| 0.0 : Hello and a warm welcome for Day 1 of the second Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka. The home side will be brimming with confidence after their brilliant all-round show in the first Test. Stephen Cook constructed his innings brilliantly in both the innings and the hosts will be banking upon him to continue his good run. Their skipper, Faf du Plessis is enjoying the role of captaincy and inspiring his side to deliver their best. While, their pace attack is arguably the best in the world and |
| On the other hand, the Islanders were good in patches with bat and ball but lost the game due to the failure to click together as a unit. They have a young side and some exciting players in their ranks. They would look up to the likes of Matthews, Herath and Chandimal and it is big time that the experienced campaigners pave the way for them. Will the home side seal the series here itself or will the visitors show mettle and get back to winning ways? A cracker of a contest at the picturesque Newl |
| SRI LANKA WIN THE TOSS AND OPT TO FIELD FIRST! |
| Team Changes - South Africa have named an unchanged side for the second Test while there are two changes for Sri Lanka - UPUL THARANGA comes in for Kusal Perera while Dushmantha Chameera makes way for LAHIRU KUMARA. |
| We are ready for the first session. The players and the umpires come out in the middle. STEPHEN COOK and DEAN ELGAR will open the batting for South Africa. Can they lay a solid foundation for their middle order or will the Lankan pacers make use of the overcast conditions to nip out two or three quick wickets? SURANGA LAKMAL to start with the new cherry. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : S Lakmal to Cook, A good start for Lakmal! Bowls it on a length outside off, shapes away a touch. Cook points his bat skywards and lets it through. |
| 0.2 : S Lakmal to Cook, This length delivery comes back in! Good use of swing by Lakmal. Cook looks to defend it but misses and is struck on the thigh pad. |
| 0.3 : S Lakmal to Cook, In the corridor of uncertainty, Stephen doesn't fiddle with that one. |
| 0.4 : S Lakmal to Cook, OUT! LAKMAL STRIKES! The hero of the first Test departs. Just the start the Lankans would have wanted. Bowls just a back of a length ball outside off, shapes away appreciably. Cook hops back and pokes at it tamely but gets a thick outside edge that flies towards Mendis behind the stumps. He makes no mistake and takes a regulation catch. Can they keep on putting the pressure on the home side with two or three more quick wickets? |
| HASHIM AMLA comes out to bat at no. 3. |
| 0.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 0.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, Short of a length ball outside off, moves away after pitching. Amla sees it through safely. |
| NUWAN PRADEEP to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Bowls a fullish delivery on leg stump, Elgar looks to clip it through but misses and is rapped on the front pad. A stifled appeal for LBW turned down. That was one was probably going down leg. |
| 1.2 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Good shot! Fractionally overpitched outside off, Dean comes forward and punches it nicely through the covers. The timing is good on that one and he gets off the mark with three runs. |
| 1.3 : N Pradeep to Amla, Bowls a fullish delivery attacking the stumps, Amla prods forwards and defends it to the covers. |
| 1.4 : N Pradeep to Amla, GOOD LEAVE! Bowls it just back of a length outside off, shaping in and zips through the pitch. Amla doesn't flirt with that one. |
| 1.5 : N Pradeep to Amla, In the channel outside off, holding its line. Another leave by Amla. There has been good carry on this track so far. Good signs for the pace bowlers, they will enjoy bowling on this track. |
| 1.6 : N Pradeep to Amla, Slips this one down the leg side, Amla looks to clip it but misses. |
| 2.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, FOUR! FIRST BOUNDARY OF THE MATCH! On a length and straying on the hips, Elgar gets a fine tickle on it and the ball races to the fine leg fence. |
| 2.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Fullish delivery on middle and off, Elgar is a bit tentative with his foot movement as he comes half-forward and defends it down. |
| 2.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, On a length angling away, Dean gets behind the line and defends it solidly to the off side. |
| 2.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Straying on the pads, nudged round the corner for a run. |
| 2.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, THAT'S A PEACH! Amla didn't have any clue about that one. Bowls a full length ball outside off and Amla is drawn forward to that one. The ball moves away substantially and beats the tentative front foot push of Amla. He was lucky not to nick that one behind. |
| 2.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, In the corridor of uncertainty, Hashim lets it through. |
| 3.1 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Short of a length ball attacking the body, Elgar defends it to short leg. |
| 3.2 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Fullish delivery shaping away from Dean. He pushes at it tentatively off his front foot but drags it from the inner half towards mid on. |
| 3.3 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Fullish length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 3.4 : N Pradeep to Elgar, On a length outside off, angling away. Elgar plants his front foot forward and leaves it alone. |
| 3.5 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Hurls in a full length ball outside off again luring Elgar into a false shot. He resists the temptation and allows it through. |
| 3.6 : N Pradeep to Elgar, On a length, angling away. Played towards gully with an angled blade. |
| 4.1 : S Lakmal to Amla, On a length outside off, holding its line. Amla doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 4.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, Short of a length ball outside off, shaping back in. Amla points his bat skywards and allows it through. |
| 4.3 : S Lakmal to H Amla, AMLA GETS OFF THE MARK AFTER A TENTATIVE START! Bowls it fullish outside off, Amla comes forward and drives it beautifully through the vacant mid off region. Good timing on that one and that will boost his confidence! |
| 4.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Back of a length ball on off, Elgar hops back and defends it past the short leg fielder. |
| 4.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, On a driving length this time and it's around off, Dean is again caught in the crease. He finally comes forward and defends it down the track. |
| 4.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 5.1 : N Pradeep to Amla, On a length, angling in. Amla comes forward and defends it to the off side. |
| 5.2 : N Pradeep to Amla, Fullish delivery curving back into Hashim. He defends it towards mid-wicket. |
| 5.3 : N Pradeep to Amla, Short of a length ball wide outside off, played with an angled blade to point. |
| 5.4 : N Pradeep to Amla, Fullish length ball outside off, holding its line. Amla steers it towards the man at point. |
| 5.5 : N Pradeep to Amla, THAT CUT HIM INTO TWO HALVES! Bowls a length delivery outside off, nipping in a lot. Amla looks to leave it initially but plays at it at the last moment. Gets beaten all ends up! |
| 5.6 : N Pradeep to Amla, Fullish delivery on the stumps, clipped nicely through mid-wicket and good running between the wicket allows them to come back for the third. |
| 6.1 : S Lakmal to Amla, Length delivery around off, Hashim covers the line and defends it to the off side. |
| 6.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, Fullish delivery swinging in, Amla lunges forward and blocks it into the ground. |
| 6.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, GOOD GAME AWARENESS! This time he taps it with soft hands towards covers and comes across for a brisk single. |
| 6.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Full delivery and straying on the pads, clipped towards fine leg for a run. |
| 6.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, FOUR! DELIGHTFUL! Slightly overpitched outside off, Amla lunges forward and with an open face drives it elegantly through the covers. It looked like a certain boundary the moment it left his bat. |
| 6.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, On a length around off, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 7.1 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Comes around the wicket and angles in a length delivery. Elgar covers the line and defends it nicely. |
| 7.2 : N Pradeep to Elgar, A bit fuller on this ocassion, Elgar points his bat skywards and allows it through. |
| 7.3 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Wide outside off, Elgar makes an easy leave. |
| Nuwan Pradeep stopped in his followthrough there. The replays show that his left elbow caught umpire Dar on his right arm. Dar shouted out in spin immediately which made Pradeep not to release ball from his hands. Rangana Herath then dives Dar a massage and he seems to be fine now. |
| 7.4 : N Pradeep to Elgar, On a good length, defended to the leg side. |
| 7.5 : N Pradeep to Elgar, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 7.6 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Short of a length ball, angling in. Elgar hops back and defends it down the track. |
| 8.1 : S Lakmal to Amla, Ooh.. THAT LOOKED CLOSE! Bowls a fullish length ball outside off, shapes in after pitching. Amla looks to defend it but misses and is hit flush on the front pad. There is a huge appeal for LBW from the Lankans but the umpire stays unmoved. Matthews looks at his bowler and thinks about the review but decides against taking it. Good decision to not take it as the Hawk Eye shows that the impact was outside off. |
| 8.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, LOOSE SHOT! Shortish delivery wide outside off, Amla slashes at it but misses. |
| 8.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 8.4 : S Lakmal to Amla, Sprays this one down the leg side, Hashim looks to clip it but misses and is struck low on the pads. |
| 8.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 8.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, Full delivery outside off, Amla looks to drive it but drags it off the inner half towards mid off. |
| ANGELO MATHEWS comes into the attack. |
| 9.1 : A Mathews to Elgar, ALMOST GOT A WICKET OFF HIS FIRST BALL! Hurls this one full and outside off and invites Elgar for a drive. He prods forward to drive but the balance is not quite there. The ball whizzes past his outside edge. |
| 9.2 : A Mathews to Elgar, Leg bye! Well run! Bowls it on a length on the stumps, Elgar looks to clip it but is struck on the thigh pad. Good running to come across for a run. |
| 9.3 : A Mathews to Amla, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 9.4 : A Mathews to Amla, On a length outside off, shaping away. Amla looks to push it but gets an outside edge through the slip cordon. Couple taken! |
| 9.5 : A Mathews to Amla, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They manage to come back for the second |
| 9.6 : A Mathews to Amla, Full delivery outside off, defended off the front foot to the off side. |
| 10.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, On a length outside off, Elgar covers the line and defends it nicely. |
| 10.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Fullish and straying on the pads, nudged round the corner for a run. |
| 10.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, Camps back to the length delivery and buries it into the ground down the track. |
| 10.4 : S Lakmal to Amla, Too straight on this occasion, glanced to fine leg for a run. |
| 10.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Slips this one down the leg side, Elgar clips it uppishly and it just flies over the left hand of the fielder at short leg. That was too close for comfort. Rolls through to deep backward square leg. Couple taken! |
| 10.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, FOUR! WELL PLAYED! Bowls it fullish on the stumps, Elgar lunges forward and just pushes it through the vacant mid on region for a superb boundary. |
| 11.1 : A Mathews to Amla, CLASS BOWLING FROM MATHEWS! Bowls it fullish outside off, gets it to curve away appreciably. Amla is drawn into a false stroke and the ball whizzes past his outside edge. |
| 11.2 : A Mathews to Amla, This time he hurls it wide outside off, Hashim doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 11.3 : A Mathews to Amla, Gets this one to swing back in and its on a fuller length. When the ball swings both ways the batsman is caught off guard and that's what is happening with Amla. He is looking shaky out there. He comes forward tentatively and manages to defend it down the track. |
| 11.4 : A Mathews to Amla, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 11.5 : A Mathews to Amla, Length delivery outside off, shaping away. Amla goes back and pokes at it but gets beaten all ends up. |
| 11.6 : A Mathews to Amla, This one shapes in a touch as Amla comes forward and blocks it to the off side. A great over by Mathews. |
| NUWAN PRADEEP is back on. |
| 12.1 : N Pradeep to D Elgar, FOUR! SHOT! Comes around the wicket and bowls a length ball outside off, Elgar drives it with an open face through covers and the ball races to the fence. |
| 12.2 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Taps this one with soft hands towards covers and scurries through for a sharp single. |
| 12.3 : N Pradeep to Amla, Length delivery coming back, Hashim looks to tuck it but is struck on the thigh pad. |
| 12.4 : N Pradeep to Amla, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 12.5 : N Pradeep to Amla, Fullish delivery outside off, shapes in. Amla covers his off pole and lets it through. |
| 12.6 : N Pradeep to Amla, Shortish and wide outside off, Hashim cuts it hard to the man at backward point. |
| Time for Drinks. |
| 13.1 : A Mathews to Elgar, Full length ball on off, Elgar puts his head down and defends it calmly back towards the bowler. |
| 13.2 : A Mathews to Elgar, This time Mathews lands it on a length and it's angling away from Elgar. He lets it through. |
| 13.3 : A Mathews to Elgar, Hurls this one on a driving length outside off, Dean comes across a touch but leaves it alone at the end. |
| 13.4 : A Mathews to Elgar, On a full length and wide outside off this time, an easy leave for Elgar. |
| 13.5 : A Mathews to Elgar, On a length and it's too straight on this ocassion, picked off his hips nicely and gets it to deep mid-wicket. Three runs taken! |
| 13.6 : A Mathews to Amla, Fullish delivery on middle and leg, clipped with soft hands towards the fielder at mid-wicket. Takes him on and completes the single comfortably at the end. |
| 14.1 : N Pradeep to Amla, On a length outside off, holding its line. Amla plants his front foot across and leaves it alone. |
| 14.2 : N Pradeep to Amla, FOUR! BEAUTIFUL! Fractionally overpitched wide outside off, Amla uses his hand-eye coordination to great effect. Doesn't move his feet much but still drives it beautifully through the covers for a cracking boundary. |
| 14.3 : N Pradeep to Amla, Short of a length outside off, Amla makes an easy leave. |
| 14.4 : N Pradeep to Amla, In the channel outside off, left alone again. |
| 14.5 : N Pradeep to Amla, Gets this to curve back in from a fullish length, Amla is squared up a touch but manages to defend it towards point. |
| 14.6 : N Pradeep to Amla, Just a back of a length delivery outside off, Amla points his bat skywards and allows it through. |
| 15.1 : A Mathews to Elgar, Good change of pace. Bowls an off cutter around off at 114.5 clicks, Elgar picks it up nicely and pushes it with soft hands through the covers for a run. Wanted the second but decides against it as the fielder was quick to reach to it. |
| 15.2 : A Mathews to Amla, In the corridor of uncertainty, holding its line. Hashim doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 15.3 : A Mathews to Amla, On a length outside off, defended with an open face towards point. |
| 15.4 : A Mathews to Amla, Sticks to the same length outside off, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 15.5 : A Mathews to Amla, Hurls this one a bit fuller and it's nipping in a touch. Amla puts in a confident stride forward and defends it to the covers. |
| 15.6 : A Mathews to Amla, He is getting nice shape here! Bowls it in the channel outside off, nips back in. Amla covers his off pole and leaves it alone. |
| 16.1 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Cranks up his pace on this occasion and bowls it fullish around off at 140.9 clicks, Elgar prods forward and defends it to the covers. |
| 16.2 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Bowls it on a length and its angling away from Dean. He comes forward and allows it through. |
| 16.3 : N Pradeep to Elgar, WELL BOWLED! Bowls it on a length around off, angles away. Elgar covers his off pole, trusts it to go away and leaves it alone safely. |
| 16.4 : N Pradeep to Elgar, This time he gets squared up to the length delivery and defends it down on the track. |
| 16.5 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Fuller delivery around off, Elgar looks to push it through covers with soft hands but drags it from the inner half back towards the bowler. |
| 16.6 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Drops this one with soft hands to the covers and scurries for a quick single. |
| 17.1 : A Mathews to Elgar, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 17.2 : A Mathews to Elgar, On a length on the stumps, defended off the back foot towards mid on. |
| The Sun has broken through and is shining brightly at the moment. |
| 17.3 : A Mathews to Elgar, Short of a length delivery on middle, Elgar covers the line and defends it stoutly. |
| 17.4 : A Mathews to Elgar, FOUR! EASY PICKINGS! Straying on the hips, Elgar nudges it and the ball races to the fine leg fence. |
| 50-run stand up between Elgar and Amla. |
| 17.5 : A Mathews to Elgar, Bowls it on a length outside off, shapes away. Elgar feels for it but is beaten. |
| 17.6 : A Mathews to Elgar, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| LAHIRU KUMARA is into the attack. Let's see how the youngster fares. |
| 18.1 : L Kumara to Amla, Starts with a very wide delivery outside off, Amla has nothing to do with it. Mike Haysman on air mentions, that he is not lifting is bat as much in his followthrough as he did it in the first Test. |
| 18.2 : L Kumara to H Amla, Fullish delivery on the stumps, Amla drives it through mid on and gets three runs for it. |
| 18.3 : L Kumara to Elgar, A bit shortish this time and it's angling across Elgar. He sways away from the line to evade it. |
| 18.4 : L Kumara to Elgar, No ball! Digs this one short, Elgar hops back and keeps it down towards gully. Kumara overstepped on that occasion. |
| L Kumara to Elgar, Short of a length delivery, Elgar looks to tuck it but is struck on the thigh pad. |
| 18.5 : L Kumara to Elgar, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 18.6 : L Kumara to Elgar, Short delivery wide outside off, Elgar cuts it hard towards point but fails to bisect the field. |
| 19.1 : A Mathews to Amla, Full delivery outside off, left alone. |
| 19.2 : A Mathews to Amla, Fullish delivery on the stumps, defended towards mid on. |
| 19.3 : A Mathews to Amla, Straying on the pads, nudged round the corner for a run. |
| 19.4 : A Mathews to Elgar, Comes around the wicket and hurls it fullish and wide outside off, Elgar doesn't flirt with that one. |
| 19.5 : A Mathews to Elgar, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 19.6 : A Mathews to Elgar, Wide! Drops this one way too short and Elgar ducks under it. It went way over his head to sail into the gloves of the keeper. Wide signaled by the umpire for height. |
| A Mathews to Elgar, Sticks to the short delivery outside off, Dean looks to pull it but mistimes it towards mid on. |
| 20.1 : L Kumara to Amla, On a length on the stumps, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 20.2 : L Kumara to Amla, On a length and it's angling down leg. Amla looks to clip it through but misses. A bit of ooh's and aah's from the Lankans. |
| 20.3 : L Kumara to Amla, In the air... but safe! Bowls a fullish delivery and it's tailing back in, Hashim closes his bat face early and gets a leading edge towards covers which falls down safely. |
| 20.4 : L Kumara to Amla, Very full delivery outside off, pushed of the front foot to covers. |
| 20.5 : L Kumara to Amla, Length delivery on off, defended off the back foot to mid-wicket. |
| 20.6 : L Kumara to Amla, FOUR! SUPERB! What a flourish of the bat! Bowls it fullish outside off, Amla lunges forward and drives it down the ground and the ball whistles away to the fence. He is looking confident now after his nervy start. |
| LAKMAL is back on. |
| 21.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, On a length on middle and leg, Dean camps back and defends it. |
| 21.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Similar length ball on the pads, defended towards short leg. |
| 21.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Short of a length delivery on off, rising up on Elgar. He rides the bounce and keeps it down. |
| 21.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, FOUR! GOOD BALANCE! Bowls it fullish and on the pads, Elgar clips it gently through mid-wicket. The timing is spot on and he gets the desired result! |
| 21.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Follows it up with a length delivery outside off, Elgar covers the line and defends it nicely. |
| 21.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, The batsman has played it to the point region. |
| 22.1 : L Kumara to Amla, OUT! KUMARA SENDS AMLA BACK WITH A PEACH! The youngster is absolutely pumped up and why not, it's the big fish that he has grabbed. Bowls it fullish outside off at 143.4 clicks, Amla comes back and accross initially and then strides forward to play an ambitious drive down the ground. The inward movement is sharp and Amla leaves a huge gap between his bat and pad. The ball whizzes between the gate and crashes into the stumps. A lot of energy into the celebration from Kum |
| 0.0 : JP DUMINY comes into bat. |
| 22.2 : L Kumara to Duminy, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 22.3 : L Kumara to JP Duminy, Fullish delivery on the stumps, driven to mid on. |
| 22.4 : L Kumara to Duminy, He is bending his back and has his tail up! Bowls a shortish delivery outside off, gets it to lift from the pitch. Duminy drops his wrists and lets it go through. |
| 22.5 : L Kumara to Duminy, On a length outside off, Duminy leaves it alone. |
| 22.6 : L Kumara to Duminy, OUT! STRANGLES DUMINY DOWN THE LEG SIDE! It has been an amazing over and he has brought Sri Lanka right back into the contest after a lean phase. Sticks to a short delivery and attacks the rib-cage of Duminy. He hops back, gets into an uncomfortable position and tries to fend it off. Ends up gloving it and Kusal Mendis moves to his right and leaps athletically into the air to grab a stunner. Absolute ripper! The 19-year old youngster is turning it around. Duminy's weak |
| FAF DU PLESSIS walks out to bat. |
| 23.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 23.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Fullish delivery outside off, played with an angled blade to gully. |
| 23.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, On a length on the stumps, Elgar comes forward and defends it nicely. |
| 23.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 23.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Fullish on middle and leg, pushed off the front foot back to the bowler. |
| 23.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Full length ball outside off, Elgar prods forward and pushes it to the covers. |
| 24.1 : L Kumara to Plessis, He is bowling with good pace! Bowls a length delivery around off, nips back in and zips through the pitch. Faf hops back to defend but is struck near the abdomen region. He is constantly troubling the batsmen. |
| 24.2 : L Kumara to Plessis, Short of a length ball outside off, du Plessis rises with the bounce and defends it down. |
| 24.3 : L Kumara to Plessis, Drops a short delivery and it's going down leg, left alone by the Protea skipper. |
| 24.4 : L Kumara to Plessis, STREAKY WAY TO GET OFF THE MARK! Bowls it fullish outside off, swirling back in. Faf comes forward and looks to block it but gets a thick inside edge that rolls down to fine leg. Single taken! |
| 24.5 : L Kumara to Elgar, Fullish and straying on the pads, clipped nicely through backward square leg for a couple. |
| 24.6 : L Kumara to Elgar, On a length attacking the stumps at around 144 clicks, Elgar covers the line and manages to block it out. THAT'S LUNCH ON DAY 1! |
| What a terrific comeback from Sri Lanka! They finished the session similar to how they started it, and it's all thanks to their young pacer, Lahiru Kumara. After Lakmal gave them a bright start by removing Cook in the very first over, South Africa made their way back into the game. Elgar and Amla were doing extremely well, seeing the swing out well and negotiating things confidently. |
| It seemed like the hosts would take the morning session for themselves, but then Lahiru Kumara struck gold. Bowled a peach of an over in which he first dismissed Amla, and then sent JP Duminy packing. That swung the complexion of the match completely and now, it can be said that Sri Lanka have a slight edge. |
| The clouds are still hovering, the conditions are quite overcast and a solid breeze is still blowing across the Newlands. There's plenty of swing on offer and that will make the afternoon session an interesting one. Join us in a short while for all the action. |
| ... DAY 1, SESSION 2 ... |
| We are back for the second session. The players and the umpires are back for action. DEAN ELGAR AND FAF DU PLESSIS will continue their innings. Can the Lankans continue their momentum and dent the middle order of the hosts or will the home side put up a brave show? SURANGA LAKMAL to continue his spell. Here we go... |
| 25.1 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Bowls a length delivery on middle and leg, a bit of extra bounce there. Faf fends it towards the leg side for a run. |
| 25.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Hurls this one on a length outside off, Elgar plants his front foot across and leaves it alone. |
| 25.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Fullish delivery outside off, Elgar comes forward and pushes it with hard hands to short covers. His bottom hand came off in the process. |
| 25.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, FOUR! Slight short and allows room to Dean to cash on. He camps back and punches it beautifully through the covers and the ball races to the fence. Good, solid stuff from him. |
| 25.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Comes around the wicket and hurls in a length delivery on his pads, tucked neatly to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 25.6 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Short of a length ball outside off, Faf camps back and punches it towards extra cover. The veteran, Rangana Herath puts in a dive and keeps it down to a single. |
| LAHIRU KUMARA to bowl from the other end. |
| 26.1 : L Kumara to Plessis, Back of a length delivery outside off, du Plessis hangs back and punches it towards mid off for nothing. |
| 26.2 : L Kumara to Plessis, Way, way outside off, du Plessis tries to go after it but cannot do so. |
| 26.3 : L Kumara to Plessis, FOUR! Easy as they come for Faf. It's on his pads and all he has to do is tickle it fine down the leg side. Beats the diving keeper with ease and picks up a boundary to his name. |
| 26.4 : L Kumara to Plessis, Short of a length, outside off, it's punched away to the covers but it's straight to the fielder. |
| 26.5 : L Kumara to Plessis, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 26.6 : L Kumara to Plessis, Good length delivery on the fifth stump line, Faf makes a rather comfortable leave as he withdraws his bat to let it through. |
| 27.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Good length delivery slanting across, Dean Elgar without much foot movement leans forward and keeps it down on the track with a straight bat. |
| 27.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, This time the left-hander works it through the mid-wicket region and picks up a single. |
| 27.3 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Length ball aiming the top of off stump, Faf du Plessis stands firm and blocks it out from within his crease. |
| 27.4 : S Lakmal to du Plessis, Was that an edge? Or did he play it deliberately? Seems it was deliberate but it just went off the outer half. Opened the face and ran it towards gully. |
| 27.5 : S Lakmal to Plessis, In the off stump channel, on a nice length, it's not bothered with by the Protea captain. |
| 27.6 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Tailing in slightly, du Plessis comes ahead and meets it on the front foot. Ends the over with a solid block. |
| 28.1 : L Kumara to Elgar, Full toss on middle and leg, Dean Elgar just wrists this through mid-wicket and jogs to the other end to complete the single. |
| 28.2 : L Kumara to Plessis, Comes from a wide of the crease and angles this in, it straightens up a shade as it's left alone by Faf du Plessis. |
| 28.3 : L Kumara to Plessis, Prods forward to this fuller ball and blocks it out on the off side. |
| 28.4 : L Kumara to du Plessis, Back of a length delivery shaping in on the body, du Plessis swivels across and pulls it down towards fine leg for one. |
| 28.5 : L Kumara to Elgar, Back of a length on the stumps, it's kept down on the track by the southpaw opener off the back foot. |
| 28.6 : L Kumara to Elgar, Kumara brings out the short one and bangs it in hard, completely catches Elgar by surprise. But, to the left-hander's credit, he did do well in the end to just sway a bit out of the way. Was a sharp bumper, though. |
| 29.1 : S Lakmal to Plessis, A hint of movement away, on a length and outside off, arms are shouldered to this one. |
| 29.2 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Back of a length delivery outside off, quite harmless as it's quite away from the batsman, no shot offered. |
| 29.3 : S Lakmal to Plessis, BIG SWING AND A MISS! Faf du Plessis really threw his bat at that but the movement away saw the ball whisker past the outside edge. Was on a full length and Faf will feel he misses out. There to be hit. |
| 29.4 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Tight line from Lakmal, keeps it very, very close to that off stump. It's dabbed away with an open face a bit square on the off side. |
| 29.5 : S Lakmal to Plessis, A bit of extra bounce there for Suranga Lakmal. Squares du Plessis up a bit, it squirts off the shoulder of the bat towards cover-point as the batsmen take a run. |
| 29.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Swinging in on middle and off, Elgar with a bit of a closed face works it to mid-wicket. |
| 30.1 : L Kumara to Plessis, Low full toss from Kumara, it's played off the inside half back down to mid on. |
| 30.2 : L Kumara to Plessis, Short and angling down leg, the South African skipper goes for the big pull shot but the bounce is just too high. It goes past his glove and into the keeper's gloves. |
| 30.3 : L Kumara to Plessis, Shouts for a leg before but it's turned down. Good decision by the umpire. Fuller and nipping in on middle and leg, Faf du Plessis looks to flick it across the line but gets an inside edge onto his pads. And that's why the umpire did not signal it as out. |
| 30.4 : L Kumara to Plessis, Stays rooted within his crease and keeps it out. |
| 30.5 : L Kumara to du Plessis, FOUR! Short and way down leg, easy peasy for Faf to just pull it down the leg side and send it across the fine leg fence. |
| 30.6 : L Kumara to Plessis, Full toss speared outside off, mistimed to the mid off fielder and that will be the end of the over. |
| 31.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Good length ball aiming the top of off stump, Elgar places himself behind the line of the delivery and blocks it out with a straight blade. |
| 31.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, FOUR! That is a sensational shot from Dean Elgar. Leans into the full ball, presents the full face of the bat and drives it back past mid off. Leaves the fielder there no chance as the ball runs away to the boundary line. Beautifully played. |
| 31.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Lakmal has a change of angle and comes from around the wicket, angles in a fuller ball on off, it's played back down the track in the direction of the bowler. |
