| 1.4 : 1.4: V Fernando to Elgar, OUT! This time he is a gonner! There is an edge and Aleem Dar's finger goes up immediately. Vishwa Fernando strikes. A length ball outside off and in the corridor of uncertainty, Dean Elgar looks to feel for the ball and defend it but the ball holds its line and he is playing down the wrong line. It takes the faintest of outside edges and carries to Dickwella who makes no mistake behind the stumps. A 4-ball duck for Elgar, and just the start Sri Lanka would have wanted |
| 6.1 : 6.1: S Lakmal to Amla, OUT! Big wicket for Sri Lanka. Lakmal gets his first wicket. Good length delivery on off, Amla looks to leave but plays it at the last moment. The ball goes from the under bat of the willow and it goes towards Kusal Mendis who takes a brilliant catch. Soft signal was not out. It is referred upstairs. They are checking whether the ball hit the ground. The replays show that he had taken it inches from the ground and the ball did not bounce. The third umpire gives it as out |
| 7.3 : 7.3: V Fernando to Markram, FOUR! On a good length outside off, punched off the back foot for a boundary to deep cover-point. |
| 7.4 : 7.4: V Fernando to Markram, OUT! Cleaned up!!! Markram has to go. What a beauty from Fernando after being hit for a boundary. Till now, Vishwa was taking most of the balls away. This one is on a good length and coming in to the right-hander. Markram is on the front foot and looks to drive the ball away to the on side. It shapes just enough to take the inside edge and disturb his stumps. Aiden is gone after looking decent so far. Sri Lanka will be really happy with the way things have gone so far |
| 9.5 : 9.5: V Fernando to du Plessis, EDGE AND FOUR! Good length delivery on off, du Plessis looks to defend but gets an outside edge. It goes between second and third slip for a boundary. |
| 14.2 : 14.2: K Rajitha to Bavuma, FOUR! On the pad, Bavuma flicks it through square leg and gets a boundary. Third boundary of the match. |
| 14.4 : 14.4: K Rajitha to T Bavuma, FOUR! Second of the over. It was on off, Bavuma looks to defend but the ball comes off the bat's outside edge and runs down through the legs of third slip . |
| 15.4: V Fernando to Bavuma, FOUR! A little width on offer and Bavuma cashes on it. Short and wide outside off, Bavuma goes back and guides it through backward point. Boundary. Runs starting to come now for the hosts. |
| 16.4: K Rajitha to Plessis, FOUR! 50 comes up for South Africa! The ball was on good length and going outside leg, Faf flicks it through square leg and gets a boundary. |
| 18.6 : 18.6: K Rajitha to T Bavuma, FOUR! A well-controlled pull shot! Short and down the leg side, Bavuma just helps it on its way to the fine leg fence. Good end to the over for South Africa. |
| 20.2 : 20.2: K Rajitha to Plessis, FOUR! Classic Faf! It was on off, he drives it past cover. The fielder chases it but the ball still makes it to the ropes. |
| 20.6 : 20.6: K Rajitha to du Plessis, FOUR! Around off, Faf looks to drive but the away movement of the ball takes an outside edge and runs down to backward point. A boundary results. |
| 22.4 : 22.4: K Rajitha to Bavuma, FOUR! Short and on the body, Bavuma connects his hook and manages to clear the fence. A one bounce off the ropes. |
| 22.5 : 22.5: K Rajitha to Bavuma, FOUR! Consecutive ones for Bavuma. Fullish on off, Temba drives it through covers and bags himself a one more. |
| 23.4 : 23.4: L Embuldeniya to Plessis, FOUR! Up and over! Gets to the pitch this time and with a straight bat, lofts it over the bowler's head for a boundary. |
| 24.2 : 24.2: Rajitha to Plessis, OUT! There is a spike on Ultra Edge and the on-field call has to be overturned. Now we know why Sri Lanka were so sure, excellent review by them and they have got the South African skipper. Also a timely one as this partnership was starting to look dangerous. It has been cut short in a soft manner though. A delivery down the leg side, Faf looks to flick, there is a noise as the ball passes the bat. The keeper takes and he starts celebrating, so does the bowler. Faf du P |
| 24.3 : 24.3: K Rajitha to de Kock, FOUR! Good start after Lunch. Good length delivery outside off, de Kock looks to defend but gets an outside edge. It goes past the diving fourth slip fielder for a boundary. |
| 28.4 : 28.4: S Lakmal to Bavuma, FOUR! Length delivery on off, Bavuma looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes between third and fourth slip towards third man for a boundary. |
| 29.2 : 29.2: Fernando to Bavuma, OUT! Bavuma is short by just! End of his innings in a very unfortunate manner. He walks back dejected, three short of a half ton. A full delivery by Vishwa Fernando on middle, de Kock creams it back towards the bowler who was trying to move his feet out of the way. However while his left foot came down, it hits the ball and ends up deflecting it on the stumps at the non-striker's end. The Lankans are already celebrating and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays show it |
| 34.3 : 34.3: L Embuldeniya to Kock, FOUR! Good shot. Flighted delivery on off, de Kock plays a reverse sweep towards third man for a boundary. |
