| 0.0 : Hello and welcome to our coverage of the final Test in Johannesburg. It's been a dark last week for the hosts with the Kolpak deal gaining prominence. While the off-field issues have been there, the Proteas have stamped their authority in this series completely. The Lankans, short on experience and possibly skills, have struggled to compete barring the odd passage of play. Let's see if the visitors have any gas in the tank. Another lively surface beckons here at the Wanderers. The toss is coming |
| SOUTH AFRICA WIN THE TOSS AND OPT TO BAT. |
| TEAM NEWS - Sri Lanka are playing with the same XI while the Proteas have made two changes. DUANNE OLIVIER makes his debut while WAYNE PARNELL also comes back. Kyle Abbott and Keshav Maharaj sit out for the hosts. |
| National anthems are done and dusted. The players are now taking the field. It's Dean Elgar and Stephen Cook to open the batting for the Proteas. The conditions are expected to be testing first up in the morning and Sri Lanka would like to exploit it in their favour. Suranga Lakmal to start proceedings. Three slips, a gully and a short leg in place. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : S Lakmal to Cook, Starts with a very full ball on middle and off, angling in, Cook works it on the leg side but straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 0.2 : S Lakmal to Cook, Drops it on a full length and just around off, shaping away off the seam, Cook covers the line and shoulders arms. |
| 0.3 : S Lakmal to Cook, Beauty of a delivery. Lakmal lets out an inswinger this time, landing outside off and seaming back in, Cook once again covers the line before leaving it. Good carry to the keeper. |
| 0.4 : S Lakmal to Cook, Back of a length delivery landing outside off, Cook once again decides to leave it alone but it jags back in and strikes him on the thigh pad. |
| 0.5 : S Lakmal to Cook, Peach of a delivery! Lakmal gets a full ball to angle into the batsman, around off, Cook tries to cover the line and defend but it curls away off the seam to beat the outside edge. |
| 0.6 : S Lakmal to Cook, South Africa are away! Too full in length and around off, not allowing the ball to swing much, Cook gets forward and pushes it down the ground through mid on. They take three runs and Cook is off the mark. Tremendous first over by Lakmal. |
| Nuwan Pradeep to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : N Pradeep to Cook, Good start, right on the mark, full and around off, moving away, Cook gets a bit forward and pushes it to covers. |
| 1.2 : N Pradeep to Cook, On a length and wide outside off, shaping away, an easy leave for Cook this time. |
| 1.3 : N Pradeep to Cook, Hurls it on a fuller length and wide outside off again, another leave by Stephen. |
| 1.4 : N Pradeep to Cook, Absolute beauty by Pradeep. Serves it on a full length around off and it zips off the surface with good away movement, Cook tries his best to put bat on ball but is beaten. |
| 1.5 : N Pradeep to Cook, Sharp delivery, outside off and once again zipping away off the surface, Cook allows it through. |
| 1.6 : N Pradeep to Cook, Fullish and on off, Cook gets behind the line, is squared up a bit but does well to keep it out with an angled bat. Fab start from the Sri Lankan pacers! |
| 2.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Pitches it full and around off, Elgar lunges and pushes it towards mid off. |
| 2.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Straighter in line, Elgar tucks it through mid-wicket and collects a single. Off the mark. |
| 2.3 : S Lakmal to Cook, Brilliant delivery, nipping back in sharply off a length outside off, Cook fails to defend it, there is some steep bounce and it hits the batsman on the thigh pad. |
| 2.4 : S Lakmal to Cook, Fullish and on off, angling in, Cook moves across a bit flicks it straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 2.5 : S Lakmal to Cook, Full in length and on off, Cook gets half forward and works it off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket. A single taken. |
| 2.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Angles across a length ball, just around off, Elgar watches the line closely and shoulders arms. Another decent over. |
| 3.1 : N Pradeep to Cook, Serves it full and around off, shaping away a shade, Cook with limited footwork tries to push it through covers but ends up slicing it off the outside half of the bat. It speeds through point and the fielder stationed there makes a partial stop. One run added to the total. |
| 3.2 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Wide outside off, on a good length, Elgar allows it through. |
| 3.3 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Well bowled, lands it full and around middle, Elgar presses forward and defends it with an angled bat to the off side. There is movement on offer and the Sri Lankan bowlers have bowled good lines. |
| 3.4 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Edged but safe! Pradeep gets a good length ball to shape away, Elgar has a tentative push inside the line, no footwork whatsoever and nicks it behind. It falls in front of Kaushal Silva at third slip. |
| 3.5 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Drops it on a length and outside off, shaping away again, Elgar leaves it alone. |
| 3.6 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Fullish and outside off, Elgar gets forward and pushes it through covers. Herath gives it the chase and puts in a slide near the fence to pull it back. A run saved by the old man. |
| 4.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Fuller in length and outside off, Elgar gets forward and gently pushes it through covers. Mathews chases it from extra cover and they take a couple of runs. |