| 31.4 : S Lakmal to D Elgar, Another one which is pitched right up there, it's outside off, Elgar walks across and drives it to mid off. |
| 31.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, On a fullish length, just around off, blocked. |
| 31.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Bat-pad but there's no short leg in place. Elgar finds himself to be a lucky man. It squirted up and was in the air for quite a while but there was nobody there. A single is taken to end the over. |
| NUWAN PRADEEP into the attack now. |
| 32.1 : N Pradeep to Elgar, FOUR! Length ball outside off, Elgar just opens the face of the bat and runs it down to third man. Plays it fine enough and he'll comfortably get a boundary. Brings up his fifty with that and it's a hard-fought one. Well done, lad. |
| 0.0 : 5th Test fifty for Dean Elgar! |
| 32.2 : N Pradeep to Elgar, On a good length and outside off, left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 32.3 : N Pradeep to Elgar, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 32.4 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Wide outside off once more, left alone on consecutive occasions. |
| 32.5 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Third one in a row. Another one outside off, another leave. |
| 32.6 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Finally gets him to play at it as he bowls this quite close to the off stump, gets it to angle in and forces Elgar to block it out. |
| ANGELO MATHEWS is back on to bowl. |
| 33.1 : A Mathews to Plessis, Fractionally ahead of a length, outside off, that one remained untouched. |
| 33.2 : A Mathews to Plessis, Further wide outside off, the bat is withdrawn and the ball is left alone. |
| 33.3 : A Mathews to Plessis, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 33.4 : A Mathews to Plessis, Length ball outside off, Faf chooses to leave the ball alone and lets it through. |
| 33.5 : A Mathews to Plessis, Similar ball, same result. |
| 33.6 : A Mathews to Plessis, Wide outside off, another leave to end the over. |
| 34.1 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Pradeep continues from around the wicket and bowls a length ball which is well outside off, Dean Elgar has nothing to do with that. |
| 34.2 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Full ball aiming the base of off stump, Dean comes ahead and does well to keep it out on the off side. |
| 34.3 : N Pradeep to Elgar, This one just straightens up a touch. It's on a full length around off, angling in first then just getting straight. Goes off the outer half of Dean's bat and rolls a bit square towards point. |
| 34.4 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Good length delivery very close to off, with an open-faced blade it dabbed away towards point. |
| 34.5 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Angling in on middle and off, on a fuller length once more, it's worked in front of mid-wicket. No run taken. |
| 34.6 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Outside off, it's punched straight to the cover fielder. Dot ball to end the over. |
| 35.1 : A Mathews to Plessis, Great effort from the fielder there. Kaushal Silva the man and he does extremely well. Dives full stretch to his right as Faf punches it firmly off the back foot. Saves vital runs for his side. |
| 35.2 : A Mathews to Plessis, Length ball outside off, du Plessis doesn't get tempted and makes sure not to do anything rash. He lets it be. |
| 35.3 : A Mathews to Plessis, Better line, just around off, blocked. |
| 35.4 : A Mathews to Plessis, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 35.5 : A Mathews to Plessis, Replica of the previous delivery. |
| 35.6 : A Mathews to Plessis, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 36.1 : N Pradeep to Elgar, That's beautiful from Pradeep. He gets this to slant in, then straighten up. Squares up Elgar and beats the outside edge. Lovely piece of bowling. |
| 36.2 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Another excellent delivery. Once again gets it to straighten up on command and almost takes the edge. Elgar needs to be more careful here. |
| 36.3 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Full and swinging away outside off, Dean reaches out to it and looks to drives it through the covers but is unable to make any connection. |
| 36.4 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Arrowed in full outside off, it's driven back down the track for a single. |
| 36.5 : N Pradeep to Plessis, This length ball outside off is left alone. |
| 36.6 : N Pradeep to Plessis, FOUR! Shot. He's latched onto that one in a flash. Back of a length around off, Faf du Plessis picks up the length early, rocks back in a jiffy and muscles the pull over mid-wicket. Comfortably gets it across the ropes and that will be a boundary. |
| 37.1 : A Mathews to Elgar, Tad too straight from Mathews and Elgar brings his wrists into play. Tucks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single. |
| 37.2 : A Mathews to Plessis, Very close to the off stump, shaping in a touch just outside off, du Plessis makes a brave leave. |
| 37.3 : A Mathews to Plessis, Good length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 37.4 : A Mathews to Plessis, Well outside off, Faf shoulders his arms once more. |
| 37.5 : A Mathews to Plessis, Back of a length outside off, played to point for no run. |
| 37.6 : A Mathews to Plessis, Mathews makes good use of his crease. Comes from wide of the crease and angles it in, straightens up and Faf is beaten as he looks to tamely push it from inside the line. |
| 38.1 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Coming in on middle and leg, the left-hander clips this behind square on the leg side for an easy single. |
| 38.2 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Good leave from Faf du Plessis. It's on a fuller length outside off but he knows where his stumps are and lets the ball through. |
| 38.3 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Tad fullish in length and outside off, it's kept out off the front foot and into the track ahead. |
| 38.4 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Another one fired right up there, it's hit straight back down the track. Not enough power behind it to beat the two fielders. |
| 38.5 : N Pradeep to Plessis, FOUR! Beautiful placement. Back of a length outside off, du Plessis off his back foot offers a solid punch. Pierces the gap through the covers and that will be a boundary. |
| 38.6 : Pradeep to Plessis, OOohhhh..... That must have stung. Jagged back in sharply and catches Faf right in the box. He immediately sits down and starts his breathing exercises. Nice and slow, Faf. Nice and slow. |
| 39.1 : A Mathews to Elgar, Elgar is having no trouble keeping the scoreboard ticking here. He just turns this through square leg for a run. |
| 39.2 : A Mathews to Plessis, Outside off, and to nobody's surprise, it's left alone. |
| 39.3 : A Mathews to Plessis, Same thing that's happened on the previous delivery. Not much movement on it and it's left alone. |
| 39.4 : A Mathews to Plessis, Full on off, the bat twists a bit inside du Plessis' hands as he drives this towards mid on. The fielder makes a dive to his left and saves runs for his team. Keeps the batsmen to just one. |
| 39.5 : A Mathews to Elgar, Slants this across the batsman, the keeper collects it comfortably. |
| 39.6 : A Mathews to Elgar, Full and too straight, looks to flick it fine down the leg side but misses. No run taken. |
| Drinks are on the field now! |
| LAHIRU KUMARA is brought back into the attack. |
| 40.1 : L Kumara to du Plessis, Short of a length and into the body, Faf du Plessis rocks onto his back foot and pulls it along the ground through to deep mid-wicket for a comfortable single. |
| 40.2 : L Kumara to Elgar, Pitched on a length, just outside off, Elgar has to lean ahead and keep it down onto the track. |
| 40.3 : L Kumara to Elgar, Length ball aiming the top of off stump, Elgar gives it the full swing of the bat and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one. That ball kept a little low as well. |
| 40.4 : L Kumara to Plessis, Another one on the shorter side, on middle and off, it's pulled through backward square leg by Faf du Plessis and hence, two runs are taken. |
| 40.5 : L Kumara to Plessis, Back of a length just around off, blocked. |
| 40.6 : L Kumara to Plessis, Angling in on the hips, once again there isn't much on that occasion, du Plessis has no problem hopping across and working it through mid-wicket for one run. |
| RANGANA HERATH is finally introduced into the bowling attack. He has a slip and a short leg in place... |
| 41.1 : R Herath to Plessis, Starts off from around the wicket and loops it up on off, there's some dip on it as well as Faf du Plessis pushes it to short cover. |
| 41.2 : R Herath to Plessis, Floats this one up nicely around off, gives it plenty of air, it's once again played to short cover. |
| 41.3 : R Herath to Plessis, Tossed up by Herath, around off, it's driven back down to long off for a single. |
| 50-run stand between Elgar and du Plessis! |
| 41.4 : R Herath to Elgar, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 41.5 : R Herath to Plessis, Faf gets to the pitch of the delivery and pushes it away on the off side. |
| 41.6 : R Herath to Plessis, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 2 runs off the first Rangana Herath over of this Test match. |
| 42.1 : L Kumara to Elgar, Length ball slanting across, Elgar does well to play that with soft hands and that saves him. The ball takes the edge and falls well short of the second slip fielder. It goes through him and so, the batsmen take a single. |
| 42.2 : L Kumara to Plessis, Angling in on the hips, it's glanced through the square leg region for a couple of runs. There was a big gap there and Faf quickly called for the second. Good running between the wickets. |
| 42.3 : L Kumara to Plessis, Yorker outside off, du Plessis looks to squeeze it out but the cannot put bat on ball. It goes straight into the keeper's gloves. |
| 42.4 : L Kumara to Plessis, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 42.5 : L Kumara to Plessis, On the stumps, du Plessis just works this off his pads and flicks it on the leg side for one. |
| 42.6 : L Kumara to Elgar, A short delivery which has been pulled away. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 43.1 : R Herath to Elgar, Loopy and fullish in length around off, Dean comes forward and smothers the spin. |
| 43.2 : R Herath to Elgar, Turning in on middle and off, blocked comfortably. |
| 43.3 : R Herath to Elgar, Gives this some decent air and floats it up to Dean Elgar, the southpaw with a closed face works it to mid-wicket. |
| 43.4 : R Herath to Elgar, Works it towards mid-wicket again but will get a run this time. |
| 43.5 : R Herath to Plessis, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 43.6 : R Herath to Plessis, Rangi fielding like he's still in his 20s. Faf steps out and drives the full ball back in his direction. Herath dives low to his right and gets a hand to it which stops the ball from going past him. Excellent stuff. |
| 44.1 : L Kumara to Elgar, Full ball around off, driven to mid on. |
| 44.2 : L Kumara to Elgar, FOUR! Kumara has a change of angle and comes from around the wicket, bowls a back of a length ball around off, there isn't much bounce there and it comes at a comfortable height to Dean Elgar. He camps back and pulls it powerfully through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 44.3 : L Kumara to Elgar, Fuller length ball on middle and off, it's driven down the ground for a single. There was a bit of confusion between the South African pair initially, but they completed the run comfortably in the end. |
| 44.4 : L Kumara to Plessis, Not much movement, on the stumps and a bit straight, it's flicked to the mid-wicket region for a single. |
| 44.5 : L Kumara to Elgar, Length ball around off, Elgar gets an inside edge onto his pads as he attempts to play at that. |
| 44.6 : L Kumara to Elgar, Wide! It's banged in short but it's too short, wide signalled by the umpire. |
| L Kumara to Elgar, Short of a length and going down leg, left alone to end the over. |
| 45.1 : R Herath to Plessis, Some drift, some dip and a lot of flight, beautiful from Rangi as he tosses this up, it's driven straight to the cover fielder. |
| 45.2 : R Herath to Plessis, Full and flighted a lot once more, on the stumps this time, Faf du Plessis comes ahead and smothers the ball in its tracks. |
| 45.3 : R Herath to Plessis, Makes good use of his feet here, Faf. Gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it. |
| 45.4 : R Herath to Plessis, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 45.5 : R Herath to Plessis, Floated on a driving length, on middle and off, it's kept out off the front foot. |
| 45.6 : R Herath to Plessis, Loopy and fullish in length, around off, defended. |
| NUWAN PRADEEP is back on for another spell. |
| 46.1 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Length delivery around off, Elgar gets forward and with the full face of the bat blocks it in front of covers. |
| 46.2 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Dean Elgar plays this with soft hands. Defends this length ball which is angling in to him to the left of Nuwan Pradeep. |
| 46.3 : N Pradeep to Elgar, On a nice length and around off, it's left alone of the keeper to collect. |
| 46.4 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Dean Elgar defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 46.5 : N Pradeep to Elgar, FOUR! That's a sumptuous shot! It's full and wide outside off, Elgar, with excellent body balance, leans into the drive and caresses it through the gap in the covers. The placement and the timing are spot on as the ball rockets to the fence. He's been in good touch all day. |
| 46.6 : N Pradeep to Elgar, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 47.1 : R Herath to Plessis, DROPPED! Oh my word, Tharanaga. You're not going to get an easy catch than that. Should have taken it. Costly one to drop. Herath from around the wicket loops it up around off, du Plessis dances down the wicket and drives this on the up towards mid off. It's in the air for a good while and flying towards Upul. He gets to his right, crouches low and fumbles the simplest of takes. Dear, oh dear.... |
| 47.2 : R Herath to Plessis, Full on the stumps, it's driven straight back to the bowler. |
| 47.3 : R Herath to du Plessis, Floated ball outside off, du Plessis pushes it to the cover region for no run. |
| 47.4 : R Herath to du Plessis, Faf makes good use of his feet and gets to the pitch, works it to the mid on region for a run. |
| 47.5 : R Herath to Elgar, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 47.6 : R Herath to Elgar, Rangana Hearth gives this some decent flight, keeps tossing it up there. Elgar clips it to mid-wicket. End of the over. |
| 48.1 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Good length delivery outside off, the South African captain keeps the bat close to him and doesn't bother at it. |
| 48.2 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Stays right behind the line of this length delivery and blocks it out. |
| 48.3 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Outside off, a solid leave by Faf du Plessis. |
| 48.4 : N Pradeep to Plessis, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 48.5 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Back of a length delivery outside off, with an open face Faf dabs it towards gully and picks up a single. |
| 48.6 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Slightly fuller than a length, around off, pushed to the cover region. Dot ball. |
| 49.1 : R Herath to du Plessis, Rangi continues being brave and tosses it up on the stumps, it's eased back down the ground towards mid on for a single. |
| 49.2 : R Herath to Elgar, This time Dean pushes this towards long on for one. |
| 49.3 : R Herath to du Plessis, Full and pitched outside off, du Plessis pushes it to covers and sets off for a run. He gets to the other end as there is a direct hit at the bowler's end. It ricochets off the stumps and this lets the batsmen take another run. |
| 49.4 : R Herath to Plessis, Tossed up outside off, Faf du Plessis drives this wide of mid off and runs to the other end to complete the single. |
| 49.5 : R Herath to Elgar, Dipping in on the left-hander, he hits it straight back to Rangi. |
| 49.6 : R Herath to Elgar, Loopy and fullish in length, just around off, Dean Elgar leans across and works it to mid-wicket. |
| 50.1 : N Pradeep to Plessis, On a good length wide outside off, left alone. |
| 50.2 : N Pradeep to Plessis, This one comes in to the right-hander, du Plessis works it with the angle through square leg for a single. |
| 50.3 : N Pradeep to Elgar, That is a nice lifter. Definitely on the ball, not quite sure on the Sri Lankan moods and spirits. Pradeep comes from around the wicket, bowls this in the avenue of apprehension but Elgar is not apprehensive about it at all. Lets it go and it turns out to be a good decision as the ball comes in a long way and bounces high, with Kusal Mendis collecting it near his face. |
| 50.4 : N Pradeep to Elgar, There you go... so the ball bowled previously has caused some apprehension in Elgar's mind. This isa similar delivery, slightly wider, Dean has a poke at it but misses. |
| 50.5 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Outside off, left alone. |
| 50.6 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Full and around off, pushed towards mid on. |
| 51.1 : R Herath to Plessis, Full and outside off, Faf drives it through the covers but the fielder dives to his right and stops the ball. |
| 51.2 : R Herath to du Plessis, OUT! Edged and taken! So it has taken 6 overs for Herath to get a wicket. Tossed up outside off, Faf leans to drive but the ball spins away a touch, takes the outside edge and Angelo Mathews takes a simple catch. Looks like everyone is going through the motions out there. No one makes any reaction, then Faf hits the air with his bat and then Mathews starts to smile. End of a stubborn stand. The dropped catch does not count then. |
| TEMBA BAVUMA walks in at number 6, replacing Faf. |
| 51.3 : R Herath to Bavuma, Full and just around off, the arm ball, watchfully defended. |
| 51.4 : R Herath to Bavuma, Full and outside off, Bavuma drives this beautifully through the covers but the fielder dives to his left to stop. |
| 51.5 : R Herath to Bavuma, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 51.6 : R Herath to Bavuma, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| DHANANJAYA DE SILVA comes on to bowl now with 5 minutes to go to Tea. |
| 52.1 : de Silva to Elgar, FOUR! A short ball on middle, Elgar goes back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary! |
| 52.2 : de Silva to Elgar, On middle and leg, flicked straight to square leg. |
| 52.3 : de Silva to Elgar, Full and outside off, tapped away for a quick single. |
| 52.4 : de Silva to Bavuma, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| 52.5 : de Silva to Bavuma, Around off, defended from the crease. |
| 52.6 : de Silva to Bavuma, Full and outside off, Temba leans and looks to push, gets an outside edge to point. |
| 53.1 : R Herath to Elgar, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 53.2 : R Herath to Elgar, Goes wider outside off, Elgar reaches out and pads it away. |
| 53.3 : R Herath to Elgar, Goes back and across and works it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 53.4 : R Herath to Elgar, Full and around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket again. |
| 53.5 : R Herath to Elgar, Gets across, comes forward, leans and pushes it to mid on who is pretty deep. Does not take the single. |
| 53.6 : R Herath to Elgar, Goes back and works it towards square leg. TEA ON DAY 1! |
| 29 overs, 78 runs and just a single wicket - The session can be slightly tipped in South Africa's favour. But make no mistake, a quick wicket or two and the game can be changed in the Lankan's favour. As of now, though, the Proteas are in a comfortable position. Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar were playing well and dealing the Lankan bowlers with ease, but then in came Rangana Herath and broke the 76-run partnership. Elgar is still unbeaten after completing his fifty and is now partnered by Temba |
| The next session will depend on who does well in the initial hour. If Sri Lanka strike early, they can make their way back into this game and make the match real interesting. Otherwise, they run the risk of South Africa placing themselves in a commanding position. Should be a good one. Join us in a short while for the final session of the day. |
| ... DAY 1, SESSION 3 ... |
| We are back for the final session. DEAN ELGAR and TEMBA BAVUMA to continue their innings. Who will win the final session of the day and hold an edge? DHANANJAYA DE SILVA to continue his spell. Here we go... |
| 54.1 : de Silva to Bavuma, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 54.2 : de Silva to Elgar, Landed outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 54.3 : de Silva to Elgar, Comes down the track and goes over the top. Mistimes it but has enough to clear mid on. Nuwan Pradeep runs after it and saves the boundary. Two runs taken. |
| 54.4 : de Silva to Elgar, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 54.5 : de Silva to Bavuma, Full and outside off, watchfully kept out. |
| 54.6 : de Silva to T Bavuma, No run. |
| RANGANA HERATH to bowl from the other end. |
| 55.1 : R Herath to Elgar, No run. |
| 55.2 : R Herath to Elgar, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 55.3 : R Herath to Elgar, Full and outside off, pushed towards long on for a single. |
| 55.4 : R Herath to Bavuma, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 55.5 : R Herath to Bavuma, Outside off, punched off the back foot. |
| 55.6 : R Herath to Bavuma, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 56.1 : de Silva to Elgar, Full and outside off, watchfully dead-batted. |
| 56.2 : de Silva to Elgar, Full and outside off, Elgar looks to drive but misses. |
| 56.3 : de Silva to Elgar, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 56.4 : de Silva to Elgar, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot for a single. |
| 56.5 : de Silva to Bavuma, Full and around off, pushed towards mid on. |
| Comes over the wicket to the right-hander. |
| 56.6 : de Silva to Bavuma, Driven through mid on by the batsman. |
| 57.1 : R Herath to Elgar, Full and outside off, Elgar comes forward and works it towards long on for a single. We have seen that a few times from Elgar today. |
| 57.2 : R Herath to Bavuma, Tossed up outside off, driven through the covers for a run. |
| 57.3 : R Herath to Elgar, Goes back and punches it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 57.4 : R Herath to Elgar, Another easy single. Gets across and flicks it to deep mid-wicket. |
| 57.5 : R Herath to Bavuma, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 57.6 : R Herath to Bavuma, FOUR! Lovely shot. Tossed up on middle, Bavuma comes down the track and lofts it high over mid on. Nearly goes all the way. It is referred upstairs to check whether it is a six or a four and replays confirm that the ball bounced just before the ropes. |
| Change of pace. SURANGA LAKMAL comes on to bowl. |
| 58.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, That is a loose shot. Short and wide outside off, Elgar flays hard and misses. |
| 58.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Much better. The length and line are the same but this time Elgar waits for the ball to come to him and cuts it behind point for a single. |
| 58.3 : S Lakmal to Bavuma, On middle and leg, flicked towards mid-wicket. |
| 58.4 : S Lakmal to Bavuma, FOUR! GORGEOUS! Full and straight, Bavuma drives it straight down the ground. Well, not that straight, but good enough to beat mid on. Does not even bother to run. Moves to 10 from 20 balls with his second boundary. |
| 58.5 : S Lakmal to Bavuma, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 58.6 : S Lakmal to Bavuma, Goes back in his crease and blocks. |
| 59.1 : R Herath to Elgar, Full and outside off, Elgar comes down the track and flicks it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 59.2 : R Herath to Elgar, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 59.3 : R Herath to Elgar, Landed on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 59.4 : R Herath to Bavuma, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 59.5 : R Herath to Bavuma, Full and just outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 59.6 : R Herath to Bavuma, Short and outside off, Bavuma runs it down to backward point. |
| LAHIRU KUMARA replaces Lakmal after just one over. Might be a change of ends for the latter. |
| 60.1 : L Kumara to Elgar, Around off and outside, Elgar works it wide of mid on. Angelo Mathews jogs after it and the batsmen return for the second. |
| 60.2 : L Kumara to D Elgar, On a good length outside off, Dean looks to play it with a straight bat but gets an outside edge through point. A run taken. |
| 60.3 : L Kumara to Bavuma, Outside off, left alone. |
| 60.4 : L Kumara to Bavuma, Goes back in his crease and defends. |
| 60.5 : L Kumara to Bavuma, OUT! Taken in the deep! Kumara has his third! Excellent bowling. He tests Bavuma with the short ball and the batsman is not too comfortable with it. The ball is not that fast, just at 131.1 kph, but he is still hurried into the pull. He miscues it and the ball goes straight to deep backward square leg where Upul Tharanga takes it calmly and does not drop it this time. So Bavuma's failures continue. Has not quite been able to do much since his fifties in Perth and Hobart |
| QUINTON DE KOCK walks in at number 7, replacing Bavuma. |
| 60.6 : L Kumara to Kock, Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| So indeed it is a change of ends for Suranga Lakmal. |
| 61.1 : S Lakmal to Kock, Landed outside off, dabbed to third man for a couple. |
| 61.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 61.3 : S Lakmal to Kock, Outside off, cut straight to point. |
| 61.4 : S Lakmal to Kock, Wide outside off, short as well, de Kock flays a cut but misses. |
| 61.5 : S Lakmal to Kock, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 61.6 : S Lakmal to de Kock, Short and outside off, cut through point where the fielder dives to stop the ball. Just a single. |
| 62.1 : L Kumara to Kock, Outside off, cut straight to point. |
| 0.0 : LBW REVIEW! Kumara thinks he has Quinton de Kock plumb in front. It has not been given and Mathews takes the review. |
| 62.2 : Kumara to Kock, NOT OUT! Impact outside off. It seemed like that to the naked eye as well. On a good length outside off, angling in, de Kock walked across his stumps and looked to flick but missed the ball, getting hit on the pads. Kumara was confident he had his man and appealed for LBW but the umpire shook his head. Mathews took the review but Hawk Eye confirmed the impact. Waste of a review. The keeper should have prevented Mathews from going for the review. |
| 62.3 : L Kumara to Kock, Full and outside off, Quinton defends watchfully. |
| 62.4 : L Kumara to de Kock, A short ball around off, QdK pulls it nicely through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 62.5 : L Kumara to Elgar, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 62.6 : L Kumara to Elgar, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 63.1 : L Kumara to Kock, Landed on a good length around off, angling in, defended from the crease back to the bowler. |
| 63.2 : L Kumara to Kock, That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads. |
| 63.3 : L Kumara to Kock, Full and wide outside off, de Kock slaps it through point for a single. |
| 63.4 : L Kumara to D Elgar, A short ball around off, pulled straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 63.5 : L Kumara to Elgar, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 63.6 : L Kumara to Elgar, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 64.1 : L Kumara to Kock, A short delivery around off, pulled away for a single. |
| 64.2 : L Kumara to Elgar, On a length, around middle and off, worked through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. Moves into the 90s now. |
| 64.3 : L Kumara to Elgar, Works it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 64.4 : L Kumara to de Kock, Outside off, dabbed behind point for one. |
| 64.5 : L Kumara to Elgar, Full and wide outside off, Dean lets it through. |
| 64.6 : L Kumara to Elgar, A bouncer around middle and off, Dean ducks. |
| 65.1 : S Lakmal to Kock, Full and outside off, de Kock drives it nicely, on the up and starts to run but then realizes that he has hit it too well towards mid off and goes back. |
| 65.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, Landed outside off, Quinton looks to cut but gets a bottom edge towards point. |
| 65.3 : S Lakmal to Kock, Landed outside off, comes back in a long way, QdK lets it through. |
| 65.4 : S Lakmal to Kock, FOUR! Off the inside edge! This is because of the previous ball. That one came back in a long way and hence de Kock thought this one will too and pushed at it. The ball did not come in that much and went off the inside edge past the off stump to the fine leg fence. Moves to 12 with his first boundary. |
| 65.5 : S Lakmal to Kock, Short and outside off, slapped through the covers for a single. |
| 65.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Outside off, let through. |
| 66.1 : L Kumara to de Kock, EDGED, FOUR! Luck is not with Kumara, but why isn't there a third slip? he is bowling beautifully and deserves a packed slip cordon. Full and outside off, de Kock comes forward to drive but gets a thick outside edge which flies past second slip to the third man fence! |
| 66.2 : L Kumara to Kock, Outside off, a play and a miss. |
| 66.3 : L Kumara to Kock, Outside off, steered behind point for a single. |
| 66.4 : L Kumara to Elgar, Outside off, pushed through the covers for a couple. |
| 66.5 : L Kumara to Elgar, Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single. |
| 66.6 : L Kumara to de Kock, FOUR. |
| DHANANJAYA DE SILVA is back on. |
| 67.1 : de Silva to Elgar, No run. |
| 67.2 : de Silva to Elgar, Full and outside off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 67.3 : de Silva to Elgar, Around off, worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 67.4 : de Silva to Kock, This is just outside off, de Kock comes forward and defends. |
| 67.5 : de Silva to Kock, FOUR! GLORIOUS! That is a top quality shot. Flighted outside off, de Kock steps down the wicket and drives it all along the ground through the covers for a boundary. 200 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA! The stand moves to 33 from 42 balls. |
| 67.6 : de Silva to Kock, Comes down the track again but is not quite to the pitch of the ball and looks to defend. Gets an inside edge back to the bowler. |
| NUWAN PRADEEP is back on as well. |
| 68.1 : N Pradeep to Elgar, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 68.2 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Outside off, left alone. |
| 68.3 : N Pradeep to Elgar, On a good length around off, defended watchfully. |
| 68.4 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Full and outside off, Elgar pushes it wide of mid off and takes a single to move to 98. |
| 68.5 : N Pradeep to Kock, Outside off, flayed through the covers for a single. |
| 68.6 : N Pradeep to Elgar, FOUR. |
| 6TH Test ton for Elgar, 2nd against Sri Lanka. |
| 69.1 : de Silva to Kock, 1 run. |
| 69.2 : de Silva to Elgar, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 69.3 : de Silva to Elgar, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 69.4 : de Silva to Elgar, Outside off, another watchful block. |
| 69.5 : de Silva to Elgar, Pushes this in front of point and takes a run. |
| 69.6 : de Silva to de Kock, Drives this through the covers for a run. |
| 70.1 : N Pradeep to Kock, Flicks this through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 70.2 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 70.3 : N Pradeep to Elgar, The batsman has punched that ball through the off side. |
| 70.4 : N Pradeep to Elgar, On a good length around middle, angling in, worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| Oh dear... this is not looking good. NUWAN PRADEEP IS WALKING OFF. After bowling that last ball, he had a chat with his skipper and then started to go off. Not quite sure what is the issue, because he seems to be fine. Might be a niggle somewhere. |
| RANGANA HERATH it will be to bowl the remaining deliveries of this over. |
| 70.5 : R Herath to Kock, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single. |