| 37.4 : 37.4: Rajitha to Philander, OUT! In the air... taken! Too quick that one for Philander! Kasun gets his second and Philander's resistance comes to an end. It is on the shorter side and around off, Philander goes back and tries to pull. The ball though skids through and hits the splice of Philander's bat even before he could complete the shot. It balloons towards the bowler who accepts a dolly. The umpires want to check for the front foot and it is just about fine. |
| 38.2 : 38.2: L Embuldeniya to Maharaj, FOUR! Too short and outside off, Maharaj makes room and cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 40.2: L Embuldeniya to Maharaj, FOUR! Cracking shot. Short and outside off, Maharaj cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 41.1 : 41.1: K Rajitha to Kock, FOUR! Stand and deliver! Slightly fuller and coming in with the angle. De Kock stands tall and just smashes it past mid on. It races away to the fence. |
| 44.2 : 44.2: O Fernando to Kock, FOUR! Good shot. Short outside off, de Kock slaps it through covers for a boundary. |
| 44.5 : 44.5: O Fernando to Maharaj, FOUR! Amazing shot. Flighted delivery on middle, Maharaj lofts this over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 45.2 : 45.2: V Fernando to Maharaj, FOUR! Short and on leg, Maharaj hooks it uppishly to square leg and gets himself a boundary. |
| 45.6 : 45.6: Fernando to K Maharaj, OUT! A huge spike on Ultra Edge and Keshav Maharaj is given his marching orders. Also, a review goes down the drain. That review was more in hope I feel as this partnership was going great guns. However, a superb nut to end a very handy innings by Maharaj. Fernando lands it on a length around off, the ball pitches and straightens. Not a lot Maharaj could have done there. He lunges and looks to block but due to the away movement, the ball takes the outside edge and g |
| 49.6: V Fernando to Rabada, OUT! Straight down square leg's throat! A soft dismissal really. Fourth wicket for Fernando, his career-best bowling figures. A low full toss around leg, Rabada leans across to flick but fails to keep it down. It flies in the air and falls straight down Embuldeniya's throat. Kagiso cannot believe his luck. |
| 50.3 : 50.3: S Lakmal to Steyn, FOUR! Smashing shot! Lakmal serves it on a length again, it's just outside off, Dale Steyn uses his reach and hammers it down the ground through mid off. |
| 51.4 : 51.4: V Fernando to Steyn, FOUR! Bang! A low full toss outside off, Steyn, with all his weight on the back leg, attacks it with all his power and bludgeons it down through mid off for a boundary. |
| 53.1 : 53.1: V Fernando to de Kock, FOUR! Quinton will go after the bowlers now. Receives a short ball around middle and leg, he gets inside the line and pulls it fine down the leg side for a boundary. |
| 54.2 : 54.2: L Embuldeniya to Kock, FOUR! Well played! Flighted again, full and around off, de Kock brings out the reverse sweep and nails it wide of first slip for a boundary. Well executed. |
| 56.4 : 56.4: Embuldeniya to D Steyn, OUT! Timber! Embuldeniya lets out a nicely tossed up delivery, landing full on middle and going straight on. Steyn is on the front foot but plays down the wrong line. It beats the inside edge and cannons onto the stumps. The vital 33-run partnership is broken. Maiden Test scalp for Lasith and he is all smile. |
| 58.1 : 58.1: L Embuldeniya to Kock, FOUR! Shot! De Kock fetches a full ball from outside leg and reverse sweeps it firmly through covers for a cracking boundary. |
| 59.1: K Rajitha to Kock, FOUR! Here is the boundary de Kock is looking for! Short in length angling into the batsman, de Kock heaves it over backward square leg and finds the fence in spite of two fielders in the deep on the leg side. Lovely placement. The fine leg fielder was quite late in picking that up. |
| 59.3 : 59.3: K Rajitha to Kock, SIX! He has nailed this! That dropped catch is hurting Sri Lanka. South Africa are marching towards 250. A slower one by Rajitha, on a length and angling in, de Kock picks it early and dispatches it over wide long on for a maximum. |
| 59.4 : 59.4: K Rajitha to Kock, OUT! De Kock holes out! Rajitha gets his revenge. Delivers another short ball around off, Quinton takes on the challenge to pull it but gets a top edge. Vishwa Fernando comes in from fine leg, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes the skier safely. Third wicket for Kasun and South Africa are bundled out for 235! |
| 1.2 : 1.2: V Philander to Karunaratne, FOUR! Nicely played! Philander is on the shorter side with his length, it's wide outside off, Karunaratne rocks back and smashes it through cover-point to get off the mark. |
| 2.3 : 2.3: D Steyn to D Karunaratne, FOUR! SHOT! Lovely control. Overpitched it in search of swing. It comes back into Karunaratne who stands tall and just punches it through mid on for a boundary. |
| 6.4 : 6.4: D Steyn to L Thirimanne, OUT! Poor, very poor from Thirimanne. Steyn angles across a back of a length delivery outside off, at 136 kph, Lahiru flirts with it away from his body, footwork nowhere near to the pitch of the ball and he gets a faint outside edge behind. De Kock makes no mistake and Thirimanne falls for a 15-ball duck. Could have easily left it. Now go back and cool your heels in the dressing room. Very disappointing shot selection from an experienced batsman. |