| 4.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Another full ball, just around off and zipping through the surface, Elgar leaves it alone. |
| 4.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Good length delivery wide outside off, another leave by Dean. |
| 4.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Puts it on a fuller length outside off, Elgar plays a controlled push through the line and finds Mathews at extra cover. |
| 4.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, A little too wide outside off to bother the batsman. Elgar is content in leaving it for the keeper. |
| 4.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 5.1 : N Pradeep to Cook, Just a touch short in length and outside off, Cook tries to run it down maybe but it comes off the bottom edge and rests near the pitch. |
| 5.2 : N Pradeep to Cook, Pitches it full and outside off, shaping away, Cook gets forward to cover the line and shoulders arms. |
| 5.3 : N Pradeep to Cook, Appeal for an lbw! Pradeep gets a full length ball to nip back into the batsman from around off, Cook fails to flick and is hit on the pads. They appeal but the umpire remains unmoved. Mathews decides not to take the DRS and the replays show it to be going over leg. Good call! |
| 5.4 : N Pradeep to Cook, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 5.5 : N Pradeep to Cook, Full and on off, angling in, Cook gets forward a bit and pushes it to covers. |
| 5.6 : N Pradeep to Cook, Nearly edges it! Superb delivery by Pradeep, keeps it full and outside off, inviting the drive from the batsman, Cook tries doing it but it curls away to beat the outside edge. Terrific over. |
| 6.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 6.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Appeal for a catch! Lakmal bowls it on a good length around off and gets it to move back sharply into the batsman, Elgar tries defending it from the crease but it beats the inside edge and brushes the flap of the back pad. There is an appeal for a catch but the umpire shakes his head. Mathews thinks and thinks about reviewing it but he doesn't have all the day to do it. Timed out eventually. He never was convinced though. Good call, the replays confirm the source of the s |
| 6.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 6.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Inviting length this, outside off, there to be driven, Elgar has decided not to play at it. |
| 6.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Way wide outside off this time, Elgar has a comfortable leave. |
| 6.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Full and outside off, angling away, it's left alone by Dean. |
| 7.1 : N Pradeep to Cook, Fuller and straighter, Cook eases it off his pads past short leg and collects a couple of runs. |
| 7.2 : N Pradeep to Cook, Good length delivery outside off, seaming away, Cook allows it through to the keeper. |
| 7.3 : N Pradeep to Cook, Bouncer but it's directionless. Down the leg side and Cook sways away from the line of fire. |
| 7.4 : N Pradeep to Cook, Lands it full and outside off, shaping away, an easy leave for Stephen. |
| 7.5 : N Pradeep to Cook, Goes further up with his length, lands it very full and gets it to nip back in, Cook inside edges his flick to long leg for a run. |
| 7.6 : N Pradeep to Elgar, Gets forward and pushes it towards the cover region for a quick single. |
| 8.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Slightly short in length on middle, jumping onto the batsman, Elgar gets on his toes and defends it to the off side. |
| 8.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Almost an outside edge! Back of a length delivery on off, nipping away, Elgar remains back, has a lazy push inside the line and misses. |
| 8.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Once again there was a near outside edge. Lakmal angles across a good length ball around off, shaping away, Elgar initially looks to play at it but then withdraws his bat at the last moment. |
| 8.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Another nervous push and miss outside off by Elgar. Beautiful bowling by Lakmal. |
| 8.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Serves a length ball in the line of the stumps, Elgar comes behind the line and defends it to the leg side. |
| 8.6 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Extra bounce, on a good length around leg, Elgar tries flicking but misses and it goes off his pads to short mid-wicket. |
| 9.1 : N Pradeep to Cook, Full and outside off, shaping away, Cook has an easy leave. |
| 9.2 : N Pradeep to Cook, Throws it full and wide outside off, the away movement takes the ball further away from the batsman, Cook has nothing to do with it. |
| 9.3 : N Pradeep to Cook, Full and outside off, Cook once again decides to leave it but this time he is late in taking his bat away. It goes off the bottom edge to gully. |
| 9.4 : N Pradeep to Cook, Brings a full length ball on off, Cook gets behind the line and presents a straight bat in defense. |
| 9.5 : N Pradeep to Cook, Gentle delivery this time, outside off and moving away, Cook shoulders arms. |
| 9.6 : N Pradeep to Cook, Goes very full with his length this time, outside off, Cook gets forward and plays it off the inner half of the bat to mid on. |
| 10.1 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Good length ball on off, Elgar gets behind the line and defends it off the inner half of the bat to the leg side. |
| 10.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Back of a length ball angling away from the batsman, Elgar goes back and punches it through covers for a couple of runs. |