| 70.6 : R Herath to Elgar, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket. |
| 71.1 : de Silva to Kock, No run. |
| 71.2 : de Silva to Kock, Full and down the leg side, de Kock looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. |
| 71.3 : de Silva to Kock, Works it through backward square leg for a single. |
| 71.4 : de Silva to Elgar, Outside off, pushed through the covers for a run. |
| 71.5 : de Silva to Kock, Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 50-run stand is up in 66 balls! |
| 71.6 : de Silva to D Elgar, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 72.1 : R Herath to Kock, The batsman plays the square cut. They manage to come back for the second. |
| 72.2 : R Herath to Kock, Full and wide outside off, de Kock comes forward and drives it through the covers for a single. |
| 72.3 : R Herath to Elgar, Landed outside off, pushed down to long on for a run. |
| 72.4 : R Herath to Kock, Full and outside off, defended watchfully back to the bowler. |
| 72.5 : R Herath to Kock, Outside off, Quinton goes back and pushes it to the off side. |
| 72.6 : R Herath to de Kock, Short and outside off, QdK goes back again and this time cuts it firmly through the covers for one. |
| DRINKS BREAK. |
| LAHIRU KUMARA is back on. |
| 73.1 : L Kumara to Kock, On a good length around off, de Kock misses his tuck and is hit on the groin. |
| 73.2 : L Kumara to Kock, Works this through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 73.3 : L Kumara to Elgar, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 73.4 : L Kumara to Elgar, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 73.5 : L Kumara to D Elgar, WIDE. A bouncer on middle and off, Elgar watches it sail over his head. Wide signalled. |
| L Kumara to Elgar, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 73.6 : L Kumara to Kock, The batsman has played it to the point region for a single. |
| 74.1 : R Herath to Kock, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 74.2 : R Herath to Kock, Tossed up a bit, de Kock comes forward and flicks it beautifully but straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 74.3 : R Herath to de Kock, Stays inside the line of this one and drives it inside out through the covers. Three fielders converge - deep point, sweeper cover and a man running back from cover. The last man gets to the ball and the batsmen take a couple. De Kock moves to 41 from 48 balls. 1000 TEST RUNS FOR QUINTON DE KOCK! |
| 74.4 : R Herath to Kock, Around off, Quinton goes back and works it towards square leg. |
| 74.5 : R Herath to de Kock, Comes forward this time and pushes it towards long on for a run. |
| 74.6 : R Herath to Elgar, Full and outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 75.1 : L Kumara to Kock, Full and around off, flicked to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 75.2 : L Kumara to Elgar, Outside off, Elgar presses forward and gets this past the man at gully for a run. |
| 75.3 : L Kumara to Kock, WIDE. A short ball outside off, de Kock looks to play the upper cut but misses. Wided by the umpire. |
| L Kumara to Kock, Played to the point region by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 75.4 : L Kumara to D Elgar, FOUR! BLAST! A short ball outside off, Elgar pulls it through mid-wicket and gets a boundary! |
| 75.5 : L Kumara to Elgar, FOUR! And again! Elgar is feasting now. Gets another long hop and he gets into position quickly, pulling this through mid-wicket for consecutive boundaries. |
| 75.6 : L Kumara to Elgar, Works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 76.1 : R Herath to Elgar, Full and down the leg side, Elgar leans and works it through fine leg for a single. |
| 76.2 : R Herath to Kock, Around leg, de Kock looks to paddle but misses and is hit on the pads. |
| 76.3 : R Herath to Kock, Full on leg, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 76.4 : R Herath to Kock, Similar ball, on middle stumps this time, flicked to short mid-wicket again. |
| 76.5 : R Herath to Kock, Goes inside out and drives but finds short cover. |
| 76.6 : R Herath to Kock, Pushes this down to long on for a single. |
| DHANANJAYA DE SILVA is back on. The second new ball is around the corner. |
| 77.1 : de Silva to de Kock, Short and outside off, cut straight to cover. |
| 77.2 : de Silva to de Kock, A full toss on middle, de Kock comes forward and eases this through mid on for a single. |
| 77.3 : de Silva to Elgar, Full and straight, watchfully defended. |
| 77.4 : de Silva to D Elgar, A bit of flight outside off, Elgar leans and drives it towards cover. |
| 77.5 : de Silva to Elgar, Landed outside off, Dean shoulders arms and the ball spins and bounces away. |
| 77.6 : de Silva to Elgar, Slightly short outside off, punched through the covers for a run. |
| 78.1 : R Herath to Elgar, Full and outside off, defended with a lunge. |
| 78.2 : R Herath to Elgar, On middle this time, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 78.3 : R Herath to Kock, Full and down the leg side, de Kock misses his paddle. |
| 78.4 : R Herath to Kock, FOUR! Half century for de Kock. Another quality innings. And at a good pace too. In just 61 balls. Short and outside of,f de Kock goes back in a flash and runs it down late past backward point for a boundary! |
| 8th Test Fifty for Quinton de Kock, 2nd vs Sri Lanka! |
| 78.5 : R Herath to Kock, Full on middle, flicked straight to mid-wicket. |
| 78.6 : R Herath to Kock, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| 79.1 : de Silva to D Elgar, Full and outside off, driven to long off for a single. |
| 79.2 : de Silva to Kock, Outside off, de Kock goes inside of the line and drives it uppishly but it lands well short of the man at short cover. |
| 79.3 : de Silva to Kock, Full and outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 79.4 : Silva to de Kock, TOP EDGE, SAFE! A short ball on middle, de Kock looks to pull but gets a top edge. The ball goes high in the air but lands right in between mid-wicket, deep mid-wicket and deep square leg! A single taken. |
| 79.5 : de Silva to Elgar, Pushes this through mid on for a single. |
| 79.6 : de Silva to Kock, FOUR! Full and outside off, de Kock leans and drives it through the covers for a boundary! |
| THE SECOND NEW BALL IS TAKEN. |
| SURANGA LAKMAL will bowl first with the new cherry. |
| 80.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, On a good length outside off, Elgar feels for it but gets beaten. |
| 80.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Down the leg side, worked behind square leg for a couple. |
| 80.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Outside off, left alone. |
| 80.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, One more leave outside off. |
| 80.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 80.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, This is full and straight, Elgar looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. |
| Interesting. ANGELO MATHEWS will share the new ball with Lakmal. Where is Kumara? |
| 81.1 : A Mathews to Kock, On middle and leg, worked wide of mid on for a single. |
| 81.2 : A Mathews to Elgar, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 81.3 : A Mathews to de Kock, Short and outside off, cut through point for a run. |
| 81.4 : A Mathews to Elgar, Full and outside off, defended to the off side. |
| 81.5 : A Mathews to Elgar, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 81.6 : A Mathews to Elgar, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| A bit of a break in play. Elgar is getting his left elbow treated by the physio. Seems to be a bit of a cramp. Seems okay now. |
| 82.1 : S Lakmal to Kock, On a good length around middle and leg, de Kock looks to flick but gets a leading edge which does not carry to a diving Kaushal Silva at gully. |
| 82.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, Outside off, left alone. |
| 82.3 : S Lakmal to Kock, Full and outside off, driven down the ground for a single. |
| 82.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, FOUR! HANDSOME! Full and outside off, Elgar drives this straight down the ground and finds the boundary! |
| 82.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 82.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Outside off, left alone. |
| 83.1 : A Mathews to Kock, On a good length outside off, de Kock looks to cut but gets a bottom edge onto his pads. |
| 83.2 : A Mathews to Kock, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 83.3 : A Mathews to Kock, One more leave outside off. |
| De Kock has been adjudged LBW! He immediately takes the review. |
| 83.4 : A Mathews to Kock, NOT OUT! That is missing leg stump! On a good length around off, coming back in, de Kock misses his flick and is hit on the pads. Mathews appeals and umpire Aleem Dar raises his finger! Elgar immediately indicates to de Kock that it is going down and de Kock reviews it. Hawk Eye vindicates that call. Excellent review. After his follow-through, it did seem that de Kock was plumb because he fell over a little. |
| 83.5 : A Mathews to Kock, Outside off, Quinton taps this behind point for a quick single. |
| 83.6 : A Mathews to Elgar, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 84.1 : S Lakmal to Kock, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 0.0 : We are past the scheduled close of play. It has been extended to accommodate these remaining 6 overs. |
| 84.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, Punches the ball through point for a single. |
| 84.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Outside off, Elgar looks to defend but the ball goes away off the seam, squaring him up and beating the outside edge. |
| 84.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, OUT! Gone this time! Lakmal continues his impressive form this season. On a good length around off, gets this one to move away as well, Elgar pushes at it and this time the ball takes the outside edge. Simple catch for Mendis and that ends a wonderful innings. |
| KYLE ABBOTT walks in at number 8, replacing Elgar. |
| 84.5 : S Lakmal to Abbott, Gets across his stumps and misses a straight ball, getting hit on the pads. Lakmal starts to appeal but then bails out. Going down the leg side. |
| 84.6 : S Lakmal to Kock, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 85.1 : A Mathews to Abbott, On a length and outside off, shapes away a touch. Abbott comes forward to block it but is beaten all ends up. |
| 85.2 : A Mathews to Abbott, Kyle moved a long way across there. If he missed that it would have been a really close LBW shout. Manges to clip it towards fine leg for a couple. |
| 85.3 : A Mathews to Abbott, Comes forward to the fullish delivery and defends it to the leg side. |
| 85.4 : A Mathews to Abbott, HE IS LIVING DANGEROUSLY HERE! Bowls a length delivery outside off, Kyle plants his front foot across and looks to leave it initially but the ball hits the bottom half of his bat and rolls towards the slip cordon. |
| 85.5 : A Mathews to Abbott, Bends low to the full length ball on off and blocks it into the ground. |
| 85.6 : A Mathews to Abbott, Full delivery outside off, shaping away. Abbott doesn't flirt with that one. |
| 86.1 : S Lakmal to de Kock, Bowls a fullish delivery outside off, angling away. Quinton comes forward and defends it with an angled blade towards gully. |
| 86.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, Walks down the pitch to the length delivery and works it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 86.3 : S Lakmal to Abbott, Bowls a full length delivery on off, Kyle bends low and keeps it out watchfully. |
| 86.4 : S Lakmal to Abbott, On a length sliding in on middle and leg, tucked nicely to deep mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 86.5 : S Lakmal to Abbott, OOH.. THAT MISSED THE OFF POLE BY A WHISKER! Bowls it on a length outside off, shaping in considerably. Abbott covers his off pole and sees the ball whiz past his stumps. |
| 86.6 : S Lakmal to Abbott, Fuller length ball outside off, swinging away. Abbott comes forward to defend but is beaten by the away movement. |
| 87.1 : A Mathews to Kock, FOUR! DELIGHTFUL! Bowls a length delivery on the stumps, de Kock walks down and clips it beautifully through mid-wicket and the ball races to the fence. |
| 87.2 : A Mathews to Kock, Full and outside off, de Kock waits for the ball to come to him and guides it behind point for a couple. |
| 87.3 : A Mathews to Kock, Comes around the wicket, bowls it outside off, Quinton defends. |
| 87.4 : A Mathews to Kock, Short and outside off, cut straight to point. |
| 87.5 : A Mathews to Kock, Full and outside off, pushed straight to mid off. |
| Review time again. Mathews reckons he has de Kock LBW. That looks to be too high though. |
| 87.6 : A Mathews to Kock, NOT OUT. That is a sorry review. Looked not out to the naked eye and stays not out as well. |
| 88.1 : S Lakmal to Abbott, No run. |
| 88.2 : S Lakmal to Abbott, INSIDE EDGE, FOUR! Lucky Abbott. Lakmal pitches this on a good length outside off, Abbott looks to defend but then decides to let it go. Is late and the ball goes off the inside edge, past the off stump and into the fine leg fence. |
| 88.3 : S Lakmal to Abbott, Full and just outside off, Kyle is late in getting his bat down again and defends awkwardly. |
| 88.4 : S Lakmal to Abbott, Full and outside off, KA gets his bat behind the pad, gets outside off and defends. |
| 88.5 : S Lakmal to Abbott, Better. The line is on the stumps and immediately Abbott adjusts, getting his bat down quickly to block. |
| 88.6 : S Lakmal to Abbott, Landed wide outside off, swinging away, left alone. |
| LAHIRU KUMARA to bowl the final over of the day. Can he get de Kock? |
| 89.1 : L Kumara to Kock, On a good length outside off, defended beside the pitch. |
| 89.2 : L Kumara to Kock, Down the leg side, tucked through fine leg for a single. That should be the end of the day for de Kock. |
| 89.3 : L Kumara to Abbott, Slightly fuller in length, outside off, coming in, left alone on length. |
| 89.4 : L Kumara to Abbott, FOUR! LOVELY! Not a bad shot at the fag end of the day! Full and outside off, Abbott pushes this down the ground and gets a boundary through mid off! |
| 89.5 : L Kumara to Abbott, Predictable retaliation. A bouncer around middle and off, Kyle ducks. |
| Final ball of the day then... |
| 89.6 : L Kumara to Abbott, FOUR! A fine shot to end the day! Full on middle and off, Abbott clips this through wide mid on and ends the day in style! STUMPS ON DAY 1! |
| End of a fine day of cricket. Sri Lanka vindicated their decision to bowl first by nipping out three quick wickets in the morning, but then the 76-run stand between Dean Elgar and Faf du Plessis stalled them. |
| It seemed like the Lankans had gone flat in the afternoon. Nothing was happening, till they found a way past Faf du Plessis and then Bavuma. But de Kock came in and started playing his shots from the word go. The pair of Elgar and de Kock added 103 in just 143 balls for the 6th wicket with de Kock scoring 60 of those. |
| The day has belonged to Dean Elgar. He survived an excellent spell of bowling from the Lankans in the morning, then built on his start to make sure he got a big one. He held one end, making it South Africa's day before getting dismissed in the fag end of the day. |
| A tough day for the Lankans. Lahiru Kumara was the standout bowler for them, picking up 3 wickets while Suranga Lakmal struck early with both the new balls. Mathews and Herath bowled economically but by no means were threatening. |
| That ends the opening day's play in the first Test of the new year. It has belonged to South Africa and they will be looking to build on the same, come Day 2. Can Sri Lanka come back hard and restrict the Proteas to 350, as they did on the second morning of the first Test? Or will the home side continue scoring runs quickly? De Kock was there then and he is here as well. Join us at 1400 IST (0830 GMT) to see how Day 2 unfolds. Before that, tomorrow, Australia and Pakistan start their third Test |
| ... DAY 2, SESSION 1 ... |
| Welcome to the 2nd day of the 2nd Test between the Protea and the Islanders. The visitors started the day brilliantly and won the first session but it was the hosts, who came out on top at the end of day's play courtesy of a century and half century from Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock respectively. The latter is still out there in the middle and if he add 100 runs more with the tail, South Africa would be in a position of real command. The Sri Lankan bowlers would look to spear through the last |
| The players are back out for the second day's play. QUINTON DE KOCK and KYLE ABBOTT will look to add some more runs on the overnight total. SURANGA LAKMAL to begin the proceedings of the day. It's very windy out there and the Lankans would look to make the use of these conditions to the fullest. |
| 90.1 : S Lakmal to Kock, FOUR! BEAUTIFUL START TO DAY 2! Full outside off, Quinton leans into the shot and drives beautifully through covers for a boundary. He just doesn't need time in the middle to settle in! |
| 90.2 : S Lakmal to de Kock, Length delivery wide outside off, QdK uses the width and cuts it through backward point for a single. |
| 90.3 : S Lakmal to Abbott, Length delivery angling in, flicked to mid-wicket. |
| 90.4 : S Lakmal to Abbott, Fuller on the stumps, almost a yorker, Abbott does well to block it. |
| 90.5 : S Lakmal to Abbott, Fullish delivery around off, Abbott presents a front foot defence. |
| 90.6 : S Lakmal to Abbott, In the corridor of uncertainty, Abbott covers his stumps and makes a watchful leave. |
| RANGANA HERATH to bowl from the other end! |
| 91.1 : R Herath to Kock, On middle and leg, turned to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 0.0 : A short leg is in place now for Abbott! |
| 91.2 : Herath to Abbott, OUT! RANGIII STRIKES! What a start by the visitors! Flatter delivery outside off, Abbott camps back to defend with the angle but the ball turns slightly away, enough to catch the outside edge of Abbott's bat and straight in the gloves of Chandimal behind the stumps. Aleem Dar has no doubts whatsoever and straightaway raises the finger. Abbott's short stint is over! |
| VERNON PHILANDER is the next man in! |
| 91.3 : R Herath to Philander, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 91.4 : R Herath to Philander, Tossed up around off, defended off the front foot. |
| 91.5 : R Herath to Philander, Fuller outside off, Philander prods forward in defence. |
| 91.6 : R Herath to Philander, Another front foot defence by Vernon to end the over! |
| 92.1 : S Lakmal to Kock, Full outside off, driven through covers for a brace. |
| 92.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, On the pads, worked down the leg side for a single. |
| 92.3 : S Lakmal to Philander, Length delivery angling in, defended off the back foot. |
| 92.4 : S Lakmal to Philander, Around off, VP defends it solidly. |
| 92.5 : S Lakmal to Philander, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 92.6 : S Lakmal to Philander, Length delivery, angling in, nips back in a touch, Philander is surprised by that and gets beaten. The ball hits the thigh pad and then goes to the slip cordon. |
| 93.1 : R Herath to Kock, Outside off, pushed to covers-point. |
| 93.2 : R Herath to Kock, FOUR! PUNCHED AWAY! Herath drags his length a touch back, de Kock goes back and punches through covers for a boundary. |
| 93.3 : R Herath to Kock, Full outside off, de Kock drives it straight to the man at covers. |
| 93.4 : R Herath to Kock, Tossed up outside off, spinning in, eased to covers. |
| 93.5 : R Herath to Kock, Spinning in from around off, played with the turn through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 93.6 : R Herath to Philander, Turn and bounce! Comes from around the wicket, lands the ball near middle and off, turns away with extra bounce, surprises Philander who looks to play it on the front foot and goes of the top part of the bat near the silly mid off region. |
| 94.1 : S Lakmal to Kock, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 94.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, Full on the pads, clipped through mid-wicket. De Kock is running hard and it pays off as the batsmen complete a couple. Good running! |
| 94.3 : S Lakmal to Kock, Length delivery, pushed from within the crease on the off side for a single. |
| 94.4 : S Lakmal to Philander, Outside off, left alone. |
| 94.5 : S Lakmal to Philander, Length delivery angling in, Philander plays it with soft hands off the back foot towards mid on and takes for a quick single. QdK is slow to react but in the end completes it. Philander is off the mark! |
| 94.6 : S Lakmal to Kock, Low bounce! Length delivery, angling across, QdK looks to defend it off the back foot but gets beaten as the ball keeps a touch low. |
| Silly point is in place along with short leg for Philander. |
| 95.1 : R Herath to Philander, Fuller outside off, eased to long on for a single. |
| 95.2 : R Herath to Kock, Short delivery outside off, spinning in, cut through backward point for a brace. |
| 95.3 : R Herath to Kock, Outside off, played to point. |
| 95.4 : R Herath to Kock, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 95.5 : R Herath to Kock, Tossed up outside off, spinning in, turned with the spin to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 95.6 : R Herath to Philander, Tossed up outside off, VP prods forward in defence. |
| 96.1 : S Lakmal to Kock, Length delivery on middle, angling across, taped back to the bowler. |
| 96.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, FOUR! DOWN THE GROUND! Full outside off, de Kock plants his front foot near the pitch of the ball and drives it straight down the ground, past the non-striker for a boundary. |
| 96.3 : S Lakmal to Kock, Play and a miss! Length delivery outside off, angling away. It's very wide but de Kock still goes after it, looks to slash it but misses. |
| 96.4 : S Lakmal to Kock, This time de Kock leaves the wide delivery wisely by taking a long step ahead. |
| 96.5 : S Lakmal to Kock, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 96.6 : S Lakmal to Kock, Length delivery outside off, played to point. |
| 97.1 : R Herath to Philander, Fuller on the stumps, flicked to mid-wicket. |
| 97.2 : R Herath to V Philander, Tossed up outside off, VP pushes it to mid off and takes off for a quick single. The mid off fielder has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. |
| 97.3 : R Herath to Kock, Outside leg, clipped off the pads to square leg for a single. |
| 97.4 : R Herath to Philander, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 97.5 : R Herath to Philander, Tossed up around off, Philander prods forward in defence. |
| 97.6 : R Herath to Philander, Bowls a touch quicker and lands it full on middle and leg, Vernon defends it with the angle. |
| First change in bowling for the day as LAHIRU KUMARA comes in to bowl. |
| 98.1 : L Kumara to Kock, From around the wicket hurls in a back of a length delivery, angling into the body, QdK gets on his toes and tucks it near backward square leg for a single. |
| 98.2 : L Kumara to Philander, Leg bye! Angling in, Philander looks to defend it by leaning ahead but misses it completely and gets hit on the thigh. There's a slight 'ooh' sound by the bowler as he beat the batsman in his defence but knew that the ball was going high. The ball then rolls over near cover-point and de Kock from the other end shows good awareness and takes a quick leg bye. Kumara is very lethal with these in swinging, angling in deliveries as seen from yesterday. |
| 98.3 : L Kumara to Kock, Short delivery outside off, nips away a touch after pitching, de Kock looks to slap it at first but then checks his shot and leaves it. |
| 98.4 : L Kumara to Kock, Length delivery, this time a little closer to the stumps, cut to point. |
| 98.5 : L Kumara to Kock, Full outside off, pushed to point. |
| 98.6 : L Kumara to Kock, Outside off, steered to deep point for a single. Moves to 95! |
| 99.1 : R Herath to Kock, Fuller on the pads, clipped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 99.2 : R Herath to Philander, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 99.3 : R Herath to Philander, Philander stays back and then defends the arm ball from within the crease. |
| 99.4 : R Herath to Philander, Flatter delivery, Vernon looks to defend it off the back foot but gets an inside edge and into the pads. |
| 99.5 : R Herath to Philander, Fuller on the pads, VP works it through forward square leg. De Kock wants a single but Philander sends him back. |
| 99.6 : R Herath to Philander, Darted in on middle, blocked out solidly. |
| 100.1 : L Kumara to de Kock, FOUR! LUCK FAVOURS THE BRAVE! Length delivery outside off, de Kock looks to cut it but gets a bottom edge past the stumps and to the fine leg fence for a boundary. That's century for de Kock and he celebrates by doing some head-banging. He is having time of his life! Take a bow QdK! |
| 0.0 : 3rd Test Century for Quinton de Kock! |
| 100.2 : L Kumara to Kock, Outside off, width on offer, punched to point for a single. |
| 100.3 : L Kumara to Philander, Wide! Banged in short, but it's too short and the umpire signals it as a wide. |
| L Kumara to Philander, On the pads, flicked away on the leg side for a single. |
| 100.4 : L Kumara to Kock, OUT! DE KOCK HAS TO WALK BACK! A little loss in concentration for de Kock but you can't take anything away from the delivery. Comes around the wicket, pitches it on a length outside off, de Kock looks to defend with the angle but the ball straightens a bit and catches the outside edge of and goes behind. Chandimal does really well to get low ahead and take the catch. The umpire have a discussion on whether the catch is clean and in the end they find it clean and don't f |
| KESHAV MAHARAJ walks in, replacing de Kock! |
| 100.5 : L Kumara to Maharaj, 1 run. |
| 100.6 : L Kumara to Philander, No run. |
| 101.1 : R Herath to Maharaj, 1 run. |
| 101.2 : R Herath to Philander, On the pads, worked on the leg side. |
| 101.3 : R Herath to Philander, Driven through mid-on by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 101.4 : R Herath to Maharaj, KM dances down the track and almost yorks himself but does well to dig it out back to the bowler. |
| 101.5 : R Herath to Maharaj, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 101.6 : R Herath to Maharaj, Fuller on the stumps, the batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 102.1 : L Kumara to Philander, Angling into the pads, Philander looks to play it with the angle but misses and gets hit high on the pads. |
| 102.2 : L Kumara to V Philander, Full around off, driven through mid off for a single. |
| 102.3 : L Kumara to Maharaj, Length delivery angling in, Maharaj looks to play it across the line but gets surprised by the inward movement of the ball but is lucky to have got an inside edge onto the pads and past short leg. The batsmen run through for a single. There's a slight appeal but it's turned down. |
| 102.4 : L Kumara to Philander, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 102.5 : L Kumara to Philander, Angling into the pads, clipped down the leg side for a single. |
| 102.6 : L Kumara to Maharaj, Played with the angle on the leg side. No runs taken! |
| 103.1 : R Herath to Philander, sliding into the pads, defended on the leg side. |
| 103.2 : R Herath to Philander, Outside off, keeps a touch low, Philander lest it go. |
| 103.3 : R Herath to Philander, short delivery outside off, Philander looks to cut it off the back foot but gets a bottom edge onto the pads. That could have been easily dragged on to the stumps. |
| 103.4 : R Herath to Philander, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 103.5 : R Herath to Philander, Full outside off, driven to mid off. |
| 103.6 : R Herath to Philander, Similar delivery and once again, Philander drives it to mid off. |
| Time for a drinks break! The visitors would be happier of the two going into the break as they sent both the overnight batsmen packing. They would looks to pick these remaining 2 wickets in quick succession now! |
| 104.1 : L Kumara to Maharaj, 1 run.Full outside off, driven straight back. Kumara gets hand to it which slows down the ball and allows the short mid off fielder to cut it out and give away only a single. |
| 104.2 : L Kumara to Philander, Length delivery outside off, gently taped through point for a single. |
| 104.3 : L Kumara to Maharaj, On a length around off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 104.4 : L Kumara to Maharaj, Angling down leg, Maharaj tucks it off his pads, past the diving short leg for a single. The plan almost worked! |
| 104.5 : L Kumara to Philander, Banged in short, Philander ducks under it! |
| 104.6 : L Kumara to Philander, Full outside off, VP pushes it single-handedly through covers for a single. |
| ANGELO MATHEWS replaces Herath! |
| 105.1 : A Mathews to Philander, Fullish delivery around off, driven to mid on. |
| 105.2 : A Mathews to Philander, Fullish delivery at 113.8 kps, Philander pokes at it and gets an outside edge along with ground to second slip. |
| 105.3 : A Mathews to Philander, Length delivery outside off, Philander defends it from within the crease to covers. |
| 105.4 : A Mathews to Philander, Length delivery outside off, VP punches it nicely off the back foot through covers for a brace. 350 up for SA! |
| 105.5 : A Mathews to Philander, Fuller length delivery outside off, pushed to covers. |
| 105.6 : A Mathews to Philander, Angling in, Philander prods forward in defence but gets off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket. |
| 106.1 : L Kumara to Maharaj, High full toss outside off, Maharaj punches it through covers. The slow outfiled doesn't allow the abll to reach the fence. The batsmen take three runs! |
| 106.2 : L Kumara to Philander, Length delivery outside off, run down towards gully where Kusal Mendis runs to his left, grabs the ball and aims at the striker's end but misses his target. A single is completed! |
| 106.3 : L Kumara to Maharaj, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 106.4 : L Kumara to Maharaj, FOUR! GOOD SHOT! On a length outside off, Maharaj stays in his crease and punches it through point for a boundary. Nice piece of timing on that! |
| Kumara is now coming around the wicket! |
| 106.5 : L Kumara to Maharaj, Back of a length delivery, angling across, KM rises with the ball and guides it in the backward point region for a quick single. |
| 106.6 : L Kumara to Philander, On a length around middle and leg, angling away, defended off the back foot. |
| 107.1 : A Mathews to Maharaj, Full outside off at 113.8 kph, Maharaj looks to drive it getting on one knee but misses as the ball goes from underneath the bat. Maharaj is frustrated with himself after playing that shot.No run. |
| 107.2 : A Mathews to Maharaj, Back of a length delivery, outside off, guided to backward point. |
| 107.3 : A Mathews to Maharaj, FOUR! Length delivery outside off, Keshav stays in his crease and punches it through cover-point for a boundary. 40th boundary of the innings! |
| 107.4 : A Mathews to Maharaj, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 107.5 : A Mathews to Maharaj, Down the leg side, KM looks to tickle it but misses. Good take by Chandimal behind the stumps, diving to his left. |
| 107.6 : A Mathews to Maharaj, Length delivery outside off, defended off the front foot. |
| SURANGA LAKMAL is back on! He is Mr. Reliable as said by Mr. Holding on air! |
| 108.1 : S Lakmal to Philander, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 108.2 : S Lakmal to Philander, Outside off, left alone! |
| 108.3 : S Lakmal to Philander, Length delivery angling in, Philander looks to play it across the line but gets a leading edge in the air and lands it near him. Lakmal looks to grab it on his follow through but can't reach near the ball. |
| 108.4 : S Lakmal to Philander, On the fuller side of the length, Lakmal presents a front foot defence. |
| 108.5 : S Lakmal to Philander, Philander covers his stumps, and defends with a straight bat. |
| 108.6 : S Lakmal to Philander, Outside off, defended to mid off. |
| 109.1 : A Mathews to Maharaj, Angling into the pads, Maharaj plays it near short mid-wicket and takes off for a quick single. Mathews goes running towards the ball and goes for a cheeky throw but ends up hitting himself. |
| 109.2 : A Mathews to Philander, Banged in short, VP ducks under it. |
| 109.3 : A Mathews to Philander, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 109.4 : A Mathews to Philander, FOUR! Fuller on the boots, clipped through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 109.5 : A Mathews to Philander, Length delivery outside off, Philander defends it straight back. |
| 109.6 : A Mathews to Philander, Fullish delivery outside off, Vernon plays it late to point. |