| 13.1 : 13.1: Maharaj to Fernando, FOUR! What a shot first up! Tossed up ball on middle, Fernando steps out and lofts this nonchalantly over the bowler's head for a boundary. |
| 14.6 : 14.6: D Elgar to Karunaratne, FOUR! Full toss on the body, Karunaratne walks out and lofts this over mid-wicket for an easy boundary. |
| 15.4 : 15.4: K Maharaj to Fernando, EDGY FOUR! Loopy and full on middle, Oshada runs down the track for a big heave across the line but it stays low to catch the inside edge as it speeds away to the fine leg fence. |
| 18.2 : 18.2: D Steyn to Fernando, OUT! Steyn appeals and immediately the finger goes up. That's plumb as far as umpire Aleem Dar is concerned. Two for Dale now. He spears in a fuller length ball on middle and leg, angling down, Fernando tries flicking but misses. He is hit on the pads and the finger is up quickly. Dale Steyn is pumped up. The debutant consults his skipper a bit and then walks back. Believe me, that was worth reviewing as it seems to be going down leg. Early breakthrough for the Proteas |
| 19.6 : 19.6: V Philander to Karunaratne, OUT! Philander gets his man this time. It's clipping leg and the umpire's call stays. A fuller length ball around leg, Dimuth leans across to flick it on the leg side but misses. He is thudded on the pads, once again the bowler runs in appeal and then turns to see that the umpire has lifted his finger. The Sri Lankan skipper opts to review it after consulting his partner but this time the technology is with South Africa. It has marginally pitched on the leg stum |
| 20.6: D Steyn to Mendis, FOUR! Well played! Steyn keeps it nice and full, in the line of the stumps, Mendis thumps his straight drive and beats mid on to the fence. Lovely way to open his account. |
| 23.5 : 23.5: V Philander to Perera, FOUR! That's a Twenty20 shot! Philander pitches it up and outside off, plenty of room there, Perera just reaches out for it and lifts it over extra cover for a boundary. |
| 23.6 : 23.6: V Philander to Perera, FOUR! Better than the last one. More in control. Philander continues to offer width outside off, Perera packs a punch and rifles it down through mid off for a powerful boundary. |
| 24.1 : 24.1: D Steyn to Mendis, FOUR! Three in three for Sri Lanka. The Lankan batsmen have decided to follow the aerial route. A length ball outside off, Mendis leans forward and lofts it over mid off. The fielder gives the chase but the ball wins the race. |
| 24.5 : 24.5: D Steyn to K Mendis, EDGY FOUR! Flashes and flashes hard. Any width on offer outside off and they are going after it. It's short and wide outside off, Mendis throws his bat at it and it flies wide of the slip cordon for a boundary. |
| 25.4 : 25.4: V Philander to K Mendis, OUT! Edged and gone! Fine diving catch by Faf du Plessis, his 50th in Tests. Philander has his second wicket. He repeats the last delivery but this time from the middle stump line. It nips away after pitching on a shortish length. Mendis is squared up in his back foot defense and it takes the outside edge before flying behind. It's dying in front of du Plessis at second slip but he goes down immediately to grab it inches above the surface. Big blow to Sri Lanka as |
| 26.1 : 26.1: K Rabada to Perera, FOUR! Aerial but in the gap! Perera will play his shots no matter what! A pitched up delivery outside off, Kusal plays a big booming drive through covers for a boundary. |
| 27.5 : 27.5: V Philander to Dickwella, FOUR! Edgy way to get off the mark. An inswinger on this occasion, landing on a length around middle, Dickwella tries to defend from the back foot but it takes the inside edge and runs fine down the leg side for a boundary. |
| 29.2 : 29.2: D Olivier to Dickwella, OUT! And Duanne Olivier takes just two balls to strike. He dishes out his favourite shorter delivery around middle and leg at 141 kph, Dickwella initially shapes up for the pull shot and tries to help it on the leg side. But it takes the splice of his bat before ballooning in the air towards third man. Dale Steyn runs across to his left in the deep and takes the simplest of catches. Yet another blow to the Sri Lankans. |
| 30.3 : 30.3: K Rabada to Perera, SIX! Up and over Keshav Maharaj. Perera won't die wondering. He fetches a length ball from outside off and swings it powerfully over square leg. There is a fielder in the deep who jumps but it sails over his head. That was bowled at 144 kph. Fighting fire with fire. |
| 32.3: K Rabada to Silva, SIX! That has gone all the way. Sometimes the excessive pace works against you. Rabada bangs in a short ball on middle at 142 kph, Dhananjaya takes on the challenge to pull it and flies off the top edge. Clears fine leg with ease. |
| 33.3: D Olivier to Perera, FOUR! Easy pickings! Olivier is on the shorter side again but the line is wide outside off, Perera jumps on his back foot and slams it over point for a boundary. |
| 35.6 : 35.6: D Olivier to de Silva, FOUR! Easy-peasy! Short delivery sliding down the leg side at 143 kph, de Silva turns inside the crease and plays the pull shot. Fails to middle it but whatever connection he has made, it has taken the ball to the fine leg fence. |
| 36.4 : 36.4: K Rabada to Silva, FOUR! Streaky. A good length ball on off, straightening off the seam, Dhananjaya tries defending from the crease but it takes the outside edge and speeds down to third man for a boundary. |
