On day 4 of the second Take a look at at St George’s Park, South Africa left Sri Lanka struggling at 205-5, chasing a goal of 348. Dane Paterson and Keshav Maharaj every claimed two wickets. Kagiso Rabada initiated the Sri Lankan downfall by dismissing opener Dimuth Karunaratne early within the innings.
Sri Lanka’s counterattack was led by Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, who shaped an unbeaten 83-run partnership.
Each batsmen remained not out on 39, making certain the match prolonged to a fifth day. Nevertheless, South Africa remained favourites to win the sequence 2-0.
De Silva and Mendis are the final acknowledged batsmen. The best profitable run chase at St George’s Park is 271, achieved by Australia 27 years in the past.
Dimuth Karunaratne’s struggles continued, with scores of two, 4, 20, and 1 within the sequence. He was dismissed by Rabada in all 4 innings.
Rabada and Paterson’s techniques created uncertainty for the Sri Lankan batsmen. Whereas there have been some free deliveries, the batsmen wanted resilience.
Pathum Nissanka, the opposite opener, edged a Paterson supply to the wicketkeeper earlier than tea, scoring 18.
Shortly after tea, Paterson dismissed Dinesh Chandimal, who was additionally taking part in defensively. Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis tried a restoration from 64-3. Nevertheless, each fell to Maharaj.
Mathews was bowled making an attempt an enormous shot for 32. Kamindu Mendis edged behind to Kyle Verreynne for 35.
De Silva and Kusal Mendis then mixed. They solidified their partnership and performed extra freely because the ball aged and the bowlers drained.
South Africa’s goal of 348 appeared imposing, particularly after their second innings concluded simply after lunch at 317. A complete of 400 had appeared possible at one stage.
Temba Bavuma, resuming on 48, reached his fourth consecutive fifty within the morning’s first over. Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs constructed a composed 100-run partnership. Nevertheless, Stubbs was run out making an attempt a dangerous second run, departing for 47.
Bavuma and David Bedingham confronted a barrage of short-pitched deliveries earlier than falling to Prabath Jayasuriya. Bavuma top-scored for South Africa with 66 off 116 balls. His scores of 70, 113, and 78 within the sequence made him the best run-scorer by a substantial margin, virtually 130 runs forward of Stubbs.
Two extra wickets fell earlier than the brand new ball turned out there. Jayasuriya claimed his tenth five-wicket haul, his first outdoors Sri Lanka, ending with 5-129.
South Africa, at 191-Three in a single day with a 211-run lead, slipped to 282-Eight and a lead of 312 by lunch.
In a dramatic four-over spell after lunch, Rabada, Paterson, and Maharaj added an additional 35 runs earlier than the innings ended at 317.