| 110.1 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, FOUR! Length delivery outside off, Maharaj opens the face of the bat and guides it through the gap between gully and the first skip for a boundary. |
| 110.2 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, Short delivery, pulled front of square on the leg side for a single. |
| 110.3 : S Lakmal to V Philander, Short outside off, Philander pulls it through to fine leg for a single. That made a sweet sound but it was straight to the man present there. |
| 110.4 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, Length delivery outside off, taped through point for a single. |
| 110.5 : S Lakmal to Philander, Angling into the pads, flicked through the leg side for a single. |
| After that pull shot, Maharaj was having a look at his bat and he now changes it. |
| 110.6 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, Full outside off, Maharaj prods forward and defends solidly from the middle of the bat to mid off. |
| LAHIRU KUMARA replaces Mathews! |
| 111.1 : L Kumara to Philander, OUT! 5-FER FOR KUMARA! Strikes with the first ball of the new spell! Full outside off, Philander looks to drive it on the up away from his body but the ball shapes away a touch after pitching and catches the outside edge and goes straight into the gloves of Chandimal. Dar raises his finger straightaway and Philander has to depart. Brilliant piece of bowling and also brilliant captaincy by Mathews to bring Kumara back on. |
| 0.0 : KAGISO RABADA is the last man in. |
| 111.2 : L Kumara to Rabada, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 111.3 : L Kumara to Rabada, Full outside off, driven through mid off for a couple. |
| 111.4 : L Kumara to Rabada, Kumara changes his angle, comes from over the wicket, places the square leg behind but bowls it back of a length outside off, angling away, Kagiso leaves it. |
| 111.5 : L Kumara to Rabada, Short delivery outside off, Rabada slashes it over cover-point. Lakmal in the deep chases it and stops the ball before fence with his boot. A brace taken! |
| 111.6 : L Kumara to Rabada, On the pads, worked down the leg side for a single. |
| RANGANA HERATH is back on! |
| 112.1 : R Herath to K Rabada, Outside off, Rabada prods forward in defence but gets an outside edge past first slip for a single. |
| 112.2 : R Herath to Maharaj, Spinning away from the right-hander, Maharaj guides it through to third man for a couple. |
| 112.3 : R Herath to K Maharaj, Full outside off, driven through mid off for a single. |
| 112.4 : R Herath to Rabada, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 112.5 : R Herath to Rabada, Rabada plays from inside the line, playing for the turn but it's a straighter one and goes past the outside edge. |
| 112.6 : R Herath to Rabada, The batsman has driven that ball straight back. |
| 113.1 : L Kumara to Maharaj, Length delivery, punched off the back foot through covers for a single. |
| 113.2 : L Kumara to Rabada, Full outside off, driven on the up to mid off. |
| 113.3 : L Kumara to Rabada, Length delivery, angling in, defended off the back foot. |
| 113.4 : L Kumara to Rabada, Banged in short, Rabada looks to hook it but misses as the ball goes quickly past him. |
| 113.5 : L Kumara to K Rabada, Short again, angling in, pulled into the ground near short mid-wicket. |
| 113.6 : L Kumara to Rabada, Back of a length delivery, angling in, defended from within the crease. |
| 114.1 : R Herath to Maharaj, On middle and leg, flicked on the leg side for a single. |
| 114.2 : R Herath to Rabada, Fuller on the stumps, driven to long on for a single. |
| 114.3 : R Herath to Maharaj, Tossed up delivery, driven straight back. Chandimal behind the stumps is excited and is the only one appealing but the umpires say not out and indicate that the ball has bumped. |
| 114.4 : R Herath to K Maharaj, Tossed up outside off, KM charges down and swings the bat hard, gets an inside edge which goes to the fine leg for a couple. |
| 114.5 : R Herath to Maharaj, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 114.6 : R Herath to Maharaj, Tossed up outside off, defended by proding forward. |
| 115.1 : L Kumara to Rabada, Length delivery outside off, Kagiso punches it through to deep point for a single. |
| 115.2 : L Kumara to Maharaj, Banged in short, Maharaj ducks under the ball and lets it sail through. |
| 115.3 : L Kumara to Maharaj, Back of a length delivery tapped through covers for a single. |
| 115.4 : L Kumara to Rabada, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 115.5 : L Kumara to Rabada, Short delivery down the leg, Rabada looks to pull it but misses and Chandimal collects it on the bounce. |
| 115.6 : L Kumara to Rabada, OUT! SOUTH AFRICA ARE BOWLED OUT FOR 392! Length delivery on middle and off, nips back in a touch. Rabada looks to play from within the crease but the inward movement surprises him and catches the inside edge of his bat and goes to Chandimal, who doesn't make any mistake. That's the end of Africa's innings and sixth wicket for Kumara! That shall also be LUNCH on Day 2! |
| After losing a wicket in the first over itself, the hosts came back strongly and posted a total of 392 on the board. Dean Elgar laid the foundation as he scored his 6th Test century and was involved in 3 healthy partnerships with Amla, du Plessis and de Kock. After his departure, the man in form Quinton de Kock carried on and completed his 3rd Test century! Lahiru Kumara was the pick of the bowlers for the Islanders with 6 wickets. Lakmal and Herath chipped in with a couple of wickets. |
| South Africa added 95 runs in the morning before getting bowled out. Herath picked up Abbott in the second over of the day and began the day well for the visitors. But then a 33-run and 40-run partnership for the 8th and 9th wicket respectively frustrated the Lankans a touch. They had to extend the start of the lunch but required only 5 extra minutes to get things done. |
| Kumara once again got things going for the Islanders adding 3 wickets to the overnight tally of 3. Pradeep was still absent on the field and the Lankans were one bowler short. Now, they have to show that they can bat deep and not tumble as they did in the first innings of the 1st Test. Whereas, the Proteas will look to bowl the visitors out and take a healthy first innings' lead. Stay tuned as we return after the lunch break with the Sri Lankan batting! |
| 0.1 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Starts off with a short and wide delivery outside off, doesn't get his channel right. Karunaratne points his bat skywards and allows it through. |
| 0.2 : V Philander to Karunaratne, This time he gets it closer to the off pole. Karunaratne covers his off pole and allows it through. |
| 0.3 : V Philander to Karunaratne, THAT'S A PEACH! Bowls a fullish delivery on off, shapes away sharply. Dimuth is drawn into the drive but the ball beats him all ends up. |
| 0.4 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Slips this one down the leg side, swinging further down. Karunaratne looks to cash on it but misses his flick. |
| 0.5 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Lands this on a length outside off, straightens a touch after pitching. A watchful leave by the batsman. |
| 0.6 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Two Leg Byes! Straying on the hips, Dimuth looks to clip it but the ball brushes his pads and runs down to fine leg. Rabada does the tidying up job and keeps them down to two. |
| KYLE ABBOTT to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : K Abbott to Silva, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 1.2 : K Abbott to Silva, BEAUTIFULLY BOWLED! Bowls a length delivery outside off, Silva has no choice but to play at it but is beaten by the away swing. |
| 1.3 : K Abbott to Silva, He is bowling a great channel here. Continues to land it in the corridor of uncertainty. Silva feels for it but the ball whizzes past his outside edge. |
| 1.4 : K Abbott to Silva, Fullish delivery tailing back in, Kaushal looks to clip it but ends up gloving it down the track. |
| 1.5 : K Abbott to Silva, Fullish delivery outside off, Silva doesn't flirt with that one. |
| 1.6 : K Abbott to Silva, Similar length delivery, curving away a touch. Silva lets it go. Good probing over by Abbott comes to an end. |
| 2.1 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Bowls a fullish delivery on off, swirling in a touch, Dimuth looks to defend it but gets an inside edge onto his pads and the ball rolls towards short mid-wicket. |
| 0.0 : Field change. Short leg comes in place. |
| 2.2 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Full length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 2.3 : V Philander to Karunaratne, No ball! Wider and fullish outside off, Karunaratne lets it through. Philander overstepped on that occasion. |
| V Philander to Karunaratne, Ooh.. That was close! Bowls it fullish on the stumps, swinging back. Karunaratne clips it uppishly just wide of the fielder at short leg. |
| 2.4 : V Philander to Karunaratne, THAT'S A PEACH OF A DELIVERY! Lands it on a length outside off, Karunaratne prods forward to defend but the away shape beats him all ends up. |
| 2.5 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Bowls a fullish delivery, Dimuth drives it uppishly back towards Philander. It went on the bounce to him. Nervy moments for him! |
| 2.6 : V Philander to Karunaratne, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 3.1 : K Abbott to Silva, Bowls a back of a length delivery outside off, Silva hops back, looks to play at it initially but pulls his bat out at the last moment. |
| 3.2 : K Abbott to Silva, Down the leg side, Silva looks to play it but misses. |
| 3.3 : K Abbott to Silva, HE IS LIVING DANGEROUSLY HERE! On a length, tailing back in. Kaushal comes forward to counter it but is hit on the gloves and the ball falls down on the pitch. That was not far from the short leg fielder. |
| 3.4 : K Abbott to Silva, Driven through mid on by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 3.5 : K Abbott to Silva, Fullish ball outside off, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 3.6 : K Abbott to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 4.1 : Philander to D Karunaratne, FOUR! STREAK BOUNDARY! Bowls a short and wide delivery outside off, Dimuth slashes at it and the ball flies over the slip cordon and runs down to the third man boundary. He was not in control of that shot. |
| 4.2 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Fullish delivery attacking the stumps, Karunaratne tries to dead-bat it but gets it high on the bat. The ball spoons down the pitch but is far away from the reach of Philander on his followthrough. |
| 4.3 : V Philander to Karunaratne, On a length outside off, swinging away. Left alone. |
| 4.4 : V Philander to Karunaratne, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 4.5 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Continues with his fullish length and bowls it on the stumps, pushed off the front foot to mid on. |
| 4.6 : V Philander to Karunaratne, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 5.1 : K Abbott to Silva, Bowls a short of a length delivery well outside off, Silva points his bat skywards and allows it through. |
| 5.2 : K Abbott to Silva, Bowls it on a fuller length on off, Silva clips it with soft hands to the left of the fielder at short leg and sets off for a run. The fielder is quick to get out off his blocks but isn't able to collect it. If he hurled a throw at the non-striker's end it could have been a close call. |
| 5.3 : K Abbott to Silva, Fullish delivery, played with soft hands to the on side for a run. |
| 5.4 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Leg bye! Straying on the hips, Karunaratne looks to clip it but misses and the ball brushes his thigh pad and rolls towards short fine leg. Leg bye taken! |
| 5.5 : K Abbott to K Silva, On a length outside off, angling away. Silva comes forward and looks to defend it but gets an outside edge towards gully. He played that with soft hands. |
| 5.6 : K Abbott to Silva, Stays back to this one and defends it solidly. |
| 6.1 : V Philander to Karunaratne, On a length on leg stump, clipped past short leg. |
| 6.2 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Bowls a full delivery on off, Karunaratne pushes it gently off his front foot and takes a brisk single. |
| 6.3 : V Philander to Silva, Comes forward to the fullish delivery and pushes it to the covers. Mike Haysman on air, points out that Silva has made an adjustment to his technique. He was moving a long way across in the first Test but he is much more settled at the crease here. |
| 6.4 : V Philander to Silva, Length delivery, shaping back in. Silva lunges forward and defends it. |
| 6.5 : V Philander to K Silva, Length delivery outside off, zips through the pitch. Silva is surprised by the bounce and gets an edge that falls safely towards the slip cordon. |
| 6.6 : V Philander to Silva, Fullish delivery outside off, shapes away a touch. Silva pokes at it tentatively but gets beaten. |
| 7.1 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Bowls a length ball on off, Karunaratne camps back and defends it solidly down the track. |
| 7.2 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Prods forward to the full delivery on off and defends it calmly. |
| A run out appeal against Karunaratne is referred upstairs. Looked pretty close and the South Africans are chirpy. |
| 7.3 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, BRILLIANT EFFORT FROM TEMBA BAVUMA! Karunaratne camps back to the length ball and taps it with soft hands towards covers. Sets off immediately for a run. Bavuma hares across from point, picks it up and hurls in a direct hit at the non striker's end. Karunaratne dives in to get back but has he made his crease? Yes, he has as the replays show that the full length dive saved him there. |
| 7.4 : K Abbott to Silva, Camps back to this one and defends it. |
| 7.5 : K Abbott to Silva, Bowls it in the corridor of uncertainty, shaping away after pitching. Silva plays at it but gets beaten comprehensively. |
| 7.6 : K Abbott to Silva, Dug in short this time, Silva ducks under it. |
| 8.1 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Fullish delivery swinging down towards the pads, Dimuth looks to clip it away but misses and is struck on the thigh pad. |
| 8.2 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Short of a length delivery, Dimuth punches it towards mid off. |
| 8.3 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Shortish delivery outside off, Karunaratne looks to cut it but gets it off the inner half and the ball drops on the pitch and bounces past the stumps. |
| 8.4 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Bowls a length delivery down the leg side, Dimuth looks to work it across but misses and the ball kisses his pads and de Kock behind the stumps pouches it. |
| 8.5 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Fuller length ball on off, Dimuth looks to defend it off his front foot but is hit on the pads. |
| 8.6 : V Philander to Karunaratne, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| KAGISO RABADA comes into the attack. |
| 9.1 : K Rabada to Silva, Fractionally overpitched outside off, Silva creams it through the covers and will get three good runs for it. |
| 9.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 9.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, FOUR! SHOT! Bowls a short delivery outside off and there is room on offer, Karunaratne frees his arms and slashes it uppishly through third man and the ball races to the fence. |
| 9.4 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, On a length on the stumps, played through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 9.5 : K Rabada to K Silva, Back of a length delivery, gets a bit big on Silva. He looks to defend it but gets it from the shoulder of his bat to the off side. |
| 9.6 : K Rabada to K Silva, FOUR! LUCKY RUNS! Bowls a length ball outside off, Silva goes for an ambitious drive on the up but gets a thick outside edge that flies towards the man at third slip. He leaps high in the air but the ball eludes him and runs down to the third man fence. |
| 10.1 : V Philander to Karunaratne, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 10.2 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Back of a length ball into the stumps, Karunaratne camps back and defends it to the leg side. |
| 10.3 : V Philander to Karunaratne, On a length on middle and off, Dimuth covers the line and defends it down the track. |
| 10.4 : V Philander to Karunaratne, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 10.5 : V Philander to Karunaratne, BRAVE LEAVE! Bowls it in the channel outside off, shapes back a touch after landing. Karunaratne covers his off pole and allows it through safely. |
| 10.6 : V Philander to D Karunaratne, Full delivery on off, pushed back in the direction of the bowler. |
| 11.1 : K Rabada to Silva, GOOD GAME AWARENESS! Angles in a fullish delivery into Silva. He prods forward and pushes it to the covers. Scurries through for a sharp single. |
| 11.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Hurls in a short of a length delivery, Dimuth rides the bounce and defends it down. |
| 11.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Straying on the pads, nudged round the corner for a run. |
| 11.4 : K Rabada to Silva, Slips this one down the leg side, Silva looks to clip it but misses. |
| 11.5 : K Rabada to Silva, He is getting his deliveries to curve back sharply and keeping the batsmen on their toes. This time Silva plants his front foot across and shoulders his arms to leave the inward shaping delivery alone. |
| 11.6 : K Rabada to Silva, Length delivery outside off, holding its line. Kaushal lets it go. |
| Time for Drinks. |
| Change of ends for KYLE ABBOTT. |
| 12.1 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Bowls a length delivery outside off, angling away. Dimuth shoulders his arms to let that one through. |
| 12.2 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, On a length slanting across the southpaw. He camps back and plays it with an angled blade towards gully. |
| 12.3 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Bowls it on a length and on the stumps, clipped towards mid-wicket. |
| 12.4 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Length delivery outside off, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 12.5 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Leg Bye! Comes from around the wicket and strays it on the hips, Karunaratne looks to tuck it but the ball brushes his thigh pad and rolls towards backward square leg. Single taken and they look for the second but it is not on. |
| 12.6 : K Abbott to Silva, Fullish delivery outside off, pushed to the covers. |
| 13.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Bowls a short of a length ball on off, tucked to the leg side. |
| 13.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Fullish and straying on the pads, clipped to the on side for a run. |
| 13.3 : K Rabada to Silva, Dug in short and it's going down the leg side, Silva ducks underneath it. |
| 13.4 : K Rabada to Silva, On a length outside off, Silva dabs it towards the slip cordon. |
| 13.5 : K Rabada to Silva, Fullish delivery outside off, Silva prods forward and pushes it to the covers. |
| 13.6 : K Rabada to Silva, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 14.1 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, The batsman has punched that ball through the off side. |
| 14.2 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Short of a length ball angling in, Karunaratne camps back and defends it nicely. |
| 14.3 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Short of a length ball outside off, Dimuth feels for it but gets beaten. There have been a lot of plays and misses by the Sri Lankan openers. The South Africans would be disappointed not to get a breakthrough. |
| 14.4 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Shortish delivery around off, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 14.5 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 14.6 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, In the channel outside off, Karunaratne pushes at it tamely but the ball whizzes past his outside edge. |
| 15.1 : K Rabada to Silva, Slips this one down the leg side, Silva looks to play at it but misses. |
| 15.2 : K Rabada to Silva, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 15.3 : K Rabada to Silva, OUT! RABADA STRIKES! Silva's uncomfortable stay at the crease comes to an end. Bowls a short of a length delivery on off, Silva hops back, gets into a bit of an awkward position and looks to defend it but gets an inside edge rather. The ball goes back and crashes into the stumps. Rabada has been rewarded for bowling disciplined lines and lengths. End of a stubborn 31-run stand. |
| KUSAL MENDIS comes in at No. 3. |
| 15.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, Camps back to this one and defends it nicely. |
| 15.5 : K Rabada to Mendis, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 15.6 : K Rabada to Mendis, Bowls it fullish and it's down the leg side, Mendis looks to glance it but misses. |
| 16.1 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Fullish delivery outside off, driven to the covers. |
| 0.0 : A slight issue here. A cool breeze is blowing across but it is a bit sturdy and the bails on the stumps at the striker's end fall off. The square leg umpire runs across, keeps them back and runs to his position again. |
| 16.2 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Outside off, Karunaratne pushes it towards point and sets off. There is a slight miscommunication between the two batsmen. Karunaratne wants the run, but Mendis doesn't. Then he respects the striker's call and runs. In the meanwhile, JP Duminy gets across from point and fumbles, allowing the single. The two batsmen then shout at each other as neither is able to hear the other due to the strong wind. A series of "HAAAN?" "HAAN?" "HAAN?" follows till both have the co |
| 16.3 : K Abbott to Mendis, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 16.4 : K Abbott to Mendis, Landed outside off, short in length, Mendis looks to steer it to third man but gets a bottom edge to second slip. |
| 16.5 : K Abbott to K Mendis, On middle and off, pushed towards mid on. |
| 16.6 : K Abbott to Mendis, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| VERNON PHILANDER comes back on to bowl. |
| 17.1 : V Philander to Karunaratne, On a good length on middle, angling down, tucked towards fine leg for a single. 160 more needed to avoid the follow-on. |
| 17.2 : V Philander to Mendis, Landed outside off, Mendis plays at it without moving his feet, then realizes that he is too far from the ball and tries to withdraw his bat but is late and gets beaten. |
| 17.3 : V Philander to Mendis, Terrific delivery. The previous ball was slightly short and moved away while this one was just short of a fuller length and came back in, right at the stumps. Mendis was watchful to keep it out. |
| 17.4 : V Philander to K Mendis, Hmmm.... things are happening now. Very full and straight, a little bit slower, Kusal plays a bit early and chips it uppishly but wide of the bowler towards mid on where Kagiso Rabada makes a sliding stop to his left. |
| 17.5 : V Philander to K Mendis, Asking questions, is Philander. On a good length outside off, KM looks to defend but then gets squared up as the ball moves away. Gets an outside edge which lands short of the slip cordon. |
| 17.6 : V Philander to Mendis, This is around off, watchfully defended. End of an excellent over. Looked like Philander almost worked out Mendis there. |
| 18.1 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, On a good length outside off, left alone. That came back in a long way and had the slip cordon excited. |
| 18.2 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Comes back in but not as much as the previous one. Calmly defended towards mid on. |
| 18.3 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Much fuller, but no movement, just coming in with the angle, defended towards mid on again. |
| 18.4 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Full and straight, tucked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 18.5 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, On a good length outside off, Karunaratne pushes at it but the ball straightens a touch and beats the outside edge. |
| 18.6 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, FOUR! MAGNIFICENT! Full and outside off, Karunaratne leans and drives it beautifully through the covers. Uppish but in the yawning gap between mid off and point for a boundary. Moves to 21 with his third boundary. |
| 19.1 : V Philander to Mendis, FOUR! Short and down the leg side, Mendis looks to pull but does not hit it that convincingly. However, he gets enough bat on it to pull it past the keeper to the fine leg fence. The stand moves to 10. Mendis is finally off the mark on his 13th ball. |
| 19.2 : V Philander to Mendis, Full and straight, watchfully defended. |
| 19.3 : V Philander to Mendis, Down the leg, Kusal cannot get it away. |
| 19.4 : V Philander to Mendis, Outside off, KM pushes it through point where the fielder dives to his left but does not make a clean stop. He fumbles but the batsmen do not run. |
| 19.5 : V Philander to Mendis, Full and just outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 19.6 : V Philander to Mendis, Maintains that line outside off, watchfully blocked out. |
| KAGISO RABADA comes back on. |
| 20.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 20.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Another solid defense on offer. |
| 20.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Strays down the leg side with the angle, Karunaratne helps it through square leg for a single. |
| 20.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, Again he strays down the leg side, this time from over the wicket, Mendis helps it towards fine leg for a run. The deficit is now 349. |
| 20.5 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 20.6 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, 5 Wides. |
| K Rabada to Karunaratne, No run. |
| Time for spin. KESHAV MAHARAJ into the attack now. |
| 21.1 : K Maharaj to Mendis, No run. |
| 21.2 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Another flatter ball, on the stumps, worked to mid-wicket with a closed face. |
| 21.3 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Gives this one a bit of flight and still attacks the stumps, once again it's worked to mid-wicket with a closed face. |
| 21.4 : K Maharaj to Mendis, SIX. |
| 21.5 : K Maharaj to Mendis, No run. |
| 21.6 : K Maharaj to Mendis, No run. |
| 22.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, No run. |
| 22.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Another one on a fuller length, outside off, it's driven to the cover region for nothing. |
| 22.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Angling in on the pads, it's flicked away towards mid-wicket and the batsmen take a single. |
| 22.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, Switches angles and comes from over the wicket now, pounds in a short one to take Mendis by surprise. Kusal however does well to go across, hop and keep it down on the track. |
| 22.5 : K Rabada to Mendis, Back of a length rising off the deck outside off, Mendis stands tall and dabs it towards the point region. |
| 22.6 : K Rabada to Mendis, Short of a length, just around off, Kusal Mendis once again gets across and works it to the right of mid on. |
| 23.1 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Full and outside off, Karunaratne drives it towards long on for a single. |
| 23.2 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Landed outside off, worked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 23.3 : Maharaj to K Mendis, OUT! Caught! Mendis loses his focus and pays the price. Full and outside off, Mendis looks to play the slog sweep but he is early into the same. Gets a top edge which goes straight up in the air. JP Duminy comes in from short extra cover and takes it near the bowler. Maharaj roars in anger. Poor choice of a shot with Tea around the corner. SRI LANKA NEED ANOTHER 137 TO AVOID THE FOLLOW-ON. |
| DHANANJAYA DE SILVA has been promoted to number 4, replacing Mendis. |
| 23.4 : K Maharaj to Silva, Full and outside off, driven through the covers where Duminy dives to his left to stop the ball. |
| 23.5 : K Maharaj to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 23.6 : K Maharaj to Silva, Quicker ball, on middle and leg, worked to the leg side. TEA ON DAY 2, SRI LANKA TRAIL BY 336! |
| A slow session which goes in South Africa's favour. Would have been balanced had Mendis not played that shot to get out. It has been pressure, pressure, pressure built up by the Proteas and eventually, something gave. |
| After getting close to 400 with the bat, the home side started their defense well, bowling tight lines and lengths. They gave nothing away but the Lankan openers were firm. They managed to see off the first hour but then Silva dragged one on. Later, Karunaratne and Mendis continued their defensive approach till impatience got the better of the latter. |
| The bowling has been relentless. The ball has not been moving much but the Protean bowling attack has kept the runs tight. So far, Karunaratne has exhibited a wonderful amount of patience. But where will the runs come from? Dhananjaya de Silva is not a blocker and he certainly likes to get things going. Will that pave the door open for the home side? 40 overs left in the day. Join us back at 1900 IST (1330 GMT). |
| ... DAY 2, SESSION 3 ... |
| We are back for the last session of Day 2. Dimuth Karunaratne and Dhananjaya de Silva will continue the Sri Lankan innings. Kagiso Rabada to start the bowling proceedings.... |
| 24.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Rabada from around the wicket, fires in a full ball well outside off, it's left alone. |
| 24.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Closer to the off stump, on a length, Karunaratne with a solid back foot defense. |
| 24.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, OUT! Rabada strikes immediately! And it's Temba Bavuma, to nobody's surprise, with a brilliant catch. Short and wide outside off, Karunaratne flashes at this and flashes hard. It's in the air and flies straight towards point where Bavuma dives low to his left and takes a brilliant catch. Sri Lanka's set batsman is back in the dressing. South Africa have two fresh batsmen out in the crease now to bowl at. They must be licking their lips at this. |
| ANGELO MATHEWS, the Sri Lankan skipper, is the next batsman in. |
| 24.4 : K Rabada to Mathews, Good length delivery in that off stump channel, Mathews with a solid leave. Raises his bat and lets it through. |
| 24.5 : K Rabada to Mathews, Makes another watchful leave. Covers the line well and lets the length ball through. |
| 24.6 : K Rabada to Mathews, Homing in on middle and leg, it's clipped down towards fine leg for an easy single. |
| KESHAV MAHARAJ will continue from the other end. |
| 25.1 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Full and around middle and leg, watchfully defended. |
| 25.2 : K Maharaj to Mathews, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 25.3 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 25.4 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Goes back and defends. |
| 25.5 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Fullish again, just around middle, well kept out. |
| 25.6 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 26.1 : K Rabada to Silva, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 26.2 : K Rabada to Silva, Works this down the leg side for a couple. |
| 26.3 : K Rabada to Silva, A bouncer on middle and off, Silva ducks. |
| 26.4 : K Rabada to Silva, Slips this down the leg side again, de Silva lets it through. Alviro Petersen on air mentions that the end from which Kagiso Rabada is bowling, the wind is blowing behind him. So the ball tends to go down the leg side, which is why Rabada is struggling to maintain his line. |
| 26.5 : K Rabada to Silva, Another one sprayed down the leg side, Dhananjaya tries flicking but misses. Quinton de Kock flies to his left like a goalkeeper and stops the ball. |
| REVIEW TIME. South Africa are not entirely sure whether they have their batsman but Faf du Plessis has taken the review. |
| 26.6 : Rabada to Silva, NOT OUT. A poor review in the end, especially when Faf himself was not sure. |
| 27.1 : K Maharaj to Mathews, No run. |
| 27.2 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Slows this up outside off, not much flight, Mathews comes forward and dead-bats it. |
| 27.3 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Comes down the track and defends. |