| 10.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, FOUR! Fine shot! An overpitched ball around off, Dean gets on the front foot and caresses it back past his partner at the other end for a boundary. First of the innings. |
| Some issue with the ball. The umpires get together to have a look but it's going easily through the hoop. No change needed. |
| 10.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, FOUR! Two in a row! Shorter and slightly wider outside off, Elgar eases himself on the back foot and punches it past the right side of the point fielder for a boundary. Easy pickings for a batsman in prime form. |
| 10.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Lakmal loses his radar, sprays a length ball down the leg side, Elgar nudges it to fine leg for a single. |
| 10.6 : S Lakmal to Cook, Good length delivery outside off, left alone. |
| Once again the umpires are checking the shape of the ball. This time they have decided to get it changed. It appears there is no 11-over old ball available. Umpire Rod Tucker is doing his best in making it look like one by bouncing it multiple times on the pitch. Interesting. Haven't seen this technique used before. |
| Bowling change. Angelo Mathews brings himself into the attack. |
| 11.1 : A Mathews to Elgar, FOUR! Shot! Welcome into the attack, skipper! A gentle loosener by Mathews, 114.6 kph, bowls it full and around off, Elgar gets on the front foot and drives it crisply through mid off for a boundary. |
| 11.2 : A Mathews to Elgar, Full and around off, Elgar gets forward and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 11.3 : A Mathews to Elgar, Angles across a full length ball outside off, Elgar allows it through to the keeper. |
| 11.4 : A Mathews to Elgar, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 11.5 : A Mathews to Elgar, Fullish and around off, angling away, Elgar covers his stumps and shoulders arms. |
| 11.6 : A Mathews to Elgar, In the zone outside off, a gentle fuller length ball, left alone by Elgar. |
| 12.1 : S Lakmal to Cook, Angles in a full length ball on off, Cook goes on this back foot and works it on the leg side. It rolls behind square leg for a single. |
| 12.2 : S Lakmal to Elgar, On a length and outside off, shaping back in a bit, Elgar gets back to cover the line and shoulders arms. |
| 12.3 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Dropped by Chandimal? Slightly short in length and going down the leg side, Elgar tries to glance but misses and it goes off his hips to the keeper. Chandimal dives to his right but it's way wide of him. He only manages a glove on it and the ball deflects behind for FOUR BYES at fine leg. |
| 12.4 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Good length ball on middle and off, Elgar defends it off his back foot. |
| 12.5 : S Lakmal to Elgar, Guided down to fine leg by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 12.6 : S Lakmal to Cook, Full in length and outside off, curving away, Cook watches the line closely and allows it through. |
| Drinks break. First hour successfully negotiated by the South African openers. There were some nervous moments but Elgar and Cook have done well to survive. Sri Lanka started superbly, bowled great lines but failed to keep consistency. 21 runs in the last 3 overs and they need to apply more pressure with the fairly new ball. Cannot let the chips down so early in a Test match. |
| 13.1 : A Mathews to D Elgar, Edged but doesn't carry! Back of a length outside off, Elgar pushes at it with soft hands and the outside edge just falls short of Silva at third slip. |
| 13.2 : A Mathews to D Elgar, Full and outside off, Elgar looks to block and gets an inside edge on to the pads. |
| 13.3 : A Mathews to Elgar, Fuller on off, gets across and defends it around the front pad. |
| 13.4 : A Mathews to Elgar, Good length outside off, no shot offered to that one. |
| 13.5 : A Mathews to Elgar, Back of a length outside off, gets back and jabs it towards point for a single. |
| 13.6 : A Mathews to Cook, Shortish outside off, shapes away late as Cook lets it pass to the keeper. |
| LAHIRU KUMARA comes on to bowl. |
| 14.1 : L Kumara to Elgar, Fuller outside off, Elgar jams it with an open face towards gully on the bounce. |
| 14.2 : L Kumara to Elgar, Short on middle, Elgar swivels and pulls it away through square leg for a couple. |
| 14.3 : L Kumara to Elgar, Back of a length outside off, gets back and blocks it to the off side. |
| 14.4 : L Kumara to Elgar, That took off! Shortish outside off, Elgar stays back and jabs it to the off side. The ball flew off his glove. Single taken. |
| 14.5 : L Kumara to Cook, Too straight from Kumara and Cook works it on the leg side for a single. |
| 14.6 : L Kumara to Elgar, Bonus runs! Kumara fires it way down the leg side, Elgar misses and it even a diving Chandimal cannot reach it. The ball speeds to the fence for FOUR LEG BYES. |
| 15.1 : A Mathews to Cook, Fuller on middle, worked on the leg side. |
| 15.2 : A Mathews to Cook, Once again full on middle, Cook clips it to the leg side. |
| Cook has been given out lbw. He opts for the review. Looked quite plumb to the naked eye. |
| 15.3 : Mathews to Cook, OUT! GONE! Mathews draws first blood. Full inswinger from around off, tails into ping Cook on the front pad as he plays across the line. Huge appeal for lbw and it's given almost instantly by the umpire. Cook goes for the review after a chat with Elgar. Not sure why though as it looked close. They check for the no ball initially and it's really close but Mathews is just fine. Over to the ball then, impact in line and crashing middle and leg. That's the early breakthrough |
| HASHIM AMLA is the new man in. The 100th Test for him and let's see whether he rises to the occasion. |