| 36.5 : 36.5: K Rabada to Silva, FOUR! Runs are coming thick and fast now. This partnership is worth 39. Dhananjaya fetches a short ball from outside off and pulls it with authority to the deep mid-wicket fence. |
| 38.5: K Rabada to Silva, OUT! A wicket on the stroke of Lunch. That is not great cricket. Very poor from Dhananjaya de Silva. The trap was set and he just walks into it. The fine leg fielder was brought squarer and he should have known that. Rabada releases a short ball on middle, at 146 kph, Dhananjaya takes on the challenge to pull it but the ball takes the top edge and flies in the air at deep backward square leg. Olivier moves across to his left, keeps his eyes glued to the ball and grabs it |
| 38.6 : 38.6: K Rabada to Perera, FOUR! What a start. Perara is on it straight up. First ball after Lunch, Rabada bowls it full outside off. Kusal drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 40.1 : 40.1: D Steyn to Lakmal, OUT! Steyn removes Lakmal in no time. Delivers a length ball on off at 142 kph, Suranga probably tries to flick it on the leg side but fails to close the face of his bat in time. It pops out off the leading edge and Markram takes a simple catch at short cover. Kusal Perera running out of partners. Sri Lanka's deficit is 93! |
| 42.2 : 42.2: D Steyn to Perera, FOUR! Hammered. Back of a length delivery on middle and off, Kusal pulls it and pulls it hard over backward square leg for a boundary. Justifies his decision to not take a single. |
| 42.6 : 42.6: D Steyn to Perera, FOUR! What a way to bring up his fourth Test fifty. Length delivery on middle, Kusal rocks onto his back foot and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. He's Sri Lanka's last hope and is trying out to eat as many runs as possible from the deficit. |
| 44.3 : 44.3: D Steyn to Perera, OUT! Going aerial has not worked for Kusal Perera. Full length delivery outside off, Kusal does not want to give the strike to Embuldeniya. So he takes the aerial route and looks to loft it over covers. The substitute fielder, Zubayr Hamza there in the deep moves across to his left and takes a very simple catch. Faf du Plesis ploy of pushing the fielders behind has worked here. |
| 45.6 : 45.6: Olivier to L Embuldeniya, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Duanne is turning out to be a one-length bowler. Embuldeniya throws his bat it and edges it over the slip cordon for a boundary. Deficit is 74! |
| 50.2 : 50.2: D Steyn to Embuldeniya, FOUR! This is a great shot from Embuldeniya. Length delivery outside off, Lasith cuts it through point and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 50.3 : 50.3: D Steyn to L Embuldeniya, FOUR! Edged but they will take it. Good length delivery outside off, Embuldeniya looks to push it but gets an outside edge and the ball races away through the vacant gully region for a boundary. This is frustrating for South Africa. |
| 55.3: K Rabada to Rajitha, OUT! Run out! Great reflexes shown by Aiden Markram at short leg. This surely is against the run of play for the Saffas. They were frustrated to the core by the 9th wicket partnership and have finally managed to break it. A length ball is angled into the batsman, Rajitha flicks it in front of short leg and steps out of his crease in the process. Markram collects the ball quickly, is alert to the situation and scores a direct hit at the striker's end to find Kasun short |
| 57.5 : 57.5: K Rabada to Embuldeniya, FOUR! Gets one wide and puts it away. Outside off, Embuldeniya swings and carves it through backward point for a boundary. |
| 59.2 : 59.2: K Rabada to Embuldeniya, OUT! A very resilient fight from the debutant comes to an end. Fuller in length from Rabada, Embuldeniya looks to go aerial over the cover region but gets no timing on it. Dale Steyn at covers, moves to his right and takes the catch with his fingers pointing skywards. The young man can go back with his head held high. Also, it's mixed emotions for Dale Steyn, he took the catch of a wicket which would have given him his fifer instead. Sri Lanka bowled out for 191. |
| 2.3 : 2.3: S Lakmal to Markram, FOUR! This is a brilliant shot! Lakmal bowls it on a length around off, angling into the batsman, Markram offers a straight bat to it and caresses it down the ground for a boundary. The lead crosses 50. |
| 5.4 : 5.4: V Fernando to D Elgar, FOUR! Unlucky for the bowler. Good length delivery on off, the ball moves away just a bit after pitching. Elgar looks to defend it but because of the moment it finds the outside edge and flies away wide of the second slip fielder for a boundary. |
| 7.1 : 7.1: K Rajitha to Markram, FOUR! Welcome to the crease Rajitha. Good length delivery outside off, Markram cuts it through point. He times it to perfection and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 9.3 : 9.3: K Rajitha to Markram, FOUR! Pure class. Full on off, Markram drives it straight from the middle of the bat. Rajitha gets his hand to it but the ball is timed so well that the fielder chasing it has no chance of stopping that. |