| 27.4 : K Maharaj to Mathews, No run. |
| 27.5 : K Maharaj to Mathews, No run. |
| 27.6 : K Maharaj to Mathews, 1 run. |
| 28.1 : K Rabada to Mathews, No run. |
| 28.2 : K Rabada to Mathews, OUT! Catching practice! On a good length outside off, comes back in, bounces a bit extra, Mathews fends at it and hands an easy catch off the outside edge to his counterpart Faf du Plessis at second slip. One skipper smiles while the other walks back with a forlorn face. 133 MORE NEEDED TO AVOID THE FOLLOW-ON. |
| DINESH CHANDIMAL walks in at number 6, replacing his skipper. |
| 28.3 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Outside off, pushed towards point. |
| 28.4 : K Rabada to Chandimal, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. |
| 28.5 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Landed outside off, allowed to go through as Chandimal shoulders arms. |
| 28.6 : K Rabada to Chandimal, FOUR! That is just a push! Full and outside off, Chandimal comes forward and only puts bat to ball. It races to the cover fence. 129 more needed to avoid the follow-on. |
| 29.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, No run. |
| 29.2 : K Maharaj to Silva, A quicker ball around middle, watchfully defended. |
| 29.3 : K Maharaj to Silva, Down the leg side, tucked just wide of short leg for a single. |
| 29.4 : K Maharaj to Chandimal, Full and around off, watchfully kept out. |
| 29.5 : K Maharaj to Chandimal, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 29.6 : K Maharaj to Chandimal, The arm ball on middle and off, Chandimal comes forward to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. The ball lobs in the air but drops short of silly point. |
| 30.1 : K Rabada to Silva, This is full and wide outside off, hint of away swing, left alone. |
| 30.2 : K Rabada to Silva, This is just around off, defended tightly. |
| 30.3 : K Rabada to Silva, Full and outside off, de Silva leans and drives it through the covers for a couple. |
| 30.4 : K Rabada to Silva, Banged in short, at the body, Dhananjaya pulls it towards fine leg but Stephen Cook at leg gully sticks out his left hand and takes some sting off the ball. Just a single taken when it could have well been a boundary. |
| 30.5 : K Rabada to Chandimal, A bouncer to test the batsman's footwork, ducked under. |
| 30.6 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Another bouncer, Chandimal ducks. |
| 31.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, FOUR! Nice use of the feet. Tossed up on middle and leg, de Silva dances down the track and whips it over mid-wicket for a boundary. The stand moves to 12 from 17 balls. De Silva moves to 10 from 17 balls. |
| 31.2 : K Maharaj to Silva, Short and down the leg side, tucked through square leg for a couple. |
| 31.3 : K Maharaj to de Silva, Tossed up outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 31.4 : K Maharaj to Silva, FOUR! De Silva is slowly turning it on here. Might as well get some runs and make the scoreboard moving because the batsmen have just been defending, consuming balls and then walking back to the pavilion. Fractionally short outside off, de Silva goes back and cuts it through point for a boundary. Poor delivery and put away. |
| 31.5 : K Maharaj to Silva, Outside off, slower in pace, defended from the crease. |
| UDRS TIME AGAIN! This time from Sri Lanka. Dhananjaya de Silva has been adjudged LBW but he wants a re-look. |
| 31.6 : K Maharaj to Silva, OUT! LBW! Maharaj has his second. Flighted around off, de Silva comes down the track and looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. He is hit very low, so in spite of jumping out of the crease, the height is not a factor. Only the impact is the question and Hawk Eye shows that to be UMPIRE'S CALL, so the decision stays. The ball was going on to hit the stumps. |
| UPUL THARANGA walks in at number 7, replacing de Silva. |
| 32.1 : K Rabada to Chandimal, On a good length outside off, Chandimal pushes it to cover and sets off for a single coming halfway down the track but Tharanga sends him back. There was no single there. |
| 32.2 : K Rabada to Chandimal, On a good length again, well outside off, Dinesh shoulders arms. |
| 32.3 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Struggles with that wind blowing behind him and sprays this down the leg side, Chandimal cannot get it away with a pull. |
| 32.4 : K Rabada to Chandimal, OUT! Caught behind! A procession is going on out there. Frustrating batting from the Sri Lankans. This is not a one-day international, it is a Test match, says Michael Holding on air. You are allowed to let those balls go outside off stump. But the batsmen do not seem to agree. Full and wide outside off, Chandimal goes hard with the cover drive, but his feet are stuck in the crease. Gets a thick outside edge to de Kock who snaffles it. Wicket number 4 for Rabada. Sti |
| RANGANA HERATH walks in at number 8, replacing Chandimal. One of my colleagues is confident that the Lankans will come out to bat for their second innings tonight itself. C'mon mate, let us show them some respect. |
| 32.5 : K Rabada to Herath, Full and outside off, pushed to the off side. |
| 32.6 : K Rabada to Herath, Outside off, left alone. Rabada's figures read 11-2-33-4. |
| 33.1 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 33.2 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, INSIDE EDGE. ALMOST A BAT-PAD CATCH. Full and outside off, Tharanga prods forward to defend. The ball bounces, hits the face of the bat and pops out in the air but well wide of short leg. May be, may be, a silly point might have taken in, had he been in place, but still, would have been very difficult. |
| 33.3 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, Comes down the track, takes it on the full and pushes it to long on. Mid on dives to his right and prevents the boundary. A single taken. |
| 33.4 : K Maharaj to Herath, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 33.5 : K Maharaj to Herath, Full and around middle, Herath looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge edge behind square leg. |
| 33.6 : K Maharaj to Herath, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 34.1 : K Rabada to Tharanga, A bouncer on middle and off, Tharanga ducks. |
| 34.2 : K Rabada to U Tharanga, EDGED, FOUR! Full and outside off, Tharanga pushes hard and gets a thick outside edge which flies past second slip to third man. |
| 34.3 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Stays back and defends. |
| 34.4 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 34.5 : K Rabada to Tharanga, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 34.6 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 35.1 : K Maharaj to Herath, 1 run. |
| 35.2 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 35.3 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, Full on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 35.4 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, Full and outside off, watchfully blocked. |
| 35.5 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 35.6 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, Full and down the leg side, swept uppishly through square leg for a single. |
| VERNON PHILANDER comes back on. |
| 36.1 : V Philander to Tharanga, No run. |
| 36.2 : V Philander to Tharanga, That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads. |
| 36.3 : V Philander to Tharanga, Outside off, left alone. |
| 36.4 : V Philander to U Tharanga, FOUR! MAGNIFICENT! Full and outside off, Tharanga leans and drives it through mid off for a boundary! |
| 36.5 : V Philander to Tharanga, Outside off, left alone. |
| 36.6 : V Philander to Tharanga, On middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 37.1 : K Maharaj to Herath, Landed outside off, left alone |
| 37.2 : K Maharaj to Herath, Down the leg side, Herath looks to flick but the ball hits his pads and goes past short leg. A leg bye taken. |
| 37.3 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, TOP EDGE, SAFE! Full and outside off, Tharanga looks to play the slog sweep but gets a top edge. JP Duminy runs after it from mid-wicket but can get to it only after it bounces. A single taken. |
| 37.4 : K Maharaj to Herath, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 37.5 : K Maharaj to Herath, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 37.6 : K Maharaj to Herath, Goes back in his crease and blocks. |
| 38.1 : V Philander to Tharanga, Full on middle, Tharanga drives it straight back. Philander gets his hands down and deflects it back onto the stumps at the non-striker's end. He starts to appeal for the run out but then realizes that Herath is in. |
| 38.2 : V Philander to Tharanga, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Tharanga gets on top of the bounce and cuts it behind point for a boundary. 98 more needed to avoid the follow-on now. |
| 38.3 : V Philander to Tharanga, Outside off, left alone. |
| 38.4 : V Philander to Tharanga, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total. |
| 38.5 : V Philander to Herath, Comes back in from around the wicket, angles this down the leg side, Herath misses his flick and is hit on the pads. Philander appeals for LBW but umpire Aleem Dar turns it down. Going down the leg side. |
| 38.6 : Philander to Herath, And again. Another LBW appeal. Nips this back a long way from outside off, Rangana misses his flick again and is hit on the pads. The umpire turns it down again and Faf contemplates about the review but does not take it. Hawk Eye shows the ball to be clipping leg stump, so umpire's call would have stayed. |
| 39.1 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, Full and outside off, Tharanga defends it back to the bowler. |
| 39.2 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, Outside off, pushed towards point. |
| 39.3 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, FOUR! MAJESTIC! A little overpitched outside off, Tharanga leans, opens the face of the bat and drives it through point for a boundary. 100 UP FOR SRI LANKA! This stand is worth 22 from 41 balls. Tharanga himself has reached 20 from 28 balls with 4 boundaries. |
| 39.4 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, Around off, kept out watchfully. |
| 39.5 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, On middle and leg, worked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 39.6 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, Plenty of flight outside off, driven straight to short extra cover. |
| Another UDRS incident. Rangana Herath has been adjudged LBW and he wants to review. |
| 40.1 : V Philander to Herath, OUT! LBW! Philander gets his man. On a good length outside off, this one nips back in as well, Herath misses his flick and is hit on the pads. He appeals and appeals and eventually umpire Dar raises his finger. Herath takes the review but Hawk Eye shows the ball to be clipping the top of leg stump. So umpire's call stays. 7 wickets down, 93 RUNS MORE NEEDED TO AVOID THE FOLLOW-ON. |
| 0.0 : SURANGA LAKMAL walks in at number 9, replacing Herath. |
| 40.2 : V Philander to Lakmal, Full and outside off, Lakmal comes forward to defend it towards mid off. |
| 40.3 : V Philander to Lakmal, Stays back in his crease and blocks. |
| 40.4 : V Philander to Lakmal, EDGED, DROPPED, CAUGHT, OUT! Philander has his second. Full and outside off, Lakmal pushes at it and gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies thick and fast to Dean Elgar at third slip who gets down to catch it over his head but the ball bursts through his palms. Luckily for him, the ball does not go too far and lobs in the it towards first slip where Hashim Amla takes it calmly. 150 TEST WICKETS FOR PHILANDER! Still a long time left in the day. Will the Proteas enf |
| The hero with the ball in the first innings, LAHIRU KUMARA walks in at number 10, replacing Lakmal. |
| 40.5 : V Philander to Kumara, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 40.6 : V Philander to Kumara, Goes right back in his crease and blocks. |
| 41.1 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, Tossed up around off, defended with the spin to short leg. |
| 41.2 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 41.3 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, A touch quicker around off, defended to the off side from the crease. |
| 41.4 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, Quicker and flatter again on the stumps, Tharanga blocks it into the ground. |
| 41.5 : K Maharaj to Tharanga, Kneels and sweeps it uppishly with the spin through square leg for a run. |
| 41.6 : K Maharaj to Kumara, FOUR! HE IS CARRYING HIS CONFIDENCE FROM HIS BOWLING! Tosses it up on the stumps, Kumara clears his front leg and tonks it over mid on and the ball races to the fence. |
| 42.1 : V Philander to Tharanga, FOUR! SHOT! Shortish delivery angling in, Tharanga stands tall and pulls it hard through mid-wicket and earns a boundary to his name. |
| 42.2 : V Philander to Tharanga, He gets a bit cramped up but manages to defend the length delivery off his back foot. |
| 42.3 : V Philander to Tharanga, On a length and angling in, Tharanga defends it to the leg side. |
| 42.4 : V Philander to Tharanga, Fullish delivery attacking the stumps, Upul works it towards mid-wicket and takes a single. |
| 42.5 : V Philander to Kumara, OUT! WHAT WAS KUMARA DOING THERE? Philander gets his third. Kumara was guilty of leaving a fullish ball attacking the stumps and he pays the price for it. He had absolutely no clue about that and looks back to see his leg stump shattered. Watching Philander bowl has been a joy to watch today. They still have 82 to avoid the follow-on and a follow-on is on the cards. Will South Africa have a crack at the visitors again? |
| NUWAN PRADEEP is the last man in. |
| 42.6 : V Philander to Pradeep, OUT! A TERIFFIC DISPLAY OF SEAM BOWLING and he has figures of 12-4-27-4 to boast of! Bowls it on a length outside off, moves away slightly after pitching. Pradeep hangs his bat at it but gets a thick outside edge that flies towards Faf du Plessis at third slip. He makes no mistake and pouches it safely. Absolutely cracking performance with the ball from the home side and they have bowled the Lankans out for 110! |
| BIG NEWS and a surprising one - SOUTH AFRICA ARE BATTING AGAIN. A bit baffling, to be honest. One would have though that Faf du Plessis would have liked to have a go at the Lankans this evening, with around three quarters of an hour left. But, he feels his bowlers need rest. |
| When a batting side has been dismissed for 110, it becomes extremely difficult to summarize its innings. The top 3 started well, seeing off the new ball, showing off some resistance and were 56/1 just a few overs before Tea. But then a rash shot from Kusal Mendis led to a collapse and they lost their last 9 wickets for just 54 runs. |
| The conditions are not overcast. The ball is not moving like a banana. There is no prodigious seam movement. But still, Sri Lanka have not even made one-third of the Protea total and not lasted even the maximum allotted overs in an ODI. One rash shot while the others were indecisive. Not sure whether to play or not and got sent back to the pavillion. |
| Excellent bowling display from the South Africans. Rabada set things up, with a 4-fer, then Philander came back towards the end to mop up the tail with a 4-fer of his own. Keshav Maharaj chipped in with a couple of wickets while Kyle Abbott was extremely frugal, going for just 9 in his 8 overs. |
| So what will be on South Africa's mind? No target as such. The first aim will be to see off today, then maybe bat till the final hour of tomorrow and declare with a target of around 600. Stay tuned for their second innings. |
| 0.1 : S Lakmal to Cook, STEPHEN COOK AVOIDS THE PAIR! Bowls a short of a length delivery wide outside off, he cuts it towards backwar point and gets a single. |
| 0.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, FOUR! WELL PLAYED! Bowls it shortish and wide outside off, Elgar frees his arms and cuts it behind point. Goof timing on that one and the ball races to the fence. |
| 0.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, On a length, slanting across Dean. He shuffles across and sees it through safely. |
| 0.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, A similar delivery outside off and Elgar is in no mood to flirt with it. |
| 0.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Straighter and on a length on this occasion, Elgar gets behind the line and defends it stoutly. |
| 0.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| NUWAN PRADEEP to share the new cherry. |
| 1.1 : N Pradeep to Cook, Fullish and straying on the pads, clipped through square leg for a run. |
| 1.2 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 1.3 : N Pradeep to Cook, Bowls a length delivery angling into the stumps, Elgar shuffles across and looks to tuck it to the leg side but closes his bat face early and ends up getting a leading edge towards covers. The ball falls down safely at the end. |
| 1.4 : N Pradeep to Cook, Slips this one down the leg side, Stephen shuffles across in his customary manner and looks to glance it but doesn't make any contact. |
| 1.5 : N Pradeep to Cook, Camps back to that one and tucks it to on side for a run. |
| 1.6 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Short of a length ball outside off, Dean plays it with an angled blade towards backward point to retain the strike. |
| 2.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, FOUR! DELIGHTFUL! Fractionally overpitched outside off, Elgar lunges forward and creams it through the covers for an exquisite boundary. |
| 2.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Comes around the wicket and hurls in a length delivery outside off which angles in. Elgar covers his off pole and leaves it alone. |
| 2.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Bowls this one fuller outside off, Elgar shoulders his arms to let that one through. |
| 2.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Bowls a very fullish ball around off this time, Dean prods forward and pushes it with soft hands to mid on. |
| 2.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Lands this one on a length and wide outside off, Elgar has nothing to do with it. |
| 2.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, THAT'S A PEACH! Bowls a length delivery on off, gets it to curve away appreciably. Elgar pokes at it tentatively and gets beaten all ends up. |
| 3.1 : N Pradeep to Cook, In the channel outside off, holding its line. Cook lets it go. |
| 3.2 : N Pradeep to Cook, Shuffles a bit to the fullish delivery and clips it to mid-wicket for a run. |
| 3.3 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Fuller length ball, angling across Elgar. He doesn't fiddle with that one. |
| 3.4 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Played to the point region by the batsman. |
| 3.5 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Fullish delivery slanting across him again and he is not bothered to play at that one. |
| 3.6 : N Pradeep to Elgar, On a length outside off, shaping away. Elgar shuffles and covers to allow it safely through. |
| LAHIRU KUMARA comes into the attack. |
| 4.1 : L Kumara to Cook, Just a back of a length ball shaping back in, Stephen shuffles a long way across and tucks it to fine leg. Single taken! |
| 4.2 : L Kumara to Elgar, Bowls it fullish outside off luring Elgar into a false shot. Elgar resists the temptation and leaves it alone. Most of the Sri Lankan batsmen got out to deliveries in the channel outside off, their bowlers are trying to utilize that channel as well. |
| 4.3 : L Kumara to Elgar, Fullish ball outside off, Elgar lunges forward and defends it solidly to the off side. |
| 4.4 : L Kumara to Elgar, Fullish delivery around off, shaping away. Dean lets it sail through to the keeper. |
| 4.5 : L Kumara to Elgar, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 4.6 : L Kumara to Elgar, Wide! Drops this one very short, Elgar ducks underneath it comfortably. Wide signaled by the umpire for height. |
| L Kumara to Elgar, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| Change of ends for LAKMAL. |
| 5.1 : S Lakmal to Cook, Bowls it in the channel outside off, shaping in. Cook looks to play it it initially but leaves it at the last moment. |
| 5.2 : S Lakmal to Cook, Short of a length delivery, Cook hops back and looks to tuck it but closes his bat face early and gets a leading edge past point. Couple taken! South Africa lead by 300 now. |
| 5.3 : S Lakmal to Cook, Hops back to the similar length delivery and plays it to towards backward point. |
| 5.4 : S Lakmal to Cook, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 5.5 : S Lakmal to Cook, Stays back to that one and defends it solidly. |
| 5.6 : S Lakmal to Cook, Bowls it in the corridor of uncertainty, Stephen allows it through. |
| 6.1 : L Kumara to Elgar, Bowls this one short and it's angling in, Elgar mistimes his pull to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 6.2 : L Kumara to Elgar, FOUR! Bowls it on a length outside off, Elgar comes forward and looks to defend it but gets an outside edge through the vacant third slip region and gets a boundary to his name. |
| 6.3 : L Kumara to Elgar, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 6.4 : L Kumara to Elgar, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 6.5 : L Kumara to Elgar, Back of a length delivery outside off, Elgar camps back and punches it through the off side. Couple taken! |
| 6.6 : L Kumara to Elgar, Shortish and wide outside off, Elgar cuts it towards Pradeep at point. Failed to capitalize on that. |
| 7.1 : S Lakmal to Cook, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. |
| 7.2 : S Lakmal to Cook, Short of a length outside off, Stephen shuffles across and allows it through. |
| 7.3 : S Lakmal to Cook, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 7.4 : S Lakmal to Cook, Fullish delivery outside off, another left alone from Cook. |
| 7.5 : S Lakmal to Cook, Outside off, fourth leave in a row by Cook. |
| 7.6 : S Lakmal to Cook, This time it's fullish outside off, Stephen comes forward and pushes it to mid off. |
| 8.1 : L Kumara to Elgar, Comes around the wicket and bowls a fullish delivery around off, Elgar comes forward and pushes it to the covers. |
| 8.2 : L Kumara to Elgar, INTENT FROM KUMARA! Comes running in and bowls a well directed bouncer and it's angling in on middle and off, Elgar has to sway away from the line to evade it. |
| 8.3 : L Kumara to Elgar, On a length outside off, holding its line. Elgar points his bat skywards and allows it through. |
| 8.4 : L Kumara to Elgar, Bowls a fullish ball around off, Elgar covers the line and defends it on the leg side. |
| 8.5 : L Kumara to Elgar, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 8.6 : L Kumara to Cook, FOUR! Bowls a short of a length ball on middle and leg, Cook hops back and guides it through fine leg and the ball races to the fence. |
| 9.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, THAT WAS A RIPPER! Bowls a short of a length ball attacking the body, Elgar is cut into two halves as he looks to play at it but the ball whizzes over his stumps. |
| 9.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 9.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Good bowling this by Lakmal. Continues to bowl it in the channel outside off, gets it to move away a shade. Elgar comes forward and hangs his bat at it but gets beaten. |
| 9.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total. |
| 9.5 : S Lakmal to S Cook, FOUR! DROPPED! It was a very difficult chance though! Bowls it on a length and it's angling in around leg stump, Cook closes his bat face early and gets a leading edge towards second slip. Kusal Mendis dives to his right athletically but fails onto hold onto it and the ball rolls to the third man fence. That just about carried. Cook has been living dangerously here. |
| 9.6 : S Lakmal to Cook, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 10.1 : L Kumara to Elgar, Full toss around off, pushed towards mid off. |
| 0.0 : A review for LBW. Kumara thinks he has Elgar trapped in front. Umpire Dar does not think so and Mathews wants a second look. |
| 10.2 : L Kumara to Elgar, NOT OUT! DECISION STAYS AS IT IS! Bowls a length delivery and gets it to tail back sharply, Elgar gets caught in the crease and looks to clip it through but misses and is hit high on the front pad. There is a loud appeal from the Lankans in unison but umpire Aleem Dar stays unmoved. Looked like it was going down leg to the naked eye. Mathews consults with his teammates and decides to take the review. Time for the Hawk Eye. It infact shows that the ball would have gone ov |
| 10.3 : L Kumara to Elgar, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 10.4 : L Kumara to Elgar, Fuller length ball attacking the stumps, Elgar clips it to mid-wicket. |
| 10.5 : L Kumara to Elgar, Dug in short this time, Dean ducks underneath it comfortably. |
| 10.6 : L Kumara to Elgar, Elgar gets behind the line and plays it with soft hands to the on side and gets a single to his name. They have seen off the tricky phase safely. With that, it will be STUMPS ON DAY 2! |
| Mission accomplished for today, as far as Elgar and Cook are concerned. They have seen off an uncomfortable period of play and taken South Africa unscathed to stumps. They had a few nervous moments but at the end of the day, they are still batting. |
| A dream session for South Africa and a manic one for the Lankans. The visitors were 56/2 at Tea and then ended up being bowled out for 110, facing just 19 overs after the break. With around 45 minutes left for the close, the Protea openers saw off the bowled 11 overs after their skipper surprisingly did not enforce the follow-on. |
| Two days are gone and we are into the third innings. The Proteas lead by 317 with all their wickets intact. Tomorrow is definitely a big day for the Lankans but what will trouble them the most is how will they be able to pick wickets on a track which does not have much for the bowlers. |
| If at all something can inspire Sri Lanka, it is bowling out South Africa in a session, just like the Proteas did to them. There are plenty of stories for motivation but the one which stands out is the 2011 Cape Town Test where South Africa fired back with the ball, bundling Australia out for a paltry 47 after conceding a big first-innings lead. |
| That is all we have for you from today. 6 wickets fell yesterday, 14 today. How will Day 3 pan out? Join us at 1400 IST (0830 GMT) tomorrow to find out. |
| ... DAY 3, SESSION 1 ... |
| Hello and welcome for Day 3 at Newlands. Aside from the opening session on Day 1, South Africa have dominated this game and kept Sri Lanka largely on the back foot. Even yesterday, they bowled the Lankans out for a meagre score of 110. Not enforcing the follow-on, Dean Elgar and Stephen Cook saw the tricky phase out and did not sustain any damage, scoring 35 in 11 overs. |
| A big day awaits, especially for Sri Lanka. As things stand, they run the risk of letting the Proteas run away with the game. The visitors are going to need something extremely special from somebody, or everybody together, if they are to stand any chance of taking something away from this game. The first session will be crucial. Don't go anywhere as the action is about to take place in a little bit... |
| The players are back and looking afresh. Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar will look to add to their overnight totals and look to frustrate the Lankans. Suranga Lakmal will start the bowling proceedings... |
| 11.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Comes steaming in and starts off with a fuller length ball just outside off, it's swinging back in but not enough. Dean Elgar leans forward and lets it through. |
| 11.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Line was good from Suranga Lakmal. Bowls it on off, Elgar shuffles across, positions himself perfectly behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 11.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Fires it full and gets it to come back in on middle and off, Dean Elgar drives this off the inner half towards wide mid on. |
| 11.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Quite straight, on the pads, worked away to square leg for nothing. |
| 11.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, FOUR! First runs of the day. Beautiful from Dean Elgar. Was right in his territory and he put it away with so much easy. On the pads, he flicked it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 11.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Fuller length ball on middle and off, wristed away towards the wide mid on fielder. No run and that will be the end of the over. |
| NUWAN PRADEEP to bowl from the other end. |
| 12.1 : N Pradeep to Cook, Fuller on off, shaping away, Cook gets across and opens the face of his bat to run down the ball through the gap between the slip cordon and gully for a brace. |
| 12.2 : N Pradeep to Cook, Length delivery outside off, Cook covers his stumps and leaves it. |
| 12.3 : N Pradeep to Cook, Back of a length delivery, angling into the body, tucked on the leg side for a single. |
| 12.4 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Angling across the southpaw, an easy leave for the batsman. |
| 12.5 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Another delivery angling away, another leave by Elgar. |
| 12.6 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Length delivery outside leg, angling towards the stumps, worked to widish mid on. |
| 13.1 : S Lakmal to Cook, Outside off, shaping away, Cook lets it go through to the keeper. |
| 13.2 : S Lakmal to Cook, Pitched outside off, Cook shoulders his arms. |
| 13.3 : S Lakmal to Cook, Full just outside off, Cook covers his stumps and flicks it through mid-wicket. Silva gives it a chase and is successful in pulling the ball back with a slide but is not successful in saving any runs as the batsmen run through for four runs. |
| 13.4 : S Lakmal to Cook, Wide outside off, Cook stays in his crease and leaves it. |
| 13.5 : S Lakmal to Cook, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 13.6 : S Lakmal to Cook, Pitched outside off, SC doesn't flirt with it. |
| 14.1 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Wide outside off, another leave. |
| 14.2 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Angling across the batsman, Elgar prods forward and leaves it. |
| 14.3 : N Pradeep to Elgar, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 14.4 : N Pradeep to Elgar, FOUR! Full outside off, Elgar just pushes it gently pass the bowler for a boundary and brings up another 50-run stand for the opening wicket. |
| 14.5 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Length delivery angling away, Elgar taps it with soft hands towards cover-point for a single. |
| 14.6 : N Pradeep to Cook, Length delivery around off, angling in, Cook gets across and hops to play it across the line but misses and gets hit high on the pads. Pradeep and co. appeal but umpire Dar says not out. Mathews doesn't take the review this time and it's a good decision as the Hawk Eye shows it was going well above the stumps. |
| 15.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Length delivery, angling across, Elgar places it from within the crease towards cover-point for a single. |
| 15.2 : S Lakmal to Cook, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 15.3 : S Lakmal to Cook, Outside off, left alone. |
| 15.4 : S Lakmal to Cook, On a length outside off, SC gets across and leaves it. |
| 15.5 : S Lakmal to Cook, Around off, angling in a touch, Cook once more shuffles and looks to play it with a straight bat but gets square up and the ball goes along the crowd to gully. That's a good line against Cook! |
| 15.6 : S Lakmal to Cook, Back of a length delivery outside off, Stephen guides it a touch uppishly but falls just short of Mendis at gully. |
| LAHIRU KUMARA is on, replacing Pradeep. |
| 16.1 : L Kumara to Elgar, Length delivery on middle and leg, moving across the southpaw, Elgar looks to defend it by getting behind the line of the delivery but ends up edging it just short of gully. Another edge found by the Lankan bowlers. |
| 16.2 : L Kumara to Elgar, Banged in short, Elgar latches onto it in a flash and pulls it over backward square leg. Pradeep in the deep cuts it out and keeps it down to two. |
| 16.3 : L Kumara to Elgar, Short outside off, width on offer, Elgar stands tall and gently pushes it just behind square on the off side. There's protection out there and the batsmen take a single. |
| Lahiru Kumara is having trouble with the spikes of his shoes and has asked for a replacement pair. |
| 16.4 : L Kumara to Cook, WHAT WAS THAT? Kumara hasn't found the grip with his new pair of shoes I guess! Big full toss wide outside off. Even Cook is surprised by that and leaves the ball in amazement. |