| 15.4 : A Mathews to Amla, Good length outside off, no shot offered to that one. |
| 15.5 : A Mathews to Amla, Length ball closer to off, Amla gets behind the line and blocks it well. |
| 15.6 : A Mathews to Amla, Off the edge but safe! Full outside off, shaping away as Amla pushes at it. The outside edge results but it's well short of the slip cordon. Good probing over from the Lankan skipper. |
| 16.1 : L Kumara to Elgar, Full and outside off, no shot offered to that one. |
| 16.2 : L Kumara to Elgar, OUT! KUMARA STRIKES! One wicket often brings two and the Lankans are absolutely pumped up. Back of a length outside off, extra bounce as Elgar pushes at it. Gets the outside edge that flies straight to Karunaratne at first slip. All of a sudden, all that hard work of seeing off the first hour is undone for the Proteas as both openers are back in the hut. Sri Lanka have roared back after the drinks break. |
| JP Duminy is the new man in. |
| 16.3 : L Kumara to Duminy, Fuller on the stumps, patted back to the bowler. |
| 16.4 : L Kumara to Duminy, Good length around off, Duminy stays back and defends well. |
| 16.5 : L Kumara to Duminy, Beaten! Nervy stuff from Duminy. Back of a length outside off, steep bounce for Kumara once again and Duminy is lucky not to get the edge. |
| 16.6 : L Kumara to Duminy, Good length slanting across Duminy who lets it pass. |
| 17.1 : A Mathews to H Amla, Edged but falls safe! Good partnership bowling from the Lankans. Good length angled in from around off, straightens with extra bounce as Amla is squared up. The edge dies in front of first slip as the second slip fielder dives to his right to reach it. |
| 17.2 : A Mathews to Amla, Fuller around off, defended well off the front foot. |
| 17.3 : A Mathews to Amla, How close was that? Good length on middle, Amla shuffles a bit too much but misses the flick to be rapped on the pads. The ball rolls to the leg side. Huge lbw appeal but it's turned down. Perhaps a very marginal call, clipping leg probably. A leg bye taken. |
| 17.4 : A Mathews to Duminy, FOUR! Delicately done! Fuller ball on the pads, Duminy gets across a bit and glances it deftly down to the fine leg fence for a boundary. That was a gift and JP wasn't going to miss out on it. 50 up for SA. |
| 17.5 : A Mathews to Duminy, Good length outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 17.6 : A Mathews to Duminy, Fuller around off, nips in a bit as JP gets an inside edge on to the pads. That almost sneaked through. |
| 18.1 : L Kumara to Amla, Back of a length outside off, stays back and defends it well to cover for a single. |
| 18.2 : L Kumara to Duminy, Dug in short from around off, JP sways away from the line. |
| 18.3 : L Kumara to Duminy, Close shave for Duminy! He misses the full inswinger and is struck on the pads. Did too much off the deck. |
| 18.4 : L Kumara to Duminy, Full and on off, driven off the front foot towards mid on. |
| 18.5 : L Kumara to Duminy, Back of a length outside off, a bit too wide to make the batsman play. |
| 18.6 : L Kumara to Duminy, Shortish outside off, JP doesn't offer a stroke to that one. |
| 19.1 : A Mathews to Amla, Length ball outside off, stays back and blocks. |
| 19.2 : A Mathews to Amla, Good length outside off, Amla gets forward and blocks solidly. |
| 19.3 : A Mathews to Amla, Good length outside off, nice shape for Mathews but the line is too wide to make Amla interested. |
| 19.4 : A Mathews to Amla, Lovely ball! Good length angled in from outside off, draws Amla into a half-hearted poke but the ball jags away late to beat the outside edge. |
| 19.5 : A Mathews to Amla, Length ball outside off, defended well off the front foot to cover. |
| 19.6 : A Mathews to Amla, Length ball angled away wider outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 20.1 : L Kumara to Duminy, Fuller outside off, Duminy gets on the front foot and blocks. |
| 20.2 : L Kumara to Duminy, Dug in short on off, Duminy goes for the pull stroke but doesn't connect. |
| 20.3 : L Kumara to Duminy, Fuller ball outside off, JP drives fluently but straight to extra cover. |
| 20.4 : L Kumara to Duminy, FOUR! Banged halfway down the track, sits up nicely for Duminy who goes for the pull. Not middled well but still gets it to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary. |
| 20.5 : L Kumara to Duminy, Good length closer to off, tapped gently towards cover for a single. |
| 20.6 : L Kumara to Amla, Fuller outside off, blocked solidly off the front foot. |
| 21.1 : A Mathews to Duminy, Fuller around off, JP presses forward and taps it gently to the off side. Quick single taken. |
| 21.2 : A Mathews to Amla, Good length around off, blocked well from the crease. |
| 21.3 : A Mathews to Amla, Good length angled in from around off, extra bounce as Amla fends awkwardly to the leg side. Gets a rap on the glove. |
| 21.4 : A Mathews to Duminy, Full on middle, gets forward and blocks it to short extra cover. |
| 21.5 : A Mathews to Duminy, Length ball wider outside off, easy leave for Duminy. |
| 21.6 : A Mathews to Duminy, Fuller ball outside off, tapped gently to cover for a single to keep strike. |
| SURANGA LAKMAL comes back on. |
| 22.1 : S Lakmal to JP Duminy, FOUR! Good length angled across Duminy who glides it with an open face. Played it with soft hands and gets it past a diving gully fielder towards third man. Kumara gave a long chase and hurt his wrists slightly while trying to stop the ball. A boundary to the southpaw. |
| 22.2 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Good length outside off, steered towards point. |
| 22.3 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Fuller around leg stump, inswing but the line isn't right as it goes down the leg side. Duminy misses the flick. |