| 9.6 : 9.6: K Rajitha to A Markram, OUT! Aiden Markram falls! First wicket for the visitors. Rajitha pulls his length back on this occasion and bowls it on the off stump. The ball swings away after pitching. Markram looks to punch it through covers but he ends up edging it to the fielder at second slip. Kusal Mendis there takes a very good catch at a comfortable height. Rajitha is rewarded for his good spell of bowling. |
| 10.3 : 10.3: S Lakmal to D Elgar, FOUR! Not the most convincing boundary. Full and once again a hint of away swing for Lakmal. Elgar looks to defend it with soft hands but gets an outside edge. The ball goes away through gully for a boundary. |
| 13.5 : 13.5: K Rajitha to Elgar, FOUR! Short, wide and punished. Back of a length delivery outside off, Elgar's eyes lit up looking at that and he wonderfully cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 17.1 : 17.1: V Fernando to Amla, FOUR! Back of a length ball around off, Amla gets on his toes and just punches it off his back foot. The ball goes through cover-point. The fielder in the deep dives but cannot stop it from crossing the fence. |
| 17.2 : 17.2: V Fernando to H Amla, FOUR! Even better! Outside off, all Amla had to do was get it past gully and the pace would do the rest. He pierces the gap past gully and gets a boundary. |
| 19.1 : 19.1: V Fernando to Amla, OUT! Soft dismissal. Previously, he got the ball past gully many times. He tries that again but finds the man stationed for that shot. Length ball outside off, Amla stands tall and tries to cut it past the gully region. Cannot keep the ball down, perhaps Fernando got some extra bounce to this. Thirimanne there takes the catch and Amla has to walk back. His poor form in Durban and in Test cricket off late continues. |
| 19.5 : 19.5: V Fernando to Elgar, FOUR! More like a defensive shot but it travels to the fence. Overpitched on middle and leg, Elgar on-drives it through mid on and gets himself another boundary. |
| 22.2 : 22.2: L Embuldeniya to Bavuma, OUT! Nothing, three reds and he is plumb! Straighter one on middle. Bavuma gets low to sweep but misses it completely. He gets hit on his pads and the players put in an appeal. The umpire raises his finger and Sri Lanka are up in celebration. Bavuma consults his partner and takes it up. Replays show us there was no glove and the ball would have gone to hit the stumps. Was unfortunate to get out in the first innings, but he has himself to blame here. South Africa le |
| 23.6 : 23.6: V Fernando to D Elgar, DROPPED! FOUR! Straight to Mendis at first slip but it goes through him. What a chance! That would have been three quick wickets for the tourists. Length ball on off, Elgar gets an outside edge and it goes through Mendis at slip. He fails to get his hand together in time and the ball rolls to the third man fence. This was one of the simpler ones for Kusal. |
| 25.5 : 25.5: V Fernando to du Plessis, FOUR! Short and punished. Full outside off, the ball keeps a bit low and du Plessis cuts it through backward point for a boundary. |
| 26.5: L Embuldeniya to Plessis, FOUR! Fraction shot on off, Faf punches this through covers and the ball races away to the boundary. Commanding shot. |
| 28.6 : 28.6: Embuldeniya to Elgar, OUT! Embuldeniya strikes after drinks. Flighted delivery on middle and off, Elgar comes down the track and drives it straight. He hits it uppishly and Lasith Embuldeniya shows good reflexes and takes a good catch on his left. Elgar was looking good out in the middle but has to walk back. |
| 30.6: L Embuldeniya to Plessis, FOUR! Tossed up delivery on off, du Plessis uses his feet brilliantly. He comes down the track and lofts it over mid off for a boundary. |
| 34.5 : 34.5: L Embuldeniya to Plessis, FOUR! Short and wide by Embuldeniya, du Plessis cuts it beautifully wide of the point fielder for a boundary. |
| 36.6 : 36.6: L Embuldeniya to Kock, FOUR! Tossed up delivery outside off, de Kock brilliantly drives it through covers and the ball races away to the fence. Stumps on Day 2. South Africa lead by 170 runs. |
| 38.3 : 38.3: V Fernando to de Kock, Edged and four! Again wide outside off and this time, de Kock leans into the drive. The ball catches the edge and goes to the right of gully. No third man means a boundary results. |
| 40.4 : 40.4: V Fernando to de Kock, FOUR! Amazing shot! Some width outside off on a length and Quinton de Kock just leans into the drive and times it superbly away wide of deep cover for a boundary. |
| 40.5 : 40.5: V Fernando to Kock, FOUR! Two in two! This is even better. A fuller length ball on middle and de Kock just pushes it casually back past mid on and all the way to the rope. |
| 42.6 : 42.6: de Silva to de Kock, FOUR! This one goes through! A short ball outside off, cut away by de Kock wide of point. The fielder dives but cannot stop the ball. It goes to the rope. This also brings up the 50-run stand between these two. |
| 43.1 : 43.1: S Lakmal to Plessis, FOUR! First runs off Lakmal this morning! A fuller one outside off, beautifully driven through cover for a boundary by Faf. The first time Suranga has bowled a half-volley this morning and he has gotten punished. |
| 43.3 : 43.3: S Lakmal to Plessis, FOUR! This is a good ball but such is the class of Faf du Plessis. The Proteas skipper just pushes this wide of mid off and the ball is so well-timed that the fielder has no chance. |