| 16.5 : L Kumara to Cook, Another full toss! This time it's a low one outside off, driven to mid off. Cook fails to get this away! |
| 16.6 : L Kumara to Cook, Another low full toss this time on the stumps, clipped through square leg for a single. |
| 17.1 : S Lakmal to Cook, Outside off, left alone. |
| 17.2 : S Lakmal to Cook, Outside off, pushed to cover with soft hands for a single. |
| 17.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Back of a length delivery outside off, Elgar taps it into the ground towards backward point. Mendis from gully runs to his left and parries it a touch away which allows the batsmen to take a single. |
| 17.4 : S Lakmal to Cook, Fuller on the stumps, clipped to mid-wicket. |
| 17.5 : S Lakmal to Cook, Fullish delivery on off, Cook gets across and defends it towards mid on. |
| 17.6 : S Lakmal to Cook, Another one fuller on the stumps, Cook once again gets across and flicks it off his pads to deep square leg for a single. |
| 18.1 : L Kumara to Cook, Full toss outside off, Cook mistimes the shot back down to mid off for nothing. |
| 18.2 : L Kumara to Cook, Another full toss from Kumara and this time it's put away. Stephen Cook standing his ground punches this back down the ground. Leaves no chance for the mid off or mid on fielder to stop that. It raced away to the boundary line. |
| 18.3 : L Kumara to Cook, Make that three full toss in a row. This one was a little low as Cook played it off the inner half towards mid-wicket. One run taken. |
| 18.4 : L Kumara to Elgar, Comes from around the wicket and bowls it quite full and wide outside off, no chance Elgar has anything to do with that. |
| 18.5 : L Kumara to Elgar, Pitches this just ahead of a driving length, still well outside off, it's left alone. |
| 18.6 : L Kumara to Elgar, An attempted yorker aimed at the base of off stump, Dean Elgar presses down it and buries it into the track. |
| 19.1 : S Lakmal to Cook, OUT! An edge which has been taken. Lakmal gets the first wicket. Excellent length and brilliant line, around off, Cook is drawn forward to play at it and gets a healthy edge. Flies straight into the hands of Karunaratne at first slip who takes a comfortable catch. Sri Lanka strike early, need a few more now. |
| 0.0 : HASHIM AMLA walks in at No.3. |
| 19.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, Fuller and wider outside off, Amla is going nowhere near that. Through for the keeper to collect. |
| 19.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, Brings it closer to the batsman, on a length, Hashim Amla with consecutive leaves. |
| 19.4 : S Lakmal to H Amla, Bowls this marginally ahead of a length and attacks the off stump, Amla is forward is defense but the ball goes off the outside edge and rolls away to point. |
| 19.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, Fullish length ball angling in on off, it's played off the inner half on the leg side. |
| 19.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, OUT! Double blow from Lakmal. Double wicket maiden and this is what Sri Lanka wanted. Excellent line, just around off and it has just enough movement away on it. Amla is drawn forward and he gets an edge. Goes behind to Chandimal who takes a regulation catch. Brilliant from Suranga Lakmal, he's once again stepping up for his team. |
| JP DUMINY is the next batsman in. |
| 20.1 : L Kumara to Elgar, From around the wicket, speared in full on middle and off, Elgar gets right behind the line and meets it with a straight bat. |
| 20.2 : L Kumara to Elgar, Nice, controlled shot from Dean Elgar, he arches back to this short ball and guides it down towards third man for a couple of runs. |
| 20.3 : L Kumara to Elgar, Short of a length and wide outside off, left alone. |
| 20.4 : L Kumara to Elgar, Bumper from Kumara, ducked and evaded. |
| 20.5 : L Kumara to Elgar, Keeps it on the shorter side and hits the deck hard, another easy leave for Dean. |
| 20.6 : L Kumara to Elgar, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 21.1 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Angles across a length delivery, well outside off, Duminy covers the line well and shoulders his arms to it. |
| 21.2 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Short of a length which is shaping away from JP Duminy, he withdraws his bat and lets it be. |
| 21.3 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Duminy lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 21.4 : S Lakmal to Duminy, On a back of a length, not much bounce on this occasion. Left alone. |
| 21.5 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Fuller length ball around off, driven back down to mid off for nothing. |
| 21.6 : S Lakmal to Duminy, FOUR! WHAT A SHOT! JP Duminy was onto that in a flash. Pounced on it like a cat. Back of a length on off, Duminy hops and muscles the pull over mid-wicket. There's no protection out in the deep so the ball runs away to the fence. |
| 22.1 : L Kumara to Elgar, Starts off from around the wicket and angles in a length ball on middle and off, Dean works it in front of mid-wicket and takes a brisk single. |
| 22.2 : L Kumara to Duminy, Switches angles and is now over the wicket, spears this on a fuller length around off, it's shaping away as JP drives it to mid off. |
| 22.3 : L Kumara to Duminy, Similar ball, same shot. A drive to mid off. Dot ball. |
| 22.4 : L Kumara to Duminy, Back of a length angling across, Duminy hangs back and punches it through the covers for a single. |
| 22.5 : L Kumara to Elgar, FOUR! Beautifully played. Was always in control of that shot. Back to around the wicket, on a back of a length, Dean Elgar stands his ground and pulls it ever so well over mid-wicket. The balance is terrific and he watches the ball go across the ropes. |
| 22.6 : L Kumara to Elgar, Stays within his crease and keeps it out down on the track. |
| NUWAN PRADEEP is back on to bowl. |
| 23.1 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Hurls this way outside the off stump, on a fullish length, JP leans across and watches as the ball goes past him. |
| 23.2 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Short and on the stumps, it's pulled away wildly over mid-wicket for a single. |
| 23.3 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Quite harmless from Pradeep, bowls this on a length but it's well outside off, left alone by Elgar. |
| 23.4 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Back of a length outside off, Elgar punches it to deep backward point and picks up a single for doing so. |
| 23.5 : N Pradeep to Duminy, On a length once more, hurled across, no shot offered to that one. |
| 23.6 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Almost caught the edge there. Just stands up on Duminy, decks away as it's on the shorter side. JP looks to have a tame poke at it as the ball just whizzes past the edge. |
| Drinks are on the field now! |
| DHANANJAYA DE SILVA is into the bowling attack now. He has a slip and a short leg in place... |
| 24.1 : de Silva to Elgar, Starts off from around the wicket and bowls a flatter ball on off, Elgar whips this nicely through the mid-wicket region and gets three runs for it. |
| 24.2 : de Silva to Duminy, Tossed up with some drift on it, on middle and leg, Duminy comes ahead and eases it down to long on for one. |
| 24.3 : de Silva to Elgar, Looped up on middle and off, it's played back down the track. |
| 24.4 : de Silva to Elgar, That's the line. Bowled slower through the air just outside off, Dean watches as the ball goes into the keeper's gloves. |
| 24.5 : de Silva to Elgar, Floats this one up on off stump, slog swept through mid-wicket for another run. |
| 24.6 : de Silva to Duminy, Duminy makes use of his feet, gets to the pitch and wrists it towards widish mid on for a run. |
| 25.1 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Full ball outside off, Duminy plants his front foot across and shoulders his arms to this one. |
| 25.2 : N Pradeep to JP Duminy, Lucky that didn't find the gap. Extremely full outside off, JP leans into the drive and creams it, but it's straight to the short cover fielder. |
| 25.3 : N Pradeep to Duminy, FOUR! In the gap this time. Pradeep making the same mistake twice and gets punished for it. JP doesn't try to hit it too hard, just pushes it through the covers and beats the man in the deep. |
| 25.4 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Good length ball outside off, untouched as it goes behind to Dinesh Chandimal. |
| 25.5 : N Pradeep to Duminy, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 25.6 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Short of a length outside off, left alone to end the over. |
| 26.1 : de Silva to Elgar, Flighted delivery from de Silva, on off and it's pushed slower through the air, Elgar wrists this to mid-wicket for one. |
| 26.2 : de Silva to Duminy, Floats this up on off and gives it a lot of air, Duminy prods forward to block. |
| 26.3 : de Silva to Duminy, Straighter one around off, it hold its line as JP strides ahead. Goes past him and to the keeper. |
| 26.4 : de Silva to Duminy, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 26.5 : de Silva to Elgar, FOUR! Short, flat and wide outside off, Elgar rocks back and cuts it away through point. Finds the fence and brings up his fifty. |
| 5th Test fifty for Dean Elgar! |
| 26.6 : de Silva to Elgar, Tossed up outside off, left alone. |
| 27.1 : N Pradeep to Duminy, On the stumps, it's worked away on the leg side for a single. |
| 27.2 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Quite straight from Pradeep once more, it's tucked through to deep backward square leg for a run. |
| 27.3 : N Pradeep to JP Duminy, FOUR! Edged and nobody has taken that. It's gone right through. Nobody moved, think everybody was performing the mannequin challenge. Back of a length around off, Duminy just hangs his bat out to this one. Gets a healthy edge which flies right between Chandimal and Karunaratne at first slip. Races away to the fence behind. |
| JP Duminy is caught leg before and adjudged out. He has taken a review against the decision. |
| 27.4 : N Pradeep to Duminy, NOT OUT! DUMINY SURVIVES! Good length delivery tailing back in a touch on middle and off, Duminy goes across to play at this and is caught flush on the pads. Loud shouts for a leg before go up and the umpire raises his finger. JP thinks otherwise though and quickly takes a review. The decision goes upstairs and replays show that height is an issue. The ball is going over the stumps. So unlucky, two good delivery by Pradeep and not a wicket to show for, he'll feel hard |
| 27.5 : N Pradeep to Duminy, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 27.6 : N Pradeep to Duminy, FOUR! That's just adding insult to injury. Full outside off, JP drives it through the covers for a boundary. |
| 28.1 : de Silva to Elgar, Looped up outside off, Dean with a solid front foot block. |
| 28.2 : de Silva to Elgar, Wrists this away on the on side and picks up a single. |
| 28.3 : de Silva to Duminy, Floated just outside off, it's played back down the track. Won't get any run for it. |
| 28.4 : de Silva to Duminy, Gives this some decent air and pitches it on off, it's driven towards mid off for one. |
| 28.5 : de Silva to Elgar, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single. |
| 28.6 : de Silva to Duminy, Outside off, played to point for no run. |
| 29.1 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Stays right behind the line of this length delivery, Dean Elgar, and defends it out. |
| 29.2 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Around the wicket now, angles in a back of a length delivery around off, Dean gets a bottom edge as he tries to cut it away. Falls right beside him as a quick single is taken. |
| 29.3 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Back of a length outside off, from over the wicket, no shot offered to that one. |
| 29.4 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Another one seaming across, decent movement on that occasion, Duminy makes a watchful leave. |
| 29.5 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Fires it wider outside off, makes it all the more easy for JP to let ignore it. |
| 29.6 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Shuffles across a touch, raises his bat and lets this back of a length ball go past him to Chandimal. |
| RANGANA HERATH is on to bowl now. |
| 30.1 : R Herath to Elgar, Tossed up outside off, Elgar kneels down and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket for a single. |
| 30.2 : R Herath to Duminy, Fuller delivery on the stumps, driven through mid on for a single. |
| 30.3 : R Herath to Elgar, OUT! HERATH THE GO-TO MAN! Flatter one outside off, Elgar dances down the track and looks to play it across the line but plays the wrong line. Expecting for the turn and gets an outside edge towards Mathews at first slip, who moves slightly towards his left and grabs the ball cleanly. Elgar's decent knock is over! Herath strikes in his first over of the innings. The lead is now 392 runs! |
| FAF DU PLESSIS, the South African skipper, is the next in to bat. |
| 30.4 : R Herath to Plessis, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 30.5 : R Herath to Plessis, Tossed up around off, du Plessis prods forward in defence. |
| 30.6 : R Herath to Plessis, Full outside off, pushed through covers for a single. |
| 31.1 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Length delivery just around off, left alone. |
| 31.2 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Some late movement for Nuwan Pradeep, it shapes away a shade after hitting the deck and beats the outside edge of du Plessis' bat. Lovely stuff. |
| 31.3 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Tailing in on middle and leg, Faf closes the face and works it through the mid-wicket region for three good runs. |
| 31.4 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Back of a length, around off, JP rises and punches it in front of covers. |
| 31.5 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Good line from Nuwan Pradeep, pitches it on a good length just around off, Duminy raises his bat and lets the ball through. |
| 31.6 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Keeps it in that off stump channel, with some good carry on that, another leave to end the over. |
| 32.1 : R Herath to Plessis, From around the wicket, Hearth tosses it up on the stumps, Faf opens his body up and drives it to covers. |
| 32.2 : R Herath to Plessis, Slower through the air and drifting in on middle and leg, driven off the inside half towards mid on for a brisk run. |
| 32.3 : R Herath to Duminy, Over the wicket to JP, straighter one just outside off, kept out from deep within the crease. |
| 32.4 : R Herath to Duminy, Prods forward to this shorter delivery and taps it away on the off side. |
| 32.5 : R Herath to Duminy, Rangi with a lot of flight on this one, tossed up on off, the left-hander presses ahead and smothers the spin. |
| 32.6 : R Herath to Duminy, Full on middle and off, it's flicked to the mid-wicket area for no run. That will be the end of the over. |
| 33.1 : N Pradeep to Plessis, FOUR! Big edge and that's right in the gap. Faf hangs his bat out to this one and gets a thick edge. Rockets right through the gap between gully and the slip cordon and races away to the third man fence. The lead now extends to 401. |
| 33.2 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Excellently bowled on a length, in the channel outside off, du Plessis ignores that completely. |
| 33.3 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Length delivery aiming the top of off stump, Faf du Plessis meets it with a straight bat and keeps it out. |
| 33.4 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Another one outside off, left alone. |
| 33.5 : N Pradeep to Plessis, A bit of movement away as Faf du Plessis covers the line. Raises his bat and leaves it alone. |
| 33.6 : N Pradeep to Plessis, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 34.1 : R Herath to Duminy, Flatter and shorter in length, outside off, defended off the back foot. |
| 34.2 : R Herath to Duminy, FOUR! Full from Herath and it's put away. Duminy leans ahead and drives this past mid off. Kumara there tries chasing it down, even puts in a last ditch dive to keep it from the ropes but fails to do so. |
| 34.3 : R Herath to Duminy, Loopy and fullish around off, JP Duminy gets to the pitch of the delivery and eases it down to long on for a single. |
| 34.4 : R Herath to Plessis, Top stuff from Faf du Plessis. Brings the wrists into play and whips it through mid-wicket. It's placed nicely in the gap for three good runs. |
| 34.5 : R Herath to Duminy, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 34.6 : R Herath to Duminy, Another solid front foot defensive shot by JP Duminy and that will be the end of the over. |
| SURANGA LAKMAL is back into the attack. |
| 35.1 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Length delivery aiming the top of off stump, du Plessis stays right behind the line and blocks it down on the track. |
| 35.2 : S Lakmal to Plessis, On a length once more, it's coming in on middle and leg, worked to mid-wicket for nothing. |
| 35.3 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Outside off, nipping away a touch in that off stump channel, Faf lets it go. |
| 35.4 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Around off, Faf du Plessis walks across, covers the line well and defends it down right under his nose. |
| 35.5 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Good carry for Suranga Lakmal. Chandimal collects it at a good height as Faf du Plessis lets it through. Was on a good length but it didn't cause much problem. |
| 35.6 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Taps this down in front of cover-point and scurries to the other end for a quick single. Very well done. |
| 36.1 : R Herath to Plessis, That was hit extremely hard. Dances down the wicket and drives this on the bounce. Bumps this straight to the short cover fielder. |
| 36.2 : R Herath to Duminy, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 36.3 : R Herath to JP Duminy, Full and on off, driven down to long on for one. |
| 36.4 : R Herath to Plessis, Floats it up on middle and off, it's drifting in too, du Plessis keeps it out off the front foot. |
| 36.5 : R Herath to Plessis, FOUR! Shot. Faf takes a big lunge down the track, meets the ball at its pitch and hammers it over the bowler's head. Mid off and mid on are up and that was the safest way to go aerially. |
| 36.6 : R Herath to Plessis, Full on the stumps, driven to mid on for a run. |
| 37.1 : S Lakmal to Plessis, On a good length, in the channel outside off, Faf du Plessis shoulders his arms to that one. |
| 37.2 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Just back of a length, tight line as it's close to the off pole, du Plessis is a little cramped for room but still manages to cut it away to the point fielder. |
| 37.3 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Way outside off, not bothered with by the Protea skipper. |
| 37.4 : S Lakmal to Plessis, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single. |
| 37.5 : S Lakmal to Duminy, OUT! LAKMAL WITH HIS THIRD STRIKE! Duminy wanted to take the review but time ran out. And in a way, it's good that it did, he was dead plumb. Lakmal comes from over the wicket and fires in a full ball on middle and leg, Duminy is struck low on the pads as he attempts to flick it across the line. Loud, roaring appeals for a leg before go up and the umpire raises his finger. JP unable to take the review has to make the long walk back. Suranga Lakmal has once again done i |
| Suranga Lakmal has picked up a wicket just before the break and given his side a lot to smile about going in to have their meals. The pacer has yet again stepped up, like always, whenever his team has needed him to and he has delivered. Scalped 3 of the 4 wickets to fall in this session, namely of Cook, Amla and now Duminy. An excellent display with the ball. Rangana Herath chipped in with 1 in his brief spell. |
| South Africa have lost 4 wickets, but still scored 101 runs in this morning session. They'd have liked to have a wicket or two more, but have nothing to be disappointed about as their lead has crossed the 400-mark. With their skipper still out there and the likes of Bavuma and de Kock to still play, they'll back themselves to score some brisk runs. Should be a good afternoon session indeed. Join us back for that in a short while. |
| ... DAY 3, SESSION 2 ... |
| The players are back after the lunch break. TEMBA BAVUMA has walked in to join his skipper, Faf du Plessis in the middle. Suranga Lakmal to finish his over! |
| 37.6 : S Lakmal to Bavuma, Length ball darted wide outside off, Bavuma with the easiest of leaves. |
| RANGANA HERATH will continue from the other end. |
| 38.1 : R Herath to Plessis, From around the wicket, it's loopy and pitched on a length, du Plessis goes back and punches it to the covers for a single. |
| 38.2 : R Herath to Bavuma, Floats this one up nicely around off, it's kept out off the front foot. |
| 38.3 : R Herath to Bavuma, Another tight defense from Temba Bavuma, he presses forward and buries it into the track. |
| A run out appeal against Temba Bavuma is referred upstairs by the umpire. |
| 38.4 : R Herath to Bavuma, OUT! HE'S GONE! The dive didn't save him as his bat was in the air. Tossed up on the stumps, Bavuma eases this to mid off and sets off for the run, taking the fielder there on. Unnecessary really, no need to do that at this point. Dhananjaya de Silva is the fielder and he gets a direct hit at the bowler's end. Replays show Temba's bat to be in the air when the bails are off and so, he is going to have to walk back now. Another failure for him. |
| QUINTON DE KOCK walks into the middle next. |
| 38.5 : R Herath to du Plessis, Flighted outside off, Faf eases it down to long off for a single. |
| 38.6 : R Herath to de Kock, Rangi once again tosses this one right up there, on middle and off, de Kock gets an inside edge onto his pads as he tries to drive this away. |
| 39.1 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Back of a length angling into the body, Faf du Plessis swivels across and pulls it down to fine leg for a run. |
| 39.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, Instantly attacks and goes fuller, aims the middle stump but de Kock deals with it comfortably. Flicks it through mid-wicket and picks up a single, is off the mark comfortably. |
| 39.3 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Good carry, good line and a great length. In that off stump channel, Lakmal keeping it night and tight. Tempting Faf to play at it but he resists the urge. |
| 39.4 : S Lakmal to Plessis, FOUR! He'll enjoy that, Faf du Plessis. Positive play from the skipper. He drives this one on the up and pierces the gap through the covers. Got the placement right and executed the shot perfectly. Didn't even bother running for it. Great shot. |
| 39.5 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Back of a length with some away movement, du Plessis opens the face and steers it past backward point for a couple of runs. |
| 39.6 : S Lakmal to Plessis, FOUR! A misfield from the fielder and that's a boundary to end the over. Outside off, Faf du Plessis hangs back and cuts this late. It straight at the gully fielder who poorly lets it through his hands. It races away behind to the third man fence. |
| 40.1 : R Herath to Kock, Quicker one on middle, de Kock gets down and drives it to log on for a single. |
| 40.2 : R Herath to Plessis, This time a touch slower but still flatter outside off, Faf waits for it and works it nicely towards cover-point for a single. |
| 40.3 : R Herath to Kock, Tossed up outside off, de Kock gets to the pitch of the ball hits firmly but straight to the man at covers. |
| 40.4 : R Herath to Kock, FOUR! Floated outside off, QdK again charges down and whips it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 40.5 : R Herath to Kock, This time de Kock stays in the crease and carves it nicely through backward point for a single. |
| 40.6 : R Herath to du Plessis, FOUR! Tossed up outside of, du Plessis leans into the drive nicely through covers for a boundary. |
| 41.1 : S Lakmal to Kock, Back of a length delivery angling across, tapped into the ground towards gully. |
| 41.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, Fuller on the pads, flicked through the leg side for a single. |
| 41.3 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Length delivery defended off the back foot. |
| 41.4 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Outside off, du Plessis stays in the crease and gently defends it to covers. |
| 41.5 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Length delivery in the corridor of uncertainty, Faf covers his stumps and leaves the ball by pointing his bat skywards. |
| 41.6 : S Lakmal to Plessis, On the fuller side of the length on off, FdP prods forward and defends it straight back. |
| LHIRU KUMARA replaces Herath. |
| 42.1 : L Kumara to Kock, Length delivery outside off, slight width on offer and QdK doesn't let it go, he punches it off the back foot through point for a single as there's protection out there. |
| 42.2 : L Kumara to Plessis, Length delivery outside off, du Plessis taps it gently towards silly mid off and takes off for a quick single. The mid off fielder comes across and hurls a throw at the striker's end and hits the target. The umpire has a check upstairs and the replay shows that du Plessis has made his ground and he is safe. |
| After losing one wicket to a direct hit earlier, SA should be more careful with such cheeky singles. |
| 42.3 : L Kumara to Kock, Back of a length delivery, de Kock looks to punch it off the back foot but fails to connect. |
| 42.4 : L Kumara to Kock, FOUR! Slightly short in length, de Kock latches onto it in a flash and pulls it powerfully through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 42.5 : L Kumara to Kock, Length delivery outside off, punched off the back foot to covers. |
| 42.6 : L Kumara to Kock, Outside off, pushed to covers. |
| 43.1 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Back of a length delivery wide outside off, du Plessis looks to slash it but fails to make any connection. |
| 43.2 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Again wide outside off, this time du Plessis leaves it alone. |
| 43.3 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Fuller on middle and off, defended gently towards mid on. QdK from the other end takes off but is sent back by his skipper with a loud 'no'. |
| 43.4 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Length delivery outside off, an easy leave for the batsman. |
| 43.5 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Length delivery outside off, du Plessis prods forward and defends into the ground with soft hands and takes off for a quick single. De Silva comes running in from mid off and looks hurry both the batsmen but fails to grab the ball. Both the batsmen are alert enough to see no one covering up and takes the second. |
| 43.6 : S Lakmal to Plessis, OUT! LAKMAL WITH HIS 4TH! A touch fuller outside off, du Plessis looks to push at it but the ball shapes away, catches the outside edge of the bat and goes behind towards Chandimal. He gets low to his right and grabs the ball cleanly. The skipper once again fails to convert his start. The LEAD IS NOW 452! |
| KESHAV MAHARAJ walks in next! |
| 44.1 : L Kumara to Kock, Back of a length delivery outside off, punched off the back foot behind square on the off side for a brace. |
| 44.2 : L Kumara to Kock, Length delivery outside off, played towards point for a single. |
| 44.3 : L Kumara to Maharaj, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 44.4 : L Kumara to Maharaj, Fullish outside off, driven through covers for a single. |
| 44.5 : L Kumara to Kock, FOUR! Clumsy from Lakmal! On the fuller side of the length outside off, de Kock drives it on the up through covers. The ball bounces just in front of Lakmal at covers and he fails to stop it and the ball races away towards the fence. |
| 44.6 : L Kumara to Kock, Length delivery outside off, cut through backward point for a single. |
| 45.1 : S Lakmal to Kock, FOUR! Fuller on the pads, de Kock with a faint tickle gets it past the diving Chandimal towards the long stop fence for a boundary. |
| 45.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, Wide outside off, angling away, de Kock looks to slap it but ends up doing a swing and a miss. |
| 45.3 : S Lakmal to Kock, Back of a length delivery punched off the back foot through covers for a couple. He looks to be in a hurry over here! |
| 45.4 : S Lakmal to Kock, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 45.5 : S Lakmal to Kock, Fuller on the stumps, clipped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 45.6 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 46.1 : L Kumara to Kock, Full on middle and leg, flicks through mid-wicket for a single. When QdK is out in the middle, one thing is for sure, that the scoreboard will be continuously ticking! |
| 46.2 : L Kumara to Maharaj, FOUR! PUNCHED AWAY! Length delivery outside off, Maharaj gets on his toes and punches it through cover-point for a boundary. |
| 46.3 : L Kumara to Maharaj, Similar delivery, similar shot but after that initial boundary, the fielder has been placed in the deep and the batsmen take a single. |
| 46.4 : L Kumara to Kock, OUT! DE KOCK'S GONE! Back of a length delivery, de Kock looks to punch it through covers on the up but doesn't time it well and ends up outside edging it. The ball goes behind towards Chandimal, who gobbles another simple catch. De Kock is frustrated with himself and kicks the turf. Kumara on the other hand is pumped up and shouts 'yes' very loudly. SOUTH AFRICA NOW LEAD BY 474 RUNS! |
| VERNON PHILANDER is the new man! |
| 46.5 : L Kumara to Philander, Banged in short, angling in, Philander ducks under it. |
| 46.6 : L Kumara to Philander, FOUR! LUCKY BOUNDARY! Philander is off the mark! Length delivery outside off, Philander plays it away from his body and ends up inside edging past the stumps for a boundary through fine leg. |
| 47.1 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, Fuller on the pads, flicked on the leg side for a single. |
| 47.2 : S Lakmal to Philander, Fuller on off, angling in a touch, defended straight back. |
| 47.3 : S Lakmal to Philander, BEATEN! Length delivery wide outside off, there's no need for Philander to go after it but he still goes and is lucky to not have nicked it. |
| 47.4 : S Lakmal to Philander, Full and angling in, driven to mid off. |
| 47.5 : S Lakmal to Philander, OUCH! Length delivery angling in, VP looks to pull it but is early into his shot. The ball goes on to hit him on the abdomen. That must have hurt him! |
| 47.6 : S Lakmal to Philander, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 48.1 : L Kumara to Maharaj, Fuller length delivery around off, defended with a straight bat. |
| 48.2 : L Kumara to K Maharaj, FOUR! PULLED AWAY! Back of a length delivery, Keshav latches onto it and pulls it handsomely through mid-wicket for a boundary. That was some shot! 200 up for RSA! |
| 48.3 : L Kumara to Maharaj, Comes from around the wicket, bangs it in short, KM ducks under it. |
| 48.4 : L Kumara to K Maharaj, Fuller on middle and leg, angling across, driven through mid off for a single. |
| 48.5 : L Kumara to Philander, Short delivery on leg, Philander ducks and lets the ball sail over him. |
| 48.6 : L Kumara to Philander, Length delivery outside leg, Philander works it with one hand through backward square leg for a single. |
| 49.1 : S Lakmal to Philander, Full outside off, angling in, driven to covers. |
| 49.2 : S Lakmal to Philander, Fuller on the stumps, driven dead straight, Lakmal looks to stop it with his feet but misses and the ball goes on to hit the non-striker's end. Maharaj was way out of his crease and is lucky that Lakmal didn't get any touch on that. |
| 49.3 : S Lakmal to Philander, Angling into the batsman, flicked with the angle through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 49.4 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, Full outside off, pushed gently on the off side for a quick single. |
| 49.5 : S Lakmal to Philander, Length delivery outside off, nips back in a touch, VP prods forward to defend it but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Good piece of bowling by Lakmal! |
| 49.6 : S Lakmal to Philander, Length delivery outside off, Philander covers his stumps and leaves it watchfully. |
| Time for the players to have a drinks break! SA looked to play positively and added 69 runs in the 12.1 over played after Lunch. They also lost 3 wickets in the process and now the Lead has swelled to 487 runs and is already way past the record successful run-chase! |