| 22.4 : S Lakmal to Duminy, FOUR! GLORIOUS SHOT! Overpitched and Duminy caresses the drive straight past the bowler down the ground to the ropes. Delicious stroke from JP who has begun really well in this innings. |
| Switches to around the wicket. |
| 22.5 : S Lakmal to JP Duminy, Fuller on the stumps, Duminy gets across to that one and bunts it firmly past the bowler down the ground towards long on. Three more taken. |
| 22.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, Good length outside off, a bit wide and an easy leave for Amla. |
| NUWAN PRADEEP comes back on. |
| 23.1 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Good length closer to off, blocked firmly off the front foot. |
| 23.2 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Fuller ball around off, JP presses forward and defends. |
| 23.3 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Pitched up on fourth stump line, good leave from Duminy. |
| 23.4 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Full and outside off, Duminy gets forward and taps it towards short cover for a brisk single. This pair has already pinched some quick singles and Sri Lanka must start blocking these runs. |
| 23.5 : N Pradeep to Amla, Back of a length on off, hangs on the back foot and defends well. |
| 23.6 : N Pradeep to Amla, In the air, in the gap! Fuller on middle, Amla shuffles to work it on the leg side but doesn't keep the stroke down. Luckily for him it goes right between mid-wicket and mid on as it goes to the deep. Three runs to the total. |
| 24.1 : S Lakmal to Amla, Back of a length well wide outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 24.2 : S Lakmal to H Amla, DROPPED! You cannot drop catches like that and you certainly cannot drop players of Amla's caliber like that. Length ball outside off, it's one of Amla's recent trademark pokes away from the body. Gets the edge that flies low to gully where de Silva fluffs the chance. What a wicket this would have been for the Lankans! Could have given them the boost going to lunch but not to be. Might just be the luck Amla needed. He's been dismissed quite a lot in the last six months |
| 24.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, Back of a length outside off, no shot offered to that one. |
| 24.4 : S Lakmal to Amla, Good length outside off, another leave from Amla. |
| 24.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, More fortune for Amla. Fuller on middle, Amla gets a thick inside edge that goes through his legs towards the on side as the batsmen take a single. |
| 24.6 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Four byes! Shocker of a ball to end the session. Sprays it way down the leg side, Duminy cannot reach the ball and the diving keeper cannot get to it either as the ball races to the fence. LUNCH ON DAY 1. |
| Even session of Test cricket after du Plessis opted to bat. The first hour was a very attritional phase with the SA openers seeing it off albeit with some luck. After drinks, Mathews removed Cook and then Kumara removed Elgar to trigger a comeback for the visitors. Since then, Duminy has batted fluently along with a very edgy Amla who was lucky to be dropped just before the break. SL will hope that it doesn't cost them much. All the Lankan pacers were fairly probing on a pitch that has aided the |
| .....DAY 1, SESSION 2..... |
| Welcome back for the second session. Sri Lanka will hope that their seamers get their accuracy further up and will also want their fielders to take catches. They cannot afford South Africa to run away on a pitch like this. The hosts will want one partnership, preferably the current one to set the tone. ANGELO MATHEWS to begin proceedings after lunch. |
| 25.1 : A Mathews to Amla, Good length outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 25.2 : A Mathews to Amla, Fuller on off, Amla gets on the front foot and defends solidly. |
| 25.3 : A Mathews to Amla, Another full ball, honing in around middle, Amla shuffles across and blocks. |
| 25.4 : A Mathews to Amla, Full and outside off, shaping away late as Amla lets it pass. |
| 25.5 : A Mathews to H Amla, Off the edge! Another gentle full outswinger outside off, Amla pushes at it with soft hands as the outside edge doesn't carry to gully. |
| 25.6 : A Mathews to Amla, Streaky moment! Fuller ball just outside off, nips in a bit as Amla looks to block. Goes off the bottom half and rolls past the stumps towards the keeper. |
| SURANGA LAKMAL to bowl from the other end. |
| 26.1 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Fuller ball wider outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 26.2 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Good length outside off, slanting away as JP lets it pass. |
| 26.3 : S Lakmal to Duminy, On a length outside off, angling away, easy leave for JP. |
| 26.4 : S Lakmal to Duminy, FOUR! SHOT! His drives in the V have been brilliant in the last two months. Full ball outside off, Duminy leans forward and drives it elegantly past mid off to find the fence. Beautiful stroke. |
| 26.5 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Good length around off, gets across to that one and defends solidly down the pitch. |
| 26.6 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Good length closer to off stump, left alone to the keeper. |
| 27.1 : A Mathews to Amla, Fuller outside off, leans into it and blocks it well to the bowler. |
| 27.2 : A Mathews to Amla, Full and around off, leans into it and defends it solidly. |
| 27.3 : A Mathews to Amla, Fuller outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 27.4 : A Mathews to Amla, Fullish and just outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 27.5 : A Mathews to Amla, Full and well outside off, shapes further away. Easy leave for Amla due to the line. |
