Mendis, Again on a good length on off, Kusal defends it off the back foot. |
| 41.3 : D Olivier to Mendis, Short of a length delivery, Mendis pulls it to mid on. |
| 41.4 : D Olivier to Mendis, FOUR BYES! Short of a length delivery down leg, Mendis lets it go. It goes towards de Kock who dives to collect it but it goes wide of him. It goes towards fine leg for a boundary. |
| 41.5 : D Olivier to Mendis, Length delivery on off, Mendis guides it towards third man for a run. Sri Lanka need below 20 now to win the series. |
| 41.6 : D Olivier to O Fernando, Full on off, Fernando drives it to mid off. |
| 42.1 : W Mulder to Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Mendis defends it off the back foot. |
| 42.2 : W Mulder to Mendis, On off, Mendis defends it out. |
| 42.3 : Mulder to Mendis, Outside off, Mendis lets it go. |
| 42.4 : W Mulder to Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Kusal defends it off the front foot. |
| 42.5 : W Mulder to Mendis, Full on off, Mendis drives it to covers. |
| 42.6 : W Mulder to Mendis, FOUR! Classic straight drive from Kusal Mendis. Full on middle, Mendis drives it straight past the bowler through mid on for a boundary. Sri Lanka need just 15 runs to win the series. |
| Keshav Maharaj is back into the attack. |
| 43.1 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Tosses it up on off, blocked. |
| 43.2 : K Maharaj to Fernando, FOUR! No one in the deep and a boundary. Brings the sweep out, the ball takes the top edge though. It goes over the square leg region and into the fence. Also, the 150-run stand is up, the two would love to be there till the end. 11 more needed. |
| 43.3 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Gives it nice amount of flight and lands it on off, Fernando blocks it out. |
| 43.4 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Flatter and shorter outside off, Fernando waits for it and then looks to guide it to third man but misses. |
| 43.5 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Tosses it up on middle, OF strokes it to mid on. |
| 43.6 : K Maharaj to Fernando, Runs needed now below 10! This is floated around off, Fernando makes room and strokes it through covers and takes two. |
| 44.1 : W Mulder to Mendis, Good length delivery on off, Mendis defends it off the back foot. |
| 44.2 : W Mulder to Mendis, On off, Mendis offers a forward defense on this one. |
| 44.3 : W Mulder to Mendis, On a good length on off, Kusal defends it off the back foot. |
| 44.4 : W Mulder to Mendis, Length delivery on off, Mendis taps it towards point for a run. |
| 44.5 : W Mulder to Fernando, Good length delivery on middle, Fernando keeps it out. |
| 44.6 : W Mulder to Fernando, Good length delivery outside off, Fernando looks to drive but misses it. |
| Lunch has been extended by 15 minutes extra as the runs needed are in single digits. |
| 45.1 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Short and outside off, Mendis makes room and cuts it towards point for a single. |
| 45.2 : K Maharaj to Fernando, SIX! SCORES LEVEL! And what a shot to do so! Steps down the track, gets to the pitch and lofts it over the long on fence. Will he go for another to finish it off in style. |
| 45.3 : K Maharaj to Fernando, No! He happily defends this ball. |
| 45.4 : K Maharaj to Fernando, He ends it now though and with a single as he flicks it through mid-wicket. All smiles in the Lankan camp, smiles on the face of the Lankan batsmen. Customary handshakes now going on as SRI LANKA HAVE WON THIS GAME BY 8 WICKETS! THEY HAVE ALSO WON THE SERIES 2-0! |
| Monumental! Epic! Unimaginable! Use whichever adjective you want, but trust me it will still fall short of describing what we have just witnessed. Sri Lanka have just become the first Asian team to win a series in South Africa. And what is more surprising is the ease in which they have made history today. The overnight pair of Kusal Mendis and Oshada Fernando have not even given a glimmer of hope as they stitched an unbeaten 163-run stand to win this game. When we began this morning, there was a |
| The part where the match was won would definitely have to be the bowling performance in the second innings of the hosts. After conceding a lead of 68 runs in the first innings, Sri Lanka were staring down the barrel but Lakmal and co. came roaring back! They managed to bundle out the Proteas for a paltry 128 and ensured the target was below 200. From there on, the visitors were always favourites. There was a slight worry when two quick wickets fell on Day 2 evening but Mendis and Fernando batted |
| Who was the hero of the match? There was not one single one to point out to but a few. Vishwa Fernando in the first innings along with Kasun Rajitha while bowling. In the second innings, Suranga Lakmal and Dhananjaya de Silva. And finally, Oshada and Kusal Mendis not to be forgotten. A complete team performance. But what we must not forget is that as much as it was a good show from the Lankans, it was a poor, poor batting performance from South Africa. The way they have gone down in the two Test |
| Thus, the new captain in the form of Dimuth Karunaratne has worked wonders. Whether he has special captaincy skills still remains to be seen but surely he has got some good luck with him, picking his team out of the doldrums they were in. If the first Test win was on the back of a super-heroic performance of Kusal Perera, the second one was a better more rounded show. What makes the series win more special is the fact that it has been achieved without some familiar faces and seniors. The youngst |
| South African skipper, Faf du Plessis, says he is very disappointed with their performance in this series. Credits Sri Lanka for beating them in home conditions. Reckons they were poor with the bat throughout the series. Further adds the pitches were fine but both the teams failed to deliver with the bat. Feels a lot more should have been scored on this wicket. Admits the amount of wickets falling on the first two days was a shock as it was a nice batting surface. States they were looking good a |
| Kusal Mendis who is the Man of the Match says that he is very happy with how he has done in this game and about continuing with his good form of 2018. He thanks his teammates and all the support staff especially his physio for helping him with his ankle. Signs off by saying he is really elated at this moment and looks forward to the coming games. |
| Kusal Perera is named the Man of the Series. He says that the first game's performance has helped him a lot and given the team confidence as well. Credits Vishwa Fernando for his performance with the ball and also mentions that every player is important to the team. Reckons that what he does to keep going is to back his strengths and listen to the minor changes that the coaches suggest him to make. Ends by saying that they are obviously very happy to have won in this part of the world and that t |
| Sri Lankan captain, Dimuth Karunaratne, says it is a big moment for him and his team. Further adds winning a series in South Africa is not easy and winning it 2-0 is a big thing. Mentions they learned a lot in the Australian and the New Zealand series and have done well here by sticking to the basics. Credits the youngsters for stepping up. States the first innings batting is a concern and they would want to improve on that. Ends by saying he dedicates this victory to the Lankan fans. |
| We end with beautiful scenes of the whole team coming up and joining Dimuth Karunaratne as he collects the trophy for winning the series. They pose for the shutterbugs. An incredible series win! |
| Tests 2-0! Sri Lanka win. Surely a brilliant performance. But that is not it from the tour, with the white ball leg yet to be played. 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is to be played in that. Can Sri Lanka continue their fairy tale? South Africa, on the other hand will be itching for redemption after being hurt badly here. That though will have to wait for a few days! Johannesburg is where we will see you next. The first ODI will begin 1000 local (0800 GMT) from the Wanderers Stadium on March 3rd, Sunday. We wil |
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