| NUWAN PRADEEP to begin the proceedings after Drinks! |
| 50.1 : N Pradeep to Maharaj, On middle and off, Maharaj stays back and works it towards mid-wicket. |
| 50.2 : N Pradeep to Maharaj, Short and wide outside off, KM looks to slap it but misses. |
| 50.3 : N Pradeep to Maharaj, No ball! Full down the leg side, Maharaj looks to clip it but misses. Chandimal behind the stumps dives full stretch to his left but he too misses and the ball goes towards deep fine leg. The batsmen run through for a couple of byes. No ball signalled for overstepping. So, three runs added to the total. |
| N Pradeep to Maharaj, Short and down the leg side again, Maharaj looks to pull it on its way but misses. This is some wayward stuff from Pradeep! |
| 50.4 : N Pradeep to Maharaj, Banged in short! Maharaj ducks under it! |
| 50.5 : N Pradeep to Maharaj, SIX! THAT'S OUT OF HERE! Banged in short again, this time Maharaj pulls it over mid-wicket for a maximum and it's caught in the crowd. That was hit as cleanly as it could! |
| 50.6 : N Pradeep to Maharaj, Good comeback from Pradeep. Fires in a full angling in delivery, Maharaj gives himself room but is surprised by that delivery and ends up swinging in the air. |
| 51.1 : S Lakmal to Philander, Angling in on the hips, it's worked down to fine leg for a single. |
| 51.2 : S Lakmal to Maharaj, Length ball outside off, played through point for one more. |
| Philander has been adjudged not out for caught behind. However, the Lankan camp doesn't feel the same and have reviewed the decision. |
| 51.3 : S Lakmal to Philander, Not out! A waste of a review really. Nobody was really confident at all but Mathews thought of going with it anyway. Maybe he's thinking that the declaration is close so might as well. Length ball outside off, Philander hangs his bat out to this as the ball goes behind. Some half-hearted appeals for Lakmal and Chandimal for a catch and Mathews reviews it. Replays show there was no edge. |
| 51.4 : S Lakmal to Philander, FOUR! Just about clears the infield. Philanders gives this fuller length ball the full swing of the bat and clears Herath at mid on, who leaps at full stretch to try and take it. It goes over him and races away to the boundary line. |
| 51.5 : S Lakmal to Philander, FOUR! Full on middle and leg, Vernon Philander flicks this ever so well through the mid-wicket region and sends it across the ropes. With that shot, you can see Faf du Plessis come up to the balcony and tell his teammates to come in. SOUTH AFRICA DECLARE ON 224/7! |
| So, Faf has decided this is enough and it's finally time to call it in. Satisfied with what's on the board, he has declared and set a target of 507 in front of the Sri Lankans. |
| Coming out to bat after lunch, South Africa have scored 88 runs in 14.0 overs for the loss of 3 wickets. They lost Bavuma early as he got out unnecessarily, but skipper du Plessis made the intent clear as he started scoring at a brisk rate. Quinton de Kock followed in his footsteps and both kept hitting the ball around. Maharaj and Philander came in and scored some quick runs as well and put their team in a very, very strong position. |
| Sri Lanka bowled well, with Lakmal once again leading the charge. He finished with 4 wickets while Kumara and Herath ended with 1 apiece. The Islanders will now have to dig really deep and bat out of their skins. This is going to be one of the toughest challenges they've faced as a team till now. And it is going to take a real team effort to get something out of this. The run chase is about to begin so don't go anywhere. |
| 0.1 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Abbott gets things going as he starts off from around the wicket, bowls a widish fuller length ball outside off, Karunaratne doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 0.2 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, That one came back in sharply, didn't it? Karunaratne would have had his heart in his mouth surely. The look on Abbott's face says it all. He gets this one to jag back in sharply as Dimuth shoulders his arms to it. Doesn't expect the ball to come back in so sharply. It just whiskers past the off stump. |
| 0.3 : K Abbott to Karunaratne, Waits for the ball to come back in to him this time, it's worked away on the on side for an easy single. |
| 0.4 : K Abbott to Silva, Sprays this down the leg side, Silva looks to flick it down fine but fails to do so. |
| 0.5 : K Abbott to Silva, Pitches this fractionally ahead of a length, on off, Kaushal Silva brings down a straight blade and keeps it out. |
| 0.6 : K Abbott to Silva, Length delivery outside off, left alone to end the over. |
| VERNON PHILANDER to bowl from the other end. He's on a hat-trick here. Remember, he took 2 wickets off the final two balls in the previous innings. |
| 1.1 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Doesn't get it. He comes from around the wicket and hurls this on a length outside off, it's not played at by Dimuth. |
| 1.2 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Fires this on a fullish length and angles it down leg, Karunaratne goes for the flick shot but cannot put bat on ball. |
| 1.3 : V Philander to Karunaratne, FOUR! Nicely done. He works this away through backward square leg with the angle and places it in the gap beautifully. Goes away to the fence and that will be a boundary. |
| 1.4 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Tad fullish in the off stump channel, let through for de Kock to collect in his gloves. |
| 1.5 : V Philander to Karunaratne, On a good length and outside off, Karunaratne raises his bat upwards and lets it be. There's some late movement as the ball goes away from the batsman after passing him. |
| 1.6 : V Philander to Karunaratne, That's cut him in two! Beautiful from Vernon Philander. Angles it in sharply and beats Dimuth Karunaratne completely. Goes right through bat and pad as de Kock shuffles across to his right to take it. |
| 2.1 : K Abbott to Silva, FOUR! Too full and too straight from Abbott and it's been put away. Kaushal Silva closes his body up and with a slightly closed face, flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 2.2 : K Abbott to Silva, Length delivery outside off, Kaushal Silva makes a watchful leave. |
| 2.3 : K Abbott to Silva, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 2.4 : K Abbott to Silva, Stifled shout for an lbw but it was always going down leg. Coming in on middle and leg, raps Silva on the pads as he misses his attempted flick. The umpire correctly doesn't respond to the leg before appeal. |
| 2.5 : K Abbott to Silva, Back of a length outside off, moving in the air after going past the batsman, it's left alone. |
| 2.6 : K Abbott to Silva, Rock solid from Kaushal Silva. He stays right behind the line of this length ball on off and keeps it out solidly with a straight blade. |
| 3.1 : V Philander to D Karunaratne, Muted shout for an lbw. Turned down rightly. Philander looking for the leg before angles this in sharply on a fuller length, catches Dimuth on the pads but not before taking the inside edge. |
| 3.2 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Angling in from around off, on a fullish length, it goes off the inside edge and towards square leg as the batsmen take a single. |
| 3.3 : V Philander to Silva, Fuller ball from Philander, it's defended off the front foot and into the track. |
| 3.4 : V Philander to Silva, On the fuller side once more, it's driven towards mid off for one run. |
| 3.5 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Karunaratne looking rather uncomfortable out there, a contrast to his first innings. It's coming back in heavily on a length, raps him in the box. |
| 3.6 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Back of a length delivery which is defended out off the back foot. That will be the end of the over. |
| 4.1 : K Abbott to K Silva, Superb line from Kyle, bowls this on a length in the corridor of uncertainty, takes the outside edge and falls short of the gully fielder. |
| 4.2 : K Abbott to Silva, Good length ball outside off once more, it's left alone. |
| 4.3 : K Abbott to K Silva, Similar line and length from Kyle Abbott, Kaushal Silva defends this off the outer part of the bat towards gully where the diving fielder makes a good stop and parries it to Bavuma at backward point. He releases the ball in a flash and keeps the batsmen from taking a run. |
| 4.4 : K Abbott to Silva, That's the perfect length to bowl at right now. Full and swinging away outside off, Silva is late in leaving that and ends up getting an inside edge onto his pads before the ball rolls behind towards Quinton de Kock. |
| 4.5 : K Abbott to Silva, Stays right behind the line of this delivery and blocks it solidly. |
| 4.6 : K Abbott to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 5.1 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Philander switches the angle for Karunaratne and comes from over the wicket, pitches this on a length just outside off. The ball comes back in but still goes past the off stump comfortably. Good leave by the southpaw. |
| 5.2 : V Philander to Karunaratne, A bit straighter this time and it's coming back in once more, Karunaratne flicks this away but it's straight to the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 5.3 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Slips this down the leg side, Dimuth looks to flick it away fine but cannot do so. |
| 5.4 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Good carry through to de Kock. It's angled across as DK makes an easy leave. Withdraws his bat and watches it go past him. |
| 5.5 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Oooohhhhh.... That was close. That almost seeped through. Fires this up there as it's coming back in, DK gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls towards the slip cordon. Almost got him. |
| 5.6 : V Philander to Karunaratne, OUT! HE'S GOT 'EM! Set himself nicely by changing the angle and varying the lengths too. Teed him up with a couple of short ones, then went full. Almost got him on the previous delivery as well. Have to admire the strategy. Philander fires in a fuller inswinging delivery and bowls it around off, Dimuth Karunaratne goes for the expansive drive but gets an inside edge which shatters the leg stump and sends it flying out of its roots. An early breakthrough for Phil |
| KUSAL MENDIS walks in at no. 3! |
| 6.1 : K Abbott to Silva, Sprays this down the leg side, on a fuller length, Silva with an attempted flick which misses. |
| 6.2 : K Abbott to Silva, Good length delivery moving away outside off, Silva chooses not to do anything about it. |
| 6.3 : K Abbott to Silva, Uppish from Kaushal Silva but it's in the gap. Closes his body up a bit and flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 6.4 : K Abbott to Silva, Abbott is swinging this away from the batsman, darts this just outside off as Silva makes a late leave. Needs to be careful here, he could just as easily drag this back on. |
| 6.5 : K Abbott to Silva, Angles this one in on off, KS keeps bat and pad close together to present a tight defensive shot. |
| 6.6 : K Abbott to Silva, Fuller ball aiming the base of off stump, met with a straight blade to end the over. |
| 7.1 : V Philander to Mendis, Full ball from Vernon Philander, it's blocked in front of short cover by Mendis. |
| 7.2 : V Philander to K Mendis, Good shape on that and it's decently kept out by Kusal Mendis. He plays this with a slightly closed face as the ball twists in his hands when he is just about to play the shot. Hit back down the track for no run. |
| 7.3 : V Philander to Mendis, Back of a length, straightening up after pitching, Kusal Mendis leaves it alone. |
| 7.4 : V Philander to K Mendis, FOUR! Top shot. He drives this on the up but it's hit nicely in the gap. Mendis needs to be a little careful, these are dangerous shots to play though, especially just before the break. Full and swinging away wide outside off, reaches out to this and hits it over cover-point for a boundary. |
| Philander is having some problem with the ball and has asked the umpire to clean it a bit with his instruments. |
| 7.5 : V Philander to Mendis, Excellent shape, lovely from Vernon Philander. And credit to Mendis as well for staying disciplined. Back of a length just around off, going away, the 21-year old leaves it alone. |
| 7.6 : V Philander to Mendis, Pounds the deck hard and keeps it on the shorter side, on off, cramping the batsman for room. But Mendis does well to hang back, rise and keep it down on the track. That will be TEA ON DAY 3! |
| The hosts after making the visitors bat for the half an hour before tea sent Karunaratne packing and are now well and truly ahead in the match. They came after lunch all guns blazing, fired away some quick runs and declared their innings, setting a target of 507 for the Islanders. |
| After setting such a huge total, they came up with the goods with the ball and got rid of the opening partnership which lasted the longest in the first innings. Now, SA need only 9 wickets more to win with 7 session still remaining. The Lankans will now have to bat in the tricky twilight time, making it all the more difficult. We will be back in a short while for the last session of day 3. |
| ... DAY 3, SESSION 3 ... |
| The players are back in the middle for the final session of day 3. Kusal Mendis and Kaushal Silva will continue to bat. KAGISO RABADA to start the proceedings with the ball. |
| 8.1 : K Rabada to Silva, Full outside off, Silva leans into the shot and drives it through covers for three runs. |
| 8.2 : K Rabada to Mendis, Full and angling in, Mendis shuffles a touch and flicks it uppishly but the ball goes one bounce in the hands of mid-wicket fielder. |
| 8.3 : K Rabada to Mendis, Back of a length delivery outside off, tapped towards backward point. |
| 8.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, Angling down leg, KM looks to tuck it but misses. |
| 8.5 : K Rabada to Mendis, Angling down leg once more, Kusal looks to flick it but once again misses it. |
| 8.6 : K Rabada to Mendis, Fuller and angling in on the stumps, Mendis defends it solidly on the leg side. |
| Kusal Mendis seems to be in some discomfort and the physio has come out in the middle to help him with some stretching exercises. |
| VERNON PHILANDER to continue from the other end. |
| 9.1 : V Philander to K Silva, Full and angling in, Silva looks to defend it with the angle but gets squared up as the ball moves away a touch. The leading edge takes the ball through the gap between the slip cordon and gully. Duminy gives it a chase and keeps it down to two. |
| 9.2 : V Philander to Silva, Full outside off, shaping away, driven straight back for three runs. |
| 9.3 : V Philander to Mendis, OUT! Philander has struck once again! Full outside off, drawing Mendis into a drive. The youngster looks to drive it on the up but pays the price for it as the ball moves away, catches the outside edge and flies straight to Elgar at third slip. Lack of experience from Mendis! SA NEED 8 WICKETS MORE TO WIN! |
| DHANANJAYA DE SILVA is in at No.4. |
| 9.4 : V Philander to Silva, Full outside off, driven straight back. Philander grabs the ball and hurls a throw immediately at the striker's end. Silva at the non-striker's end goes down on the ground as soon as de Silva hits it. |
| 9.5 : V Philander to Silva, Banged in short, de Silva ducks under it. |
| 9.6 : V Philander to Silva, Length delivery outside off, de Silva looks to defend but the ball goes off the outer half of the bat to gully. |
| 10.1 : K Rabada to Silva, Full and angling in, flicked on the leg side for a single. |
| 10.2 : K Rabada to Silva, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 10.3 : K Rabada to Silva, Angling into the stumps, flicked through mid-wicket for three runs. |
| 10.4 : K Rabada to Silva, Down the leg side, Kaushal looks to clip it but misses and the ball goes in the gloves of keeper behind. As the ball goes past him there's some sound which makes SA appeal in unison but Faf isn't appealing and rightly so as seen in the replay that it went off the pad. |
| 10.5 : K Rabada to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 10.6 : K Rabada to Silva, Leg bye! Full and angling in once again, Silva looks to flick but misses and the ball goes off the pads past short leg and the batsmen run through for a leg bye. |
| 11.1 : V Philander to K Silva, Length delivery outside off, KS prods forward in defence but edges it into the ground towards gully. Playing with soft hands saved him there! |
| 11.2 : V Philander to Silva, Full outside off, pushed to covers for a brace. |
| 11.3 : V Philander to Silva, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 11.4 : V Philander to Silva, Length delivery outside off, Kaushal draws out of the shot at the last moment. That was really close! |
| 11.5 : V Philander to Silva, Length delivery outside off, Silva looks to defend it off the front foot but gets beaten as the ball shapes away! |
| 11.6 : V Philander to Silva, BEATEN AGAIN! On a length outside off, moving away, KS once again looks to defend it with a straight bat, this time the gap between the bat and the ball is even lesser than the previous one. |
| 12.1 : K Rabada to Silva, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 12.2 : K Rabada to Silva, Back of a length delivery outside off, DdS looks to punch it on the up but the ball rises a touch extra and beats de Silva on his punch. |
| 12.3 : K Rabada to Silva, Great stuff from Rabada! Back of a length delivery, angling in, nips back in sharply, beats de Silva and hits him on the thigh pad. |
| 12.4 : K Rabada to Silva, Length delivery outside off, defended off the back foot. |
| 12.5 : K Rabada to Silva, FOUR BYES! Banged in short, takes off after pitching, Dhananjaya ducks under it and lets it sail through. The ball even beats de Kock behind the stumps and races away to the fence behind. |
| 12.6 : K Rabada to Silva, Fuller on the stumps, driven to mid on. |
| KYLE ABBOTT replaces Philander. |
| 13.1 : K Abbott to K Silva, FOUR! Full outside off, driven beautifully through mid off for a boundary. That was a well-balanced shot! |
| 13.2 : K Abbott to Silva, Length delivery outside off, Kaushal leans ahead and defends. |
| 13.3 : K Abbott to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 13.4 : K Abbott to Silva, Outside off, left alone. |
| 13.5 : K Abbott to Silva, Fuller on the stumps, defended watchfully by Kaushal. |
| 13.6 : K Abbott to Silva, On the stumps, defended with a straight bat. |
| 14.1 : K Rabada to Silva, Full outside off, de Silva stays in his crease and elegantly pushes through covers. Maharaj chases it and saves a run for his team. |
| 14.2 : K Rabada to Silva, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 14.3 : K Rabada to Silva, Angling into the pads, clipped through the leg side for a couple. |
| 14.4 : K Rabada to Silva, Pitched outside off, left alone. |
| 14.5 : K Rabada to Silva, Back of a length outside off, bounces a touch extra. Kaushal looks to punch it on the up but once again is beaten by the extra bounce. |
| 14.6 : K Rabada to Silva, Angling down leg, Silva looks to clip it but misses. Kaushal should be more careful and not go after such wide deliveries. |
| 15.1 : K Abbott to Silva, On a length outside off, shaping away, an easy leave for the batsman. |
| 15.2 : K Abbott to Silva, Length delivery angling in, defended with the angle on the leg side. |
| 15.3 : K Abbott to Silva, Pitched on a length outside off, Dhananjaya stays composed in his defence. |
| 15.4 : K Abbott to Silva, That was a very risky leave! Pitched on a good length outside off, nips back in, DdS covers his stumps and shoulders his arms. He too gets surprised by that inward movement off the seam. |
| 15.5 : K Abbott to Silva, Another close leave outside off but this time de Silva is more sure about it. |
| 15.6 : K Abbott to Silva, Outside off, de Silva with another leave to end the over. |
| 16.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, Tossed up around off, driven through covers for a single. |
| 16.2 : K Maharaj to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 16.3 : K Maharaj to Silva, SIX! WHAT A SHOT! Tossed up on middle, Dhananjaya gets to the pitch of the ball and launches it straight down the ground for a huge maximum. |
| 16.4 : K Maharaj to Silva, Darted in on middle and leg, defended from within the crease. |
| 16.5 : K Maharaj to Silva, FOUR! Short delivery outside off, de Silva camps back and cuts it through cover-point for a boundary. |
| 16.6 : K Maharaj to Silva, Sliding into the pads, defended near the surface. |
| 17.1 : K Abbott to Silva, Length delivery outside off, Kaushal first looks to play at it but then decides to leave it at the last moment. It's too late for the leave and the ball goes off the inside edge through his legs. He is lucky not to have dragged it back to his own stumps! |
| 17.2 : K Abbott to Silva, Outside off, left alone. |
| 17.3 : K Abbott to Silva, Length delivery outside off, Silva prods forward and shoulders his arms. |
| 17.4 : K Abbott to Silva, On a length outside off, Silva hangs his bat and the ball goes off the outer half of the bat into the ground and to Duminy at gully. He dives to his right but only manages to half-stop it, allowing the batsmen to run through for a single. |
| 17.5 : K Abbott to Silva, Full on off, the batsman has driven it straight down the ground. They pick up a single. |
| 17.6 : K Abbott to Silva, Back of a length outside off, shapes away, Kaushal draws out of the shot once again at the very last moment. |
| 18.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, On leg, defended by clearing the front leg. |
| 18.2 : K Maharaj to Silva, Tossed up on the stumps, driven to mid off. |
| 18.3 : K Maharaj to Silva, Floated on middle and off, de Silva prods forward in defence. |
| 18.4 : K Maharaj to Silva, De Silva stays solid in his defence to the outside off delivery. |
| 18.5 : K Maharaj to Silva, Outside off, spinning in, defended from within the crease. |
| 18.6 : K Maharaj to Silva, Tossed up nicely outside off, Dhananjaya dead-bats it near the surface. |
| 19.1 : K Abbott to Silva, Fuller and angled in onto the stumps, dug out nicely by KS. |
| 19.2 : K Abbott to Silva, Pitched outside off, Kaushal lets it through to the keeper. |
| 19.3 : K Abbott to Silva, On off, angling in, Silva blocks it off the front foot to covers. |
| 19.4 : K Abbott to Silva, On a good length outside off, angling in, Kaushal is sure of his off pole and does a brave leave. |
| 19.5 : K Abbott to Silva, Fuller around off, KS shuffles a touch and drives it to mid on. |
| 19.6 : K Abbott to Silva, Angling into stumps, defended solidly straight down the ground. |
| 20.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, Very full on off, dug out nicely. |
| 20.2 : K Maharaj to Silva, Flatter one on the stumps, defended from within the crease. |
| 20.3 : K Maharaj to Silva, Tossed up around off, driven to long on for a single. |
| 20.4 : K Maharaj to K Silva, Full outside off, driven to covers. |
| 20.5 : K Maharaj to Silva, Tossed up outside off, Silva charges down and drives it but once again finds the same fielder at covers. |
| 20.6 : K Maharaj to Silva, Slower through the air on middle and leg, KS dances down and places it through widish mid on for a single. |
| KAGISO RABADA is back into the attack. |
| 21.1 : K Rabada to Silva, Full outside off, Kaushal looks to drive it but ends up digging it out off the inner half of the bat towards short leg. |
| 21.2 : K Rabada to Silva, Outside off, left alone. |
| 21.3 : K Rabada to Silva, Angling down leg, Silva leaves it. |
| 21.4 : K Rabada to Silva, Pitched outside off, Kaushal Silva opts to leave it. |
| 21.5 : K Rabada to Silva, Fullish outside off, KS looks to steer it but the ball bounce more than he expects, goes off the higher part of the bat and the bottom hand comes out while playing the shot. The ball goes uppishly and falls just short of Bavuma at point making it difficult to stop. The ball then runs behind. Duminy from gully chases it and keeps it down to two. |
| 21.6 : K Rabada to Silva, Banged in short, Silva lets it sail through. |
| Drinks break! Kaushal Silva has a change of grip for his bat in the break. |
| 22.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, Tossed up on middle and off, defended off the front foot. |
| 22.2 : K Maharaj to Silva, Outside off, blocked on the off side. |
| 22.3 : K Maharaj to Silva, Quicker through the air, de Silva dances down and pads it away. Maharaj starts appealing but is turned down by the umpire. |
| 22.4 : K Maharaj to Silva, Tossed up on the stumps, driven to mid off. |
| 22.5 : K Maharaj to Silva, The batsman dances down the track but decides to defend it. |
| 22.6 : K Maharaj to Silva, FOUR! De Silva dances down and smashes it straight down the ground for a boundary. Good use of the feet there! |
| 23.1 : K Rabada to Silva, Outside off, left alone. |
| 23.2 : K Rabada to Silva, OUT! RABADA WITH THE BREAKTHROUGH! Back of a length delivery, angling into the body, Kaushal Silva looks to tuck it with the angle down the leg side but the ball rises onto him and balloons off the gloves in the air. Cook at short leg gets under the ball and takes it cleanly. Silva's resistance comes to an end! That's the end of the 41-run partnership. SA NEED 7 WICKETS MORE TO WIN! |
| The skipper, ANGELO MATHEWS walks in, replacing Silva. |
| 23.3 : K Rabada to Mathews, BEATEN! Great delivery first up! Full outside off, Mathews leans into the shot, looking to play it with a straight bat but the ball moves away a touch and beats the outside edge of the skipper's bat. |
| 23.4 : K Rabada to Mathews, Full and angling in, flicked on the leg side. |
| 23.5 : K Rabada to Mathews, Two Byes! Banged in short, Mathews ducks under it. De Kock behind the stumps also fails to grab it. However, he half stops it, slowing down the ball. The batsmen run through for two byes! |
| 23.6 : K Rabada to Mathews, Length delivery angling in, defended with soft hands near short leg for a quick single. |
| 24.1 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Fuller on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 24.2 : K Maharaj to Mathews, On middle and leg, flicked on the leg side. |
| 24.3 : K Maharaj to Mathews, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 24.4 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Floated around off, Mathews prods forward in defence. |
| 24.5 : K Maharaj to A Mathews, Landed around off, spinning away, Mathews looks to defend with a straight bat but gets squared up and goes off the outside edge towards backward point. |
| 24.6 : K Maharaj to Mathews, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 25.1 : K Rabada to Silva, Outside off, left alone! |
| 25.2 : K Rabada to Silva, Length delivery angling in, defended off the back foot. |
| 25.3 : K Rabada to Silva, OUT! RABADA STRIKES ONCE AGAIN! Full and angling in, de Silva yorks himself while looking to play across the line but is late into the shot and is rapped up on the pads on the full. Rabada and co. appeal and umpire Tucker raises his finger in agreement. De Silva goes towards his skipper and to discuss on whether or not to take the review and his skipper says not to take it. In the end, it proves to be a poor decision as the Hawk Eye shows that the ball was going down le |
| 25.4 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Banged in short, Chandimal lest it go to the keeper. |
| 25.5 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Full outside off, DC looks to drive it but is playing the wrong line and the ball whistles past the outside edge of the bat. |
| 25.6 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 26.1 : K Maharaj to Mathews, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 26.2 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Flatter one outside off, AM looks to sweep it but misses and gets hit on the pad. The fielding side appeals but umpire Dar says not out. It's a good decision as the Hawk Eye shows that the impact was outside off. |
| 26.3 : K Maharaj to A Mathews, Full on the stumps, driven to silly mid on. Faf is the man present there. he stops the ball and hurls a throw towards his keeper in aggression. |
| 26.4 : K Maharaj to Mathews, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 26.5 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Fuller on off, driven through mid on. Faf at silly mid on misfields and allows the batsmen to take a single. |
| 26.6 : K Maharaj to Chandimal, Sliding down leg, DC looks to flick but misses and is rapped up on the pads. |
| 27.1 : K Rabada to A Mathews, Length delivery, shaping away a touch, Mathews looks to steer it but goes off the outside edge towards point for a single. |
| 27.2 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Full outside off, driven to mid off. |
| 27.3 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Angling down leg, worked down the leg side for a single. |
| 27.4 : K Rabada to Mathews, Back of a length delivery outside off, Mathews gets on his toes and blocks it. |
| 27.5 : K Rabada to Mathews, Full and angling in, Mathews gets his bat down in time and defends it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 27.6 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Four Leg byes! Down the leg side, DC looks to clip it but misses and the ball goes off the pads, beating de Kock towards the fence behind. Leg byes signalled! |
| 28.1 : K Maharaj to Mathews, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 28.2 : K Maharaj to Mathews, FOUR! Mathews gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it over widish mid off for a boundary. Good shot! |
| 28.3 : K Maharaj to Mathews, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 28.4 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Fuller on the stumps, driven to long on for a single. |
| 28.5 : K Maharaj to Chandimal, Tossed up outside off, defended to covers. |
| 28.6 : K Maharaj to Chandimal, Tossed up around leg, Chandimal clears his front leg and drives it to long on for a single. Philander present there hurls a throw on the non-striker's end . There's no backing up and the ball goes towards the other side. Abbott does the covering up. Till then, batsmen run through for a couple on the overthrow. Three runs added to the total! |
| 29.1 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Fullish delivery attacking the stumps, Chandimal comes forward and defends it to the covers. |
| 29.2 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Bowls it just a back of a length outside off, Chandimal points his bat skywards and allows it through. |
| 29.3 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Rabada has his tail up here! Back of a length outside off and gets this one to lift exceedingly from the pitch. Dinesh drops his wrists and leaves it alone. |
| 29.4 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Hurls this one wider outside off, Chandimal doesn't fiddle with that one. |
| 29.5 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Slips this one down the leg side and it's swinging further down, easy leave for Chandimal. |
| 29.6 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Fullish ball on off, driven firmly towards Rabada who half-stops it on his followthrough. |
| 30.1 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Slow through the air outside off, Mathews comes forward and defends it to the off side. |
| 30.2 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Tossed up outside off, Mathews drives it hard towards Faf at silly mid off. He dives athletically to his left and makes a brilliant save. Hurls a throw back to the keeper. Top stuff from the skipper! |
| 30.3 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Shortens his length and bowls it around off, spinning away. Mathews looks to sweep it but is struck on the forearm. |
| 30.4 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Mathews drives this one with the spin to mid off. |
| 30.5 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Shortens his length again, Mathews looks to sweep it hard but misses and his hit on the right shoulder. |
| 30.6 : K Maharaj to Mathews, FOUR! SHOT! Bowls this one shorter and wide outside off, Angelo camps back and cuts it hard through point for a superb boundary. |
| 31.1 : K Rabada to Chandimal, On a length on off, Chandimal leans forward and blocks it. |
| 31.2 : K Rabada to Chandimal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 31.3 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Camps back and defends this one nicely. |
| 31.4 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Dug in short on middle and leg, Chandimal ducks under it. |
| 31.5 : K Rabada to Chandimal, FOUR! He is getting his deliveries to curve back nicely. Bowls this one very fullish at 143.6 and it's tailing back in, Dinesh clips it through mid-wicket and gets a boundary to his name. |