| 46.1 : 46.1: K Rajitha to Plessis, FOUR! Easy for du Plessis. Rajitha bowls it full and straight around leg, Faf just flicks it away through the vacant fine leg region for a boundary. Poor start by Kasun. |
| 48.2 : 48.2: K Rajitha to Kock, FOUR! Lovely shot. Full and straight on off, de Kock just gets on his front foot and drives it with ease straight through mid off. Lasith Embuldeniya gives it a chase but the ball wins the race and goes to the fence. |
| 52.6 : 52.6: L Embuldeniya to Kock, OUT! Yes it is a wasted review. It looked plumb and it is plumb. Off spinner pitching outside off on the rough. It keeps low after pitching. De Kock looks to flick it to the on side but gets beaten and hit on the pads. The debutant is up in celebration and the umpire also raises his finger. De Kock goes for the referral and the Hawk Eye shows all red as it was going to crash into the middle pole. South Africa lose their review and the partnership of 96 is broken. P. |
| 59.1 : 59.1: V Fernando to Plessis, FOUR! Jammed away! A really full and wide ball outside off from Fernando to start the over. Du Plessis does really well to reach that ball and smash it away through backward point for a boundary. |
| 59.2 : 59.2: V Fernando to Plessis, FOUR! That's two on the trot! A length ball outside off and the cover drive follows. This time the deep cover fielder is beaten to the right. |
| 60.6 : 60.6: L Embuldeniya to du Plessis, FOUR! Shot! What a way to end the over. Short of a length outside off, cut away beautifully in the gap by du Plessis. Doing it all too easily here. |
| 61.4 : 61.4: V Fernando to V Philander, FOUR! Edged and goes through the gap between slip and gully. A cutter outside off, no pace on that one but the ball goes off the outside edge of Philander as he looked to defend. It runs away to the third man boundary. |
| 66.3 : 66.3: L Embuldeniya to Plessis, FOUR! Short and punished by du Plessis. Shorter in length outside off, Faf gets onto his back foot and punches it through covers for a boundary. |
| 72.4 : 72.4: L Embuldeniya to Philander, OUT! Embuldeniya has his fourth! The stumps have been disturbed as this one has kept really low. A flatter ball on middle, Vernon goes on his back foot to play this one but the ball keeps really low and goes through. Disturbs the middle stump. The good stand of 60 has been broken finally. The lead is 295 and Philander departs after doing what was expected from him. |
| 75.6 : 75.6: V Fernando to Plessis, OUT! A brainfade moment! Fernando has got a wicket after bowling on a good consistent line continuously. A length ball from around the wicket and coming into du Plessis, Faf looks to leave the ball but it comes and raps him in front of the stumps. It was not even high and hence would have gone on to hit the middle or leg stump most probably. The umpire's finger goes up in an instant and the South African skipper misses out on a well-deserved hundred! An important wic |
| 76.4 : 76.4: L Embuldeniya to Rabada, OUT! Embuldeniya gets his fifth wicket. Tossed up delivery on middle and leg, Rabada looks to defend it off his front foot but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball lobs up near short leg, Niroshan calls for it and takes an easy catch. Lasith Embuldeniya gets a 5-wicket haul in his debut match. Take a bow, young man |
| 77.2 : 77.2: Fernando to K Maharaj, OUT! Cleaned up! A length ball from around the wicket, landing outside off and coming in. Maharaj goes for the expansive drive and misses the line of the ball completely. It goes onto hit the top of middle stump. Nine down now the hosts! And the last 4 wickets for just 5 runs. The lead is 300 now and Sri Lanka will look to remove the last man without much more being added. |
| 79.1 : 79.1: Fernando to D Steyn, OUT! It absolutely does not matter! The leg stump goes for a toss! A fuller length ball on middle and leg, Steyn goes across and looks to flick but misses the ball. The leg stump is disturbed and SOUTH AFRICA are all out for 259. SRI LANKA WILL NEED 304 to win. |
| 1.3 : 1.3: V Philander to Thirimanne, FOUR! Edgy but they will take it. Length delivery outside off, the ball goes away with the angle. Thirimanne looks to drive it through covers but gets an outside edge. The ball flies through the vacant gully region for a boundary. |
| 4.6 : 4.6: D Steyn to Karunaratne, FOUR! Full and straight on middle and off, Dimuth hits it straight through mid off for a boundary. |
| 6.2 : 6.2: D Steyn to L Thirimanne, FOUR! That is a wonderful shot.Back of a length delivery on off, Thirimanne rocks onto his back foot and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 9.6 : 9.6: K Rabada to L Thirimanne, FOUR! Through the gap between second and third slip! How fortunate was that? Dishes out the full delivery, wanting the batsman to drive. Thirimanne goes for it but gets an outside edge. It flies between du Plessis and Elgar, both do not go for it and it races to the fence. |
| 14.5 : 14.5: V Philander to Karunaratne, FOUR! Top shot! There was a short mid-wicket and a mid on in place but Karunaratne has found the gap brilliantly. Full and on the pads, DK whips it through the gap and it reaches the fence. |