| 27.6 : A Mathews to Amla, Another lovely outswinger outside off, left alone to the keeper. Mathews would be better off getting the ball a bit closer to the off pole. |
| 28.1 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Good length on off, blocked solidly from the crease. |
| 28.2 : S Lakmal to JP Duminy, Fuller outside off, another scorching straight drive towards extra cover. |
| 28.3 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Good length just outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 28.4 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Back of a length outside off, defended well off the back foot. |
| 28.5 : S Lakmal to Duminy, FOUR! Streaky runs for Duminy! Full ball outside off, he drives lazily at it and gets the slice that flies behind point for a boundary. Wasn't in control there and got lucky not to find the fielder. |
| 28.6 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Good length on off, JP gets it off the inside half of the blade down to fine leg for a single. |
| 29.1 : A Mathews to Duminy, Fuller on middle and leg, clipped past mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 29.2 : A Mathews to Duminy, FOUR! Creamed! Full ball outside off, classy cover drive from Duminy on the up. Timed it sweetly and it zinged across the turf to the ropes in no time. |
| 29.3 : A Mathews to Duminy, Dug in short around leg stump, no shot offered to that one. Mathews has overstepped and it's a no ball. Brings up the 50-run stand. Solid and steady stuff. |
| A Mathews to Duminy, Back of a length outside off, lets it pass to the keeper. |
| 29.4 : A Mathews to Duminy, Beaten! Fuller outside off, Duminy drives loosely at it but the ball flies past the outside edge. |
| 29.5 : A Mathews to Duminy, Good length outside off, dabbed to point for a single. |
| 29.6 : A Mathews to Amla, Full on middle, Amla plays across the line but gets a leading edge towards point. |
| 30.1 : S Lakmal to Duminy, FOUR! FAB SHOT! Oozing class. Full ball outside off, Duminy leans into it and thumps it through the covers on the up. Nobody really budged as it raced away to the fence. Sublime stuff. |
| 0.0 : This has been a very positive and busy partnership. |
| 30.2 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Fuller outside off, leans into it and defends well. |
| 30.3 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Good length angled in from outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 30.4 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Length ball slanting in from outside off, keeps low as JP lets it pass. |
| 30.5 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Good length angled in from outside off, JP lifts his bat to let it through. |
| 30.6 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Good length outside off, no shot offered to that one. |
| NUWAN PRADEEP is back. |
| 31.1 : N Pradeep to Amla, Length ball outside off, presses forward and blocks it. |
| 31.2 : N Pradeep to Amla, Fuller ball on the fourth stump line, well left by Amla. |
| 31.3 : N Pradeep to Amla, Good length outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 31.4 : N Pradeep to Amla, Fuller ball just outside off, that's a good leave from Amla. |
| 31.5 : N Pradeep to Amla, FOUR! CRUNCHED! Easily the best shot that he's played today. Short of a length outside off, Amla stays back and punches it through the covers on the up to find the fence. One of his typical shots and this could be the release point he needs as it's been a struggle so far. |
| 31.6 : N Pradeep to Amla, Back of a length around off, Amla hangs back to block but gets it off the outer half to point. |
| LAHIRU KUMARA comes on. |
| 32.1 : L Kumara to JP Duminy, FOUR! Another sweetly timed drive. Kumara starts his new spell with a fullish ball outside off. Duminy gets forward and drives it elegantly through the covers for a boundary. He's going from strength to strength in this innings. |
| 32.2 : L Kumara to Duminy, Good length way outside off, no shot offered. Wide signaled. |
| L Kumara to Duminy, Fuller on off, gets across and jams it back to the bowler. |
| 32.3 : L Kumara to Duminy, Back of a length outside off, angled in, straightens after pitching to beat the outside edge as Duminy tries to poke away from the body. |
| 32.4 : L Kumara to JP Duminy, That was funny! Fuller around off, driven firmly back at Kumara who tries to throw it back in aggression but loses his balance in the process. |
| 32.5 : L Kumara to Duminy, Shortish around off, blocked solidly from the crease. |
| 32.6 : L Kumara to Duminy, Good length around leg stump, JP misses the flick and even a diving Chandimal cannot gather it cleanly. A bye taken. |
| 33.1 : N Pradeep to JP Duminy, FOUR! JP gets lucky! Length ball outside off, Duminy pokes at it but gets the outside edge that flies through the slips to the third man fence. Streaky way to get to the mini milestone but it's been a largely fluent innings on a tough surface. |
| 0.0 : 9th Test fifty for Duminy. |
| 33.2 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Back of a length outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 33.3 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Shortish outside off, tapped off the back to short cover for a quick single. Shy at the keeper's end misses but Amla was in. They don't run off the overthrow. |
| 33.4 : N Pradeep to Amla, Good length closer to off, blocked well off the back foot. |
| 33.5 : N Pradeep to Amla, Dug in short around off, Amla sways away from the line. Chandimal leaps and parries it to Mathews at first slip. Wide called for height. |