| 31.6 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Fullish outside off, driven to the covers. |
| 32.1 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Fullish delivery on the stumps, Mathews opts to stay back and defends it towards short fine leg for a single. He should have played that on the front foot. |
| 32.2 : K Maharaj to Chandimal, Bowls a loopy delivery, Chandimal comes down the track and clips it towards the man at short mid-wicket. he fumbles a bit and parries it towards mid on. A run taken! |
| 32.3 : K Maharaj to Mathews, UPPISH BUT SAFE! Bowls a flighted delivery around leg stump, Mathews looks to sweep it against the spin but gets a top edge that balloons towards the vacant short fine leg region. Three runs taken! |
| 32.4 : K Maharaj to Chandimal, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 32.5 : K Maharaj to Chandimal, Camps back to the shortish delivery and punches it through cover-point for a run. |
| 32.6 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Fullish delivery on off, driven down the ground to mid on. |
| VERNON PHILANDER comes back for a bowl. Can he strike? |
| 33.1 : V Philander to Chandimal, FOUR! WELL PLAYED! Bowls a shortish delivery outside off, Dinesh camps back and punches it nicely through the covers and the ball races to the fence. |
| 33.2 : V Philander to Chandimal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 33.3 : V Philander to Chandimal, Fullish delivery tailing back in, clipped gently to mid-wicket. |
| 33.4 : V Philander to Chandimal, This time Chandimal gets right behind the line of the delivery and defends it. |
| 33.5 : V Philander to Chandimal, Short of a length ball on off, Chandimal is opened up in his stance but manages to play it with an angled blade towards point. |
| 33.6 : V Philander to Chandimal, Similar length ball angling in, defended off the back foot to the on side. |
| 34.1 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Comes down the track and defends it towards mid off. |
| 34.2 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Loopy ball outside off, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 34.3 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Flighted delivery outside off, Mathews prods forward in defense. |
| 34.4 : K Maharaj to Mathews, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 34.5 : K Maharaj to Mathews, FOUR! Bowls a loopy ball on middle, Mathews sweeps it against the spin and gets it through the vacant deep backward leg region. Gets a boundary to his name. The partnership moves on to 34 off 55 balls. |
| 34.6 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Camps back to the shorter delivery and defends it down the pitch. |
| 35.1 : V Philander to Chandimal, On a length on leg stump, Chandimal clips it towards mid-wicket and immediately calls for a run. Mathews is ball watching but finally gets going. Completes the single safely in the end. |
| 35.2 : V Philander to Mathews, LOOSE SHOT! Bowls a shortish delivery wide outside off, Mathew slashes at it hard but gets beaten. |
| 35.3 : V Philander to Mathews, Stays back to the length delivery and defends it to the off side. |
| 35.4 : V Philander to Mathews, GREAT BOWLING BY PHILANDER! Bowls it on a length on off, shapes away a touch. Mathews is squared up as he looks to work it across but gets hit on the thigh pad. |
| 35.5 : V Philander to Mathews, THERE IS NO NEED TO TAKE SUCH RISKS! This time Mathews clips it with soft hands towards square leg and sets off for a run. The substitute fielder gets across to it in a flash and hurls in a throw at the striker's end but misses. Chandimal had to rush back in to get home. |
| 35.6 : V Philander to Chandimal, Fuller length ball outside off, Dinesh comes forward and pushes it nicely through the covers. Two runs taken! |
| KYLE ABBOTT comes into the attack! |
| 36.1 : K Abbott to Mathews, Length delivery outside off, defended into the surface on toes. |
| 36.2 : K Abbott to Mathews, Length delivery outside off, punched off the back foot straight down the ground. Abbott fails to stop it on his follow through so does Rabada who comes running in from mid on. Till the time Rabada tidies up, the batsmen run through for three runs. |
| 36.3 : K Abbott to Chandimal, Angling into the pads, DC looks to work it on the leg side but misses and gets hit on the thigh pad. |
| 36.4 : K Abbott to Chandimal, Outside off, left alone. |
| 36.5 : K Abbott to D Chandimal, Fullish delivery outside off, Chandimal prods forward in defence but the ball goes off the outside edge past third slip. Duminy from gully chases it down and cuts it before the fence. Three runs taken! |
| 36.6 : K Abbott to Mathews, Length delivery, angling in, defended off the back foot. |
| 37.1 : V Philander to Chandimal, Full and angling in, Chandimal looks to flick it but misses and is hit on the pads. |
| 37.2 : V Philander to Chandimal, Length delivery angling in, keeps a touch low, Chandimal does well to bring the bat down in time and defend on the leg side. |
| 37.3 : V Philander to Chandimal, Fuller on the pads, clipped through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 50-run partnership between Mathews and Chandimal! |
| 37.4 : V Philander to Chandimal, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 37.5 : V Philander to Chandimal, On middle and off, Chandimal defends it off the front foot. |
| 37.6 : V Philander to Chandimal, Full outside off, Chandimal leans and pushes it through covers for a couple. |
| 38.1 : K Abbott to Mathews, Back of a length delivery outside off, Mathews gets on his toes and defends it on the leg side. |
| 38.2 : K Abbott to Mathews, Full outside off, Mathews prods forward and blocks it. |
| 38.3 : K Abbott to Mathews, That's a ripper! Banged in short outside off, angles it closer to Mathews' body. The Lankan skipper does extremely well to lean back and let it sail through. |
| 38.4 : K Abbott to Mathews, Banged in short again, this time Mathews sees it early and ducks under it. |
| 38.5 : K Abbott to Mathews, FOUR! Beautiful drive! Full outside off, driven straight back by Mathews. Rabada from mid on gives it a chase but the ball beats him easily. |
| 38.6 : K Abbott to Mathews, Back of a length delivery angling in, Mathews hops and looks to play it across the line but gets beaten and is hit on the abdomen. |
| 39.1 : V Philander to D Chandimal, Length delivery outside off, Dinesh looks to defend it off the front foot but the ball shapes away and goes off the outside edge into the ground and towards gully. |
| 39.2 : V Philander to Chandimal, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 39.3 : V Philander to Chandimal, Outside off, left alone! |
| 39.4 : V Philander to Chandimal, Fullish delivery outside off, Chandimal presses forward and pushes it to covers. |
| 39.5 : V Philander to Chandimal, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 39.6 : V Philander to Chandimal, No ball! On the fuller side of the length on off, DC keeps it down on the off side. No ball signalled for overstepping. |
| V Philander to Chandimal, FOUR! Full outside off, driven through covers for a boundary. That's a fine way to end the day as the umpire takes the bails off. STUMPS ON DAY 3! |
| An unbeaten 61-run stand between skipper Mathews and vice-captain Chandimal sees the last session off safely and makes sure that there will be play on day 4 also. However, it was South Africa's day. They came in to bat and set a huge target of 507 in front of the Lankans. |
| They put SL in to bat just before tea and got what they wanted by sending Karunaratne packing before the break. They started the last session in the same bright fashion as they saw the back of Mendis immediately. Both of these wickets were taken by Philander. Rabada then followed his footsteps and got himself all pumped up and took the next 2 Lankan wickets. |
| Sri Lanka once more had a day to forget as they let SA score freely and then lost 4 wickets before the end of day's play. However, one of the wickets, that of Dhananjaya de Silva could have been avoided if they had reviewed it. Now, they will rely on the two current batsmen to make their experience count and perform a miracle to chase a record total down. |
| The Proteas are just 6 wickets away from their victory or one can say that if they break the current partnership, they will have one hand on the trophy. Will we see the South African bowlers clean them up ASAP? Or will there be an inspired fightback from the Islanders? To get to know about it join us tomorrow at 1400 IST. Till then, take care! |
| ... DAY 4, SESSION 1 ... |
| Hello and a warm welcome for the 4th day of this second Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka. With the hosts being in a commanding position, it's only a matter of time before this match is won and the series is sealed. Unless, of course, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal pull off something miraculous. The entire onus will be on them and now, with just 6 wickets left, the two experienced campaigners must step up like they have never before. |
| Faf du Plessis must have surely told his men to wrap things up quickly. Having some good rest in the night and the ball moving about some early in the day, they'll back themselves to do just that. Let's see how this day plays out. |
| The players are out in the middle. ANGELO MATHEWS and DINESH CHANDIMAL to fight it out for Sri Lanka. KYLE ABBOTT with the ball in his hands. He will be keen to be amongst the wickets. Here we go... |
| 40.1 : K Abbott to Mathews, Length delivery outside off, Mathews shoulders his arms. |
| 40.2 : K Abbott to Mathews, Back of a length delivery outside off, punched off the back foot to covers. |
| 40.3 : K Abbott to Mathews, FOUR! EDGY BOUNDARY! On the fuller side of the length, Mathews looks to defend it off the front foot but the ball reverses a bit, shapes away and goes off the outside edge from between point and gully to the deep backward point fence. |
| 40.4 : K Abbott to Mathews, Length delivery outside off, defended off the back foot. |
| 40.5 : K Abbott to Mathews, BEATEN! On a length in the corridor of uncertainty, Mathews hangs his bat in defence and the ball whizzes past the outside edge. Good shape on that by Abbott! |
| 40.6 : K Abbott to Mathews, Length delivery, angling in, defended on the off side. |
| KAGISO RABADA to bowl from the other end. |
| 41.1 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Length delivery, angling down leg, tucked off the hips towards deep backward square leg for a single. |
| 41.2 : K Rabada to Mathews, Mathews is beaten again! Full delivery outside off, Mathews looks to defend it off the front foot but is beaten in his defence once more this morning. The ball keeps a touch low too! That will create doubts in the batsman's mind. |
| 41.3 : K Rabada to Mathews, Outside off, Mathews wisely leaves it. |
| 41.4 : K Rabada to Mathews, Full outside off, angling in, Mathews covers his stumps and turns it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 41.5 : K Rabada to Chandimal, On a length outside off, arms shouldered by DC. |
| 41.6 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Full around off angling in, Chandimal gets behind the line of the delivery and plays it towards widish mid off. |
| 42.1 : K Abbott to Mathews, On the fuller side of the length outside off, Mathews looks to push it but is early into the shot as the ball holds a touch after pitching. The ball goes uppishly from the left of Abbott and through mid off for a couple. |
| 42.2 : K Abbott to Mathews, Angling in, defended on the leg side. |
| 42.3 : K Abbott to Mathews, Length delivery outside off, defended with a straight bat. |
| 42.4 : K Abbott to Mathews, Back of a length delivery outside off, Mathews defends it on the surface off the back foot. |
| 42.5 : K Abbott to Mathews, Angling into the pads, flicked front of square on the leg side. |
| 42.6 : K Abbott to Mathews, On a length outside off, Mathews looks to defend it off the front foot but the ball bounces a touch extra and hits the bat on the higher part, jerking Mathews. |
| 43.1 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Length delivery outside off, angling in, defended solidly. |
| 43.2 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Chandimal plays it with the angle through widish mid off for a single. |
| 43.3 : K Rabada to Mathews, Banged in short, Mathews ducks and lets it sail over! |
| 43.4 : K Rabada to Mathews, Length delivery outside off, Mathews defends it off the outer half of his bat towards cover-point. |
| 43.5 : K Rabada to Mathews, Back of a length delivery, angling in, Mathews rises on his toes and defends it with soft hands towards short mid-wicket. Takes off for a quick single and completes it. |
| 43.6 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Low full toss on off, driven to Philander at short widish mid on. Failed to get that away! |
| 44.1 : K Abbott to Mathews, Fuller around off, angling in a touch, defended straight back. |
| 44.2 : K Abbott to Mathews, Length delivery angling in from outside off, Mathews covers his stumps and defends it towards short leg. Abbott is keeping it tight and giving nothing away! |
| 44.3 : K Abbott to Mathews, Outside off, AM remains composed in defence. |
| 44.4 : K Abbott to Mathews, Once again Mathews feels the jerk and removes the bottom hand on connecting with the ball. Length delivery outside off, Mathews looks to defend it off the front foot but the ball rises a touch and hits him high on the bat. |
| 44.5 : K Abbott to Mathews, A silly point is in place now! But, Abbott angles this in and Mathews defends it on the leg side from within the crease. |
| 44.6 : K Abbott to A Mathews, FOUR! STAND AND DELIVER! Full outside off, Mathews stays tall in his crease and pushes it uppishly through mid off for a boundary. It's the safest place to play such shots as the player is placed wide. |
| 45.1 : K Rabada to Chandimal, OUT! RABADA WITH THE BREAKTHROUGH! Just the start SA wanted! Full and angling in, Chandimal clips it uppishly off his pads straight to Cook, who is placed just in front of square on the leg side. Great captaincy by Faf to place Cook in that position. Rabada continues his impressive spell with the ball! That's the break of 75-run partnership! SA ARE 5 WICKETS SHY OF THE VICTORY! |
| 0.0 : UPUL THARANGA is the new man! 3 slips, a leg slip and a short leg in place for him! |
| 45.2 : K Rabada to Tharanga, FOUR! Good start to the innings by Tharanga! Angling away from the southpaw, Tharanga opens the face of his bat and guides it through the gap between the slip cordon and gully for a boundary. No ball signalled as well as Rabada overstepped his line. |
| K Rabada to Tharanga, Rabada changes his angle, comes from around the wicket, angles it in from a length outside off, Tharanga looks to play it across the line but misses and gets hit on the thigh pad. |
| 45.3 : K Rabada to Tharanga, FOUR! A touch fuller outside off, Tharanga drives beautifully on the up through covers for a boundary. That's a spectacular shot and all the commentators on air are full of praise for it! |
| 45.4 : K Rabada to Tharanga, FOUR! Similar shot, same result! Fullish delivery outside off, this time Upul stays in his crease and drives it on the up through covers for a boundary. |
| 45.5 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Full outside off, Tharanga gets down on one knee and looks to go for another expansive drive but miscues it and the ball goes off the inside half of the bat towards mid on. |
| 45.6 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Back of a length delivery, angling in, defended off the back foot. |
| 46.1 : K Abbott to A Mathews, Fuller length outside off, pushed to silly mid off. |
| 46.2 : K Abbott to A Mathews, EDGED BUT FELL SHORT! Slightly fuller outside off, Mathews looks to defend by prodding forward but edges it but it goes one bounce into the hands of second slip. Playing with soft hands saved him there! |
| 46.3 : K Abbott to Mathews, FOUR! Straight down the ground! Full outside off, driven straight back for a boundary. Well-balanced shot! |
| 46.4 : K Abbott to Mathews, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Full on the pads, clipped beautifully through mid-wicket for a boundary. Runs are flowing here for SL! |
| 46.5 : K Abbott to Mathews, Length delivery outside off, defended from within the crease. |
| 46.6 : K Abbott to Mathews, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 47.1 : K Rabada to Tharanga, OUT! RABADA STRIKES AGAIN! Pitched on a good length around off, angling across, Tharanga looks to cut. However, the length isn't short enough to cut and pays the price. The ball catches the bottom edge and goes in the gloves of de Kock, who doesn't make any mistakes. One shot too many for Tharanga got the better of him in the end! SA NEED 4 WICKETS TO WIN! |
| 0.0 : RANGANA HERATH walks in, replacing Tharanga. |
| 47.2 : K Rabada to Herath, Back of a length delivery outside off, punched through covers. Herath wants a single and takes off but is sent back by his skipper. |
| 47.3 : K Rabada to Herath, On the pads, flicked on the leg side. |
| 47.4 : K Rabada to Herath, Shortish delivery, angling in, pulled through square leg for a single. |
| 47.5 : K Rabada to Mathews, Length delivery outside off, defended off the back foot. |
| 47.6 : K Rabada to Mathews, OUT! 5-FER FOR RABADA! SKIPPER DEPARTS! Length delivery outside off, Mathews looks to play it on the up but away from his body. Lack of foot movement there and gets the SL skipper in trouble as the ball moves away touch and also rises a little extra. The ball goes off the outside edge in the gloves of de Kock. It's similar to his first innings' dismissal. Double blow from Rabada in an over! |
| 5th Test 5-fer for Kagiso Rabada. |
| SURANGA LAKMAL Is the new man in! |
| 48.1 : K Abbott to Herath, Outside off, driven to covers. |
| 48.2 : K Abbott to R Herath, Shortish delivery, pulled aerially through right of Cook at short leg for a single. |
| 48.3 : K Abbott to Lakmal, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 48.4 : K Abbott to Lakmal, On a length and angling in, Lakmal looks to play it across the line but is late in his shot and the ball beats the bat and hits him high on the pads. Abbott appeals looking for his first wicket of the match but the umpire is unmoved. Abbott isn't too disappointed with the decision as he knows it's a touch high and goes back to his bowling mark. |
| 48.5 : K Abbott to Lakmal, FOUR! Superb shot! Full and angling in, Lakmal leans into the shot and drives it through mid on for a boundary. |
| 48.6 : K Abbott to Lakmal, Fired in fuller on the stumps, Lakmal does well to dig it out. |
| 49.1 : K Rabada to Herath, short delivery again to Herath, once more he pulls and gets a single for it. |
| 49.2 : K Rabada to Lakmal, Length delivery outside off, defended off the back foot. |
| 49.3 : K Rabada to Lakmal, Fullish outside off, the ball keeps a touch low. Lakmal looks to drive it but misses. |
| 49.4 : K Rabada to Lakmal, Wide outside off, Lakmal looks to slash it but fails. |
| 49.5 : K Rabada to Lakmal, Back of a length delivery outside off, Lakmal gets on his toes and blocks it. |
| 49.6 : K Rabada to Lakmal, Length delivery angling in, Lakmal looks to defends it from within the crease but the ball nips back in and hits him on the pad. |
| KESHAV MAHARAJ is into the attack! |
| 50.1 : K Maharaj to Herath, No run. |
| 50.2 : K Maharaj to Herath, Spinning in from outside off, Herath looks to cut it but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 50.3 : K Maharaj to Herath, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 50.4 : K Maharaj to Herath, Tossed up outside off, Herath takes a big step ahead and blocks it. |
| 50.5 : K Maharaj to Herath, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 50.6 : K Maharaj to Herath, Straighter one outside off, Herath looks to play for the spin and gets beaten as the ball straightens a bit. |
| 51.1 : K Rabada to Lakmal, FOUR! Full and angling in, Lakmal clips it uppishly off his boots, over Cook at short leg, who ducks under it to get out of harm's way. The ball races towards the square leg fence. |
| 51.2 : K Rabada to Lakmal, Full outside off, SL drives it though the gap in covers for a boundary. |
| 51.3 : K Rabada to Lakmal, Outside off, left alone. |
| 51.4 : K Rabada to Lakmal, Angling into the pads, Lakmal looks to tuck it but miscues it. The ball is in air for sometime but the ball lands safely, just before Cook from short leg can reach it. |
| 51.5 : K Rabada to Lakmal, OUT! 10-WICKET HALL FOR RABADA! He is on fire! Back of a length delivery outside off, angling closer to the body of the batsman. Lakmal looks to fend it by getting high on his toes. The ball holds his line and brushes the outside edge of Lakmal's bat and goes behind, where de Kock grabs it on a good height. That's end of Lakmal's short stint! SL collapsing like a pack of cards! SA NEED 2 WICKETS MORE TO WIN! |
| LHIRU KUMARA is the next man. |
| 51.6 : K Rabada to Kumara, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 52.1 : K Maharaj to Herath, Tossed up outside off, Herath looks to sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. Maharaj and co. appeal but umpire Dar is unmoved. Impact outside off maybe! |
| 52.2 : K Maharaj to Herath, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 52.3 : K Maharaj to Herath, Herath stays in his crease and defends the incoming delivery late. |
| 52.4 : K Maharaj to Herath, Tossed up on the stumps, Herath once again looks to sweep and connects it this time. The ball goes through the mid-wicket region and the batsmen run through for a single, |
| 52.5 : K Maharaj to Kumara, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 52.6 : K Maharaj to Kumara, Kumara prods forward and blocks the ball on the bounce. |
| 53.1 : K Rabada to Herath, Length delivery outside off, punched through covers for a brace. |
| 53.2 : K Rabada to Herath, FOUR! That's come out of nowhere! Length delivery outside off, Herath stays in his crease and smashes it over mid on for a boundary. |
| 53.3 : K Rabada to Herath, Back of a length delivery, angling across, Herath looks to pull it but the ball rises on him and balloons off the top edge. The ball falls safely just away from Philander at short widish mid on. A single is taken! |
| 53.4 : K Rabada to Kumara, Banged in short! Kumara ducks under it. |
| 53.5 : K Rabada to Kumara, Length delivery, defended from within the crease. |
| 53.6 : K Rabada to L Kumara, Length delivery outside off, Kumara edges it into the ground towards backward point for a single. |
| 54.1 : K Maharaj to Kumara, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 54.2 : K Maharaj to Kumara, FOUR! Tossed up delivery outside off, Kumara clears his front leg and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 54.3 : K Maharaj to Kumara, FOUR! Kumara is playing his shots! Uses his feet, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it over widish mid on for a boundary. |
| 54.4 : K Maharaj to Kumara, Kumara once again looks to go big but the ball catches the inside edge and goes towards the leg side. |
| 54.5 : K Maharaj to Kumara, Another inside edge towards the right of the keeper. |
| 54.6 : K Maharaj to Kumara, Straighter on outside off, Kumara looks to play for the spin and gets beaten. |
| VERNON PHILANDER comes into the attack now! |
| 55.1 : V Philander to Herath, JUST SHORT! Back of a length delivery outside off, Herath stands tall and punches it uppishly. The ball falls just short of Bavuma at point. |
| 55.2 : V Philander to Herath, Outside off, left alone. |
| 55.3 : V Philander to Herath, Full outside off, carved to point. |
| 55.4 : V Philander to Herath, Full and angling in, Herath digs it out well. |
| 55.5 : V Philander to Herath, Full outside off, pushed through covers. The Lankan batsmen run through for the second and could be in trouble but Bavuma's throw from the deep doesn't hit the target and there's no SA fielder closer to the stumps, to receive the throw. Two runs taken! |
| 55.6 : V Philander to Herath, Short delivery, mistimes his pull at mid-wicket. Earns a single for that! |
| 56.1 : K Maharaj to Herath, FOUR! Tossed up outside off, Herath reverse sweeps it through third man for a boundary. |
| 56.2 : K Maharaj to Herath, Spinning in from outside off, Herath defends it with the spin on the leg side. |
| 56.3 : K Maharaj to Herath, FOUR! Tossed up on the stumps, swept aerially through front of square on the leg side for a boundary. |
| 56.4 : K Maharaj to Herath, Comes around the wicket, bowls an arm ball, Herath looks to defend it from within the crease but the ball goes straight on with the arm and beats him. |
| 56.5 : K Maharaj to Herath, Around middle and leg, spins in a touch, Herath looks to defend by prodding forward but the ball goes off the pads into the hands of Cook at short leg. The fielding side appeals but it's turned down by the umpire. They don't go for the review. Had they taken it, the result would have been different as the Snicko shows that there was slight glove involved and Herath was out. |
| 56.6 : K Maharaj to Herath, Tossed up on the stumps, Herath sweeps on the leg side for a single. |
| 57.1 : V Philander to Herath, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 57.2 : V Philander to Herath, Length delivery outside off, Herath lofts it over covers for a couple. |
| 57.3 : V Philander to R Herath, Short delivery, angling in, pulled through the leg side for a single. |
| 57.4 : V Philander to L Kumara, Outside off, Kumara looks to defend with a straight bat but the ball goes off the outside edge and into the ground towards the slip cordon. |
| 57.5 : V Philander to Kumara, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 57.6 : V Philander to Kumara, Length delivery on off, angling in, Kumara clears his front leg and block it. It was the same delivery, which he had left in the first innings and got bowled. |
| 58.1 : K Maharaj to Herath, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 58.2 : K Maharaj to Herath, Spinning into the pads, flicked on the leg side. |
| 58.3 : K Maharaj to Herath, Herath prods forward and blocks the delivery on the bounce. |
| 58.4 : K Maharaj to Herath, Fuller on the stumps, Herath once again kneels down and sweeps it through square leg. Duminy in the deep covers good ground and gives away only a single even after a fumble out in the deep. |
| 58.5 : K Maharaj to Kumara, OUT! MAHARAJ THE MAN! Tossed up nicely outside off, drawing Kumara forward. He obliges and steps out, gives himself some room and looks to go big on the off side. However, he misses it completely and the ball goes into the gloves of de Kock, who takes it cleanly and removes the bails in a flash. That's clever work from the bowler and good work from the keeper. This ends the frustrating 33-run partnership! SA JUST A WICKET AWAY FROM THE MATCH AND THE SERIES WIN! |
| NUWAN PRADEEP is the last man in! |
| 58.6 : K Maharaj to Pradeep, Fuller on middle and leg, blocked solidly. |
| 59.1 : V Philander to Herath, Back of a length delivery outside off, Herath stays tall and taps it through cover-point for a single. |
| 59.2 : V Philander to Pradeep, Length delivery outside off, defended off the front foot. |
| 59.3 : V Philander to Pradeep, Pitched on a length outside off, Pradeep stays back and defends. |
| 59.4 : V Philander to Pradeep, Length delivery outside off, Pradeep looks to defend it with the angle but the ball holds its line and whizzes past the outside edge. |
| 59.5 : V Philander to Pradeep, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 59.6 : V Philander to N Pradeep, FOUR! Fullish outside off, Pradeep goes for an expansive shot on the off side. But, the ball balloons off the outside edge and goes over the slip cordon for a boundary. |
| 60.1 : K Maharaj to Herath, FOUR! Full toss outside off, Herath slogs it through mid-wicket. Duminy in the deep initially looks to cut it out but then gives up on his chase. The ball races towards the fence. |
| 60.2 : K Maharaj to Herath, Tossed up on the stumps, defended from within the crease. |
| 60.3 : K Maharaj to Herath, Tossed up on middle and off, reverse swept through point for a single. |
| 60.4 : K Maharaj to N Pradeep, Landed outside off, Pradeep prods forward in defence but the ball spins away a touch, goes off the outside edge past second slip. |
| 60.5 : K Maharaj to Pradeep, Pradeep prods forward and defends the ball on the pitch. |
| 60.6 : K Maharaj to Pradeep, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 61.1 : V Philander to Herath, Length delivery angling across, Herath pulls it through mid on for a single. |
| 61.2 : V Philander to Pradeep, Fuller on middle and off, Pradeep defends it late with soft hands. The ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards square leg for a single. |
| 61.3 : V Philander to Herath, Full outside off, driven to mid off. |
| 61.4 : V Philander to Herath, Shortish delivery, pulled through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 61.5 : V Philander to Pradeep, Length delivery angling in, Pradeep stays in the crease and defends it with the angle on the leg side. |
| 61.6 : V Philander to N Pradeep, OUT! PHILANDER FINISHES IT IN STYLE! Full on off, Pradeep looks to go big and swings his bat hard but ends up swinging it in the air. The ball is a straight one and plucks the off stump from its root. That's 7th wicket for Philander in the match! SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY A HUGE MARGIN OF 282 RUNS! |
| South Africa seal the deal here itself and clinch the series 2-0! It was a complete performance by the hosts. They batted well, bowled well, fielded well and got their reward. They needed 6 wickets more to win the match and they came out in style. Rabada led the bowling by picking the first 4 wickets of the morning and completed his 2nd 10-wicket hall in Tests. Maharaj and Philander did the rest by taking the next two wickets. Even though Abbott didn't pick any wickets, he kept it tight which he |
| Mathews and Chandimal were looking good but an inspired spell from Rabada proved to be their undoing. The latter first chipped it straight to Cook while the former didn't learn from his mistake in the first innings and got out in a similar fashion. Tharanga looked to play his shots but in the end it was one too many and had to walk back. That exposed the tail. Herath gave a good fightback and remained unbeaten on 35 but nobody else supported him. |
| Earlier in the match, centuries from Elgar and de Kock set South Africa up for a huge first innings' total. Then their bowlers did the magic and bowled out Sri Lanka for a paltry score of 110. Du Plessis then decided to bat again and Elgar once more stepped up, scoring a half century to set a target of 507 for the Islanders. And another superb all-round bowling performance saw the Lankan batsmen falter. If one was to point out what let them down, it would be their performance with the willow. |
| Sri Lankan skipper, ANGELO MATHEWS says it is disappointing especially after winning the toss. Praises Dean Elgar for his wonderful performance with the bat. Opines that his batters have let the team down giving no chance to the bowlers. Adds that you need long hours of concentration and that was the difficulty they have largely had in the first two Tests. On Kumara, he is happy with how he has done with the ball, took 6 wickets in the first innings and did really well for his age. Credits Rabad |
| South African skipper, FAF DU PLESSIS says before this match, they wanted to dominate Sri Lanka and they have done it every single day. Adds that the Lankans weren't up for it in this game. States that the conditions are different in different places and they just have to apply themselves wherever they play. Mentions that Day 3 and 4 were tricky, the ball was stopping a bit but they did well and picked wickets as and when they came. Lets everybody know that what he enjoys most about Test cricket |
| Man of the Match, KAGISO RABADA says it's all the hard work paying off. Mentions that he was investing in tactics and gameplans which has eventually paid off. He feels that he was struggling in the first innings but then found his rhythm and used the moment to pick as many wickets as he did. While he is humbled, he says there are other quality bowlers in the side who could have done just the same, today was just his day so is happy to contribute. |
| So that's it from us! South Africa have clinched the series with this win and now go into the Wanderers looking to whitewash Sri Lanka. The Islanders on the other hand, will be playing for their dignity and one will hope they'll learn from their mistakes and put their best foot forward. The last and final match will take place in Johannesburg, at the Wanderers where we'll have another good contest, hopefully. It starts on 12th January at 1000 local time, 1330 IST. Join us for it. Till then, chee |
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