| 15.5: K Rabada to L Thirimanne, OUT! Edged and taken this time! The change of angle does the trick but to be honest a poor shot by Thirimanne. It was slightly behind the driving length, Thirimanne who got away with one earlier should have left that ball but he does not learn from his mistake. Throws his bat at it, the ball takes the outside edge and goes at a comfortable height for the second slip fielder. Faf du Plessis takes a tumbling catch. The opening stand has been broken and Sri Lanka's g |
| 16.3 : 16.3: V Philander to Karunaratne, OUT! Umpire's call as it is clipping the top of middle and leg stump. Karunaratne walks back now however, he does not take the review with him. Both the set batsmen though are back in the hut and suddenly Sri Lanka are in a spot of bother. The inswinger once again gets the better of the opener. It pitches on middle and comes back in. Karunaratne looks to keep it out but fails to put bat on ball. It hits his pads and an appeal follows. The umpire thinks and then |
| 17.4 : 17.4: K Rabada to Fernando, Almost drags it on! That was very loose by Fernando. It was a length ball outside off, comes back in a little. Fernando throws his bat at it but the ball goes off the inner half, over the off pole and down to the fine leg fence. |
| 17.5 : 17.5: K Rabada to Fernando, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! This is more convincing! Short and outside off, Fernando stands tall and guides it through point for a boundary. |
| 18.5: D Olivier to K Mendis, OUT! There goes no. 3! Olivier strikes in his first over itself! Another poor shot by another Sri Lankan batsman. It is short and just outside off. Mendis decides very late that he is going to upper cut it. The shot was never on as it there was not a lot of width on offer and also it was difficult to get on top of the bounce of that delivery. He only manages an outside edge. De Kock takes it with a leap. |
| 19.2 : 19.2: K Rabada to Fernando, FOUR! Streaky! Through the vacant gully region. On a length and around off, Fernando goes at it with hard hands, it hits the edge and runs down to the third man fence. Living dangerously is the batter. |
| 21.6 : 21.6: K Rabada to Perera, FOUR! Up and over! Slightly fuller and Rabada pays the price. Perera stands and lofts it over mid off. A boundary results. |
| 23.3 : 23.3: K Maharaj to Fernando, FOUR! Easy-peasy! Down the leg side, Fernando sweeps it fine and ti races to the fine leg fence. |
| 27.6 : 27.6: K Maharaj to Perera, FOUR! Lovely! This one was outside off, Perera makes room and punches this through cover-point for a glorious boundary. |
| 34.6: K Rabada to O Fernando, FOUR! Great stroke! Full length delivery on off and middle, Fernando gets right behind that one and drives it through mid off for the first boundary of the day. Brings up the 50-run stand between these two. |
| 35.1 : 35.1: D Steyn to K Perera, FOUR! This time it is Perera with a good shot. Back of a length delivery outside off, Perera slashes it through covers on his back foot. The fielder at cover dives to his right but cannot get anywhere close to the ball. First boundary of the day for Perera. |
| 37.2 : 37.2: D Steyn to Fernando, OUT! Steyn with the breakthrough. Cross seam delivery on off, the ball goes away from the batsman after pitching. The ball is on off, Oshada has no option but to play that one. He looks to push it but gets a thick outside edge and the ball flies to the second slip fielder. Faf du Plessis there takes a good catch at a comfortable height. And it is a huge blow for Sri Lanka as the 58-run stand is broken. |
| 37.4 : 37.4: Steyn to Dickwella, OUT! Soft dismissal but also a great catch. This is bowled seam up by Steyn. It is full on middle, the ball stops and comes at Dickwella. Niroshan initially looks to defend but then goes for the drive. He is in between those two and ends up chipping it towards the bowler. The ball goes uppishly to the right of Dale Steyn but he shows great reflexes and takes it with one hand. Second wicket of the over and Steyn is ecstatic. Half the side back in the pavilion and now th |
| 38.3 : 38.3: K Rabada to Perera, FOUR! Lovely! Rabada bangs it short on off, Kusal was on to it like a flash and pulled it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 41.2 : 41.2: D Steyn to Perera, FOUR! Lucky escape! Off the inside edge but why are the South Africans appealing for LBW? Goodness me, they are thinking about the review too! Thankfully, they don't take it. Cross seam delivery on middle and leg, the ball comes in a bit after pitching. Kusal looks to punch it straight down the ground but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball flies past the leg stump and de Kock dives to his right but cannot stop it. Now, here is the drama. Steyn bellows out an LBW |
| 41.5 : 41.5: D Steyn to Perera, FOUR! Up and over! Short and outside off, Kusal slashes it over point for a boundary! |
| 45.1 : 45.1: K Maharaj to Perera, FOUR! Too short. Didn't spin. Perera rocks back and cuts it through covers. The ball runs to the fence. |
| 46.4 : 46.4: D Olivier to Silva, FOUR! Short again, de Silva goes back into the crease and punches it through cover-point for a good looking boundary. |
| 51.2 : 51.2: K Maharaj to Silva, FOUR! Loopy ball on middle and leg, Dhananjaya sweeps and sweeps well. It goes through square leg and away to the fence. |