| N Pradeep to Amla, Good length outside off, no shot offered to that one. |
| 33.6 : N Pradeep to Amla, Back of a length outside off, Amla pushes at it but is beaten. |
| 34.1 : L Kumara to Duminy, Shortish on off, stays back and taps it to short cover. |
| 34.2 : L Kumara to Duminy, Shortish outside off, JP tries to carve it over backward point but misses. |
| 34.3 : L Kumara to Duminy, Fuller outside off, drilled to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 34.4 : L Kumara to Amla, Good length outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 34.5 : L Kumara to Amla, FOUR! Poor ball and punished! Full toss outside off, Amla accepts it with glee and drives it behind point to find the fence. |
| 34.6 : L Kumara to Amla, Fuller on middle, gets across and clips it through square leg for a couple as the fielder tidies up near the ropes. |
| 35.1 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Fuller around off, beautifully driven by JP but Pradeep gets a boot on it to parry it to mid off. |
| 35.2 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Very full outside off, dug out to the off side. |
| 35.3 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Speared way outside off, no shot offered to that one. |
| 35.4 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Length ball angled in from outside off, hardly carries to the keeper as JP leaves. |
| 35.5 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Full on off, angled in to rap Duminy on the pads. Loud lbw appeal but turned down. Looked close to the naked eye but replays show it clearly missing leg. |
| 35.6 : N Pradeep to Amla, Ripper! Beautiful outswinger around off, moves late to square Amla completely as he is beaten. |
| 36.1 : L Kumara to Duminy, Length ball around off, defended solidly from the crease. |
| 36.2 : L Kumara to Duminy, Good length well outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 36.3 : L Kumara to JP Duminy, Dug in short around off, Duminy shuffles across and controls the pull down to fine leg for a single. |
| 36.4 : L Kumara to Amla, Fuller on off, squeezed off the inside half towards mid-wicket. |
| 36.5 : L Kumara to Amla, Bumper from Kumara, Amla ducks comfortably under it. |
| 36.6 : L Kumara to Amla, Back of a length well outside off, no shot offered to that one. |
| 37.1 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Good length around off, nips back in to rap Duminy high on the pads. Loud lbw appeal but height was a factor. |
| 37.2 : N Pradeep to JP Duminy, Fuller ball around off, bunted firmly towards mid on. |
| 37.3 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Full and wide outside off, driven sweetly to deep point for a single. |
| 37.4 : N Pradeep to Amla, Back of a length outside off, glided with an open face to third slip where it is well stopped. |
| 37.5 : N Pradeep to Amla, Fuller on middle, worked towards mid-wicket. |
| 37.6 : N Pradeep to Amla, Length ball outside off, defended well off the front foot. |
| 38.1 : L Kumara to Duminy, Dug in short around off, climbs awkwardly on JP who pulls it to the leg side for a brace. |
| 38.2 : L Kumara to Duminy, Good length on middle, tucked down to fine leg for a single. |
| 38.3 : L Kumara to Amla, Fuller on middle, Amla gets across and flicks it through mid-wicket. Timed well but won't make the fence. Three more to the veteran. |
| 38.4 : L Kumara to Duminy, Full and on off, leans forward and defends well. |
| 38.5 : L Kumara to Duminy, Length ball angled in from outside off, too wide to make JP play. |
| 38.6 : L Kumara to JP Duminy, Full toss on the stumps, pushed towards wide mid on where it is well stopped. A single taken. |
| Drinks break.... |
| RANGANA HERATH, finally, comes on to bowl. |
| 39.1 : R Herath to Duminy, Full and outside off, blocked well off the front foot. |
| 39.2 : R Herath to Duminy, Loopy outside off, patted gently back to the bowler. |
| 39.3 : R Herath to Duminy, Drags it on a length outside off, punched to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 39.4 : R Herath to Amla, Flatter outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 39.5 : R Herath to Amla, Flatter outside off, pushed off the back foot to the off side for a single. |
| 39.6 : R Herath to Duminy, Floated outside off, JP reaches out and eases it towards point for a quick single. |
| 40.1 : L Kumara to Duminy, Low full toss outside off, driven firmly to mid off. |
| 40.2 : L Kumara to Duminy, Back of a length way wide outside off, easy leave for JP. |
| 40.3 : L Kumara to Duminy, Fuller outside off, leans forward and pushes it towards mid off. |
| 40.4 : L Kumara to JP Duminy, Full and outside off, driven firmly to mid off for a quick single. Throw at the bowler's end misses but he was in anyway. |
| 40.5 : L Kumara to Amla, Good length on middle and leg, goes back to flick but misses. |
| 40.6 : L Kumara to Amla, Length ball outside off, no shot offered to that one. |
| 41.1 : R Herath to Duminy, Floated around off, blocked solidly from the crease. |
| 41.2 : R Herath to Duminy, Flatter outside off, gets back and punches it to the off side for a single. |
| 41.3 : R Herath to Amla, Floated around off, blocked firmly off the front foot. |
| 41.4 : R Herath to Amla, On a length outside off, stays back and defends solidly. |
| 41.5 : R Herath to Amla, FOUR! FINE SHOT! Floated on off, steps out to that one and lofts it straight down the ground. Clean strike and it whistles away to the fence for a boundary. |
| 41.6 : R Herath to Amla, Fuller outside off, Amla steps out to that one and drives it down to long on for a single. |
| 42.1 : L Kumara to Amla, Fuller on middle, worked away on the leg side for a single. |
| 42.2 : L Kumara to Duminy, Length ball outside off, no shot offered to that one. |
| 42.3 : L Kumara to Duminy, Good yorker on the stumps, nicely dug out by Duminy. |
| 42.4 : L Kumara to Duminy, Dug in short on off, pulled to deep square leg for a single. |
| 100-run stand between Amla and Duminy. |
| 42.5 : L Kumara to Amla, Back of a length outside off, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 42.6 : L Kumara to Amla, Fuller on fourth stump line, good leave by Amla. |
| 43.1 : R Herath to Duminy, Tossed up ball on middle, defended off the pads to mid-wicket. |
| 43.2 : R Herath to Duminy, Loopy and full on off, Duminy gets forward and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 43.3 : R Herath to Duminy, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 43.4 : R Herath to Duminy, Flighted and on middle, forced wide of mid on for one. |
| 43.5 : R Herath to Amla, Flatter and on middle, Amla goes back and defends it down. |
| 43.6 : R Herath to Amla, Amla has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| SURANGA LAKMAL returns. |
| 44.1 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Back of a length delivery outside off, Duminy gets on his toes and then tries to leave it. However, it takes the bottom edge and goes on one bounce to the keeper. |
| 44.2 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 44.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, Fullish and angling in around off, Amla quietly plays it in the gap at covers for one. |
| 44.4 : S Lakmal to JP Duminy, FOUR! Nicely played! This one is short and around chest high for JP, who turns inside the crease and nails his pull shot to the deep mid-wicket fence. Continues to prosper in this innings. |
| 44.5 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Goes full on this occasion, around off, Duminy keeps it out on the off side, in the gap and it's good enough to steal a single. |
| 44.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, On a good length and wide outside off, shaping further away, an easy leave for Hashim. |
| 45.1 : R Herath to Duminy, Tossed up ball on off, spinning in, Duminy gets forward and defends it on the leg side. |
| 45.2 : R Herath to Duminy, Too full and around leg, Duminy works it wide of short mid-wicket for a single. |
| 45.3 : R Herath to Amla, Nice use of the feet by Amla but he drives a full ball straight to short cover. |
| 45.4 : R Herath to Amla, Flatter and around off, it's punched off the back foot to covers. |
| 45.5 : R Herath to Amla, FOUR! Aerial but safe! Tossed up ball on off, Amla shimmies down the track and lofts it over wide mid off for a boundary. |
| 45.6 : R Herath to H Amla, Quicker and fuller on off, forced through mid off for a single. |
| 46.1 : S Lakmal to Amla, Way wide outside off, Amla has nothing to do with it. |
| 46.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, FOUR! Typical Amla! This shot will give him immense confidence. A shade overpitched outside off, Hashim reaches out for it and creams it through the gap at covers for a boundary. |
| 46.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, Full in length and outside off, shaping away, Amla makes a watchful leave. |
| 46.4 : S Lakmal to Amla, Angles in a full ball on off, Amla gets behind the line and pushes it back to the bowler. Lakmal takes his right hand out and deflects it towards mid-wicket. |
| 46.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, On a good length and just outside off, Amla eases himself on the back foot and defends it down safely. |
| 46.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, Full and outside off, swinging away, Hashim lets it through to the keeper. |
| 47.1 : R Herath to Duminy, FOUR! Great footwork by JP! Dances down to the pitch of the full length ball and drills it past the short extra cover fielder for a boundary. Lovely! |
| 47.2 : R Herath to Duminy, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 47.3 : R Herath to Duminy, Slower full ball on middle, Duminy pushes it back past the bowler to long on for an easy run. |
| 47.4 : R Herath to Amla, FOUR! Flashes and flashes hard! Herath throws it up wide outside off, short in length, Amla uses his lovely hands, reaches out for it and smacks it through point for a boundary. |
| 47.5 : R Herath to Amla, Gets forward to a full ball and defends it solidly. |
| 47.6 : R Herath to Amla, Pulls his pace and length back, drops it on middle, Amla gets back and turns it behind square leg for a single. |
| 48.1 : S Lakmal to Amla, Full in length and just outside off, Amla gets forward to cover the line and then lifts his bat at the last moment. |
| 48.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, Good length delivery outside off, left alone. |
| 48.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, Angles in a full ball and lands it closer to the off stump line, a hint of away movement and Amla shoulders arms. |
| 48.4 : S Lakmal to Amla, Full and just outside off, shaping back in after landing, Amla presses forward to cover the line and leaves it alone. |
| 48.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, Angles in a full ball on off, Amla gets forward and keeps it out off the inner half of the bat to mid on. |
| 48.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 49.1 : R Herath to Duminy, Slow full ball on middle, Duminy lunges and defends it off his pads to short leg. |
| 49.2 : R Herath to Duminy, Skips down the track and flicks it with the spin through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 49.3 : R Herath to H Amla, Full floated on off, eased down through mid off for a single. |
| 49.4 : R Herath to Duminy, Loopy and too full on off, Duminy gets forward and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 49.5 : R Herath to