| 56.6 : 56.6: K Rabada to Silva, FOUR! Dhanajaya is flirting with danger here. Length delivery outside off stump, de Silva looks to hit it on the off side but gets an outside edge on it. The ball flies past the diving Faf du Plessis at second slip and races away to the third man fence. Rabada is down on the ground in disbelief, and rightly so. 7 times out of 10 that edge goes straight to the slip fielder. |
| 58.4 : 58.4: K Rabada to Silva, FOUR! Effortless from Dhananjaya. Good length delivery around off, de Silva gets on his front foot foot and drives it through mid off for a boundary. |
| 60.2 : 60.2: K Rabada to Perera, FOUR! Short, wide and punished by Perera. Length delivery outside off, Kusal cuts it through point and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 60.6 : 60.6: K Rabada to Silva, FOUR! Beautiful shot. Rabada offers width by bowling it outside off on a length. de Silva cuts it brilliantly through point for a boundary. |
| 62.1 : 62.1: K Rabada to de Silva, FOUR! A very controlled pull from de Silva. Shorter in length by Rabada, Dhananjyan gets on his back foot and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. Sri Lanka have crossed the 200-run mark. |
| 63.1: K Maharaj to Silva, OUT! GONE! Three reds! What a review from Maharaj. Perfect. Arm ball on middle and leg, Dhananjaya gets low to sweep but misses the ball. He gets hit on the pads and Keshav puts in a huge appeal. The umpire stays unmoved. The spinner requests his skipper to take it up. Faf goes up. Replays roll in and show us that there was no bat involved and the ball would have gone to hit the leg stump. De Silva played well but the 96-run stand comes to an end. Is this the opening f |
| 63.2 : 63.2: K Maharaj to S Lakmal, OUT! Two in two for Maharaj. Tossed up on off, Lakmal looks to defend it but is late in his defense. The ball hits the outside edge and goes towards the slip fielder. Faf du Plessis takes a good catch there on his right. Keshav is now on a hat-trick. The tide of this match has once again shifted in favour of South Africa. |
| 66.5 : 66.5: D Olivier to L Embuldeniya, OUT! Shorter length delivery does the trick. Duanne bowls it short, the ball rises onto the batsman. Embuldeniya looks to defend it but then sees the ball rising onto him so he takes his eyes off. The ball hits his glove and lobs to the fielder at short leg. Aiden Markram there takes a very simple catch and South Africa now just 2 wickets away from wrapping up this game. The debutant cannot repeat his heroics from the 1st innings and he has to walk back. |
| 69.1 : 69.1: K Maharaj to Perera, FOUR! Quicker on leg, Perera looks to sweep it. It flicks off his glove and goes to the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| 69.4 : 69.4: Maharaj to Rajitha, OUT! LBW! Rajitha has to walk off along with the review. Arm ball on middle and leg. Keeps going straight. Rajitha looks to flick it but misses. The ball hits him on the pads and the players appeal. Kasun takes the review but it does him no good. The ball was crashing into leg stump. Maharaj has another one and the hosts need just one more wicket for victory. |
| 71.1 : 71.1: K Maharaj to Perera, SIX! Kusal has decided to attack now. Flighted delivery outside off, Perera comes down the track and heaves it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. Perera now moves into his 90's. |
| 73.3 : 73.3: K Maharaj to Perera, FOUR! What a shot! Goes for the reverse sweep and gets it off the middle. Gets in position early and reverse sweeps it over backward point. The ball bounces just before the ropes. Moves to 99 now. |
| 76.2 : 76.2: D Olivier to Perera, SIX! Brilliant shot. Shorter in length around middle and off, Perera rocks onto his back foot and heaves it over the fine leg fence for a maximum. The total crosses 250 with that and Sri Lanka now require 52. |
| 81.5 : 81.5: K Rabada to Perera, FOUR! Short ball on the leg side. Perera pulls it well and the ball crosses the ropes past the square leg boundary. Nicely played. |
| 82.4 : 82.4: D Steyn to Perera, SIX! HUGE! OH MY WORD! Perera is taking the onus on himself. That's the 50- run stand and Kusal has made most of it. Fuller ball on the pads, Perera flicks it over square leg for a big hit. |
| 83.4: K Rabada to Perera, TOP EDGE, SIX! Kusal Perera is riding his luck here. A short ball, around leg stump, Perera looks to pull but is in no position to do so. He gets a top edge which sails high in the air. Fine leg starts to move to his left but the ball has cleared the ropes! 14 more to win now... |
| 84.4: D Steyn to Perera, SIX! SLAP! That is gutsy shot and the runs required come into single digits! A length ball, around off, Kusal swings with all his might and clears mid-wicket with ease! Two men are waiting in the deep for this stroke, awaiting the top edge but it does not come. 7 more needed to win... |
| 85.3 : 85.3: K Rabada to Perera, FOUR! SRI LANKA WIN! Unbelievable. Simply unbelievable. A length ball, outside off, Perera just angles this towards third man but it is more of an outside edge. Luckily for him, the ball flies wide of the slip fielder and races to the third man fence! Just the second 1-wicket win for the Lankans in Tests, both against South Africa! |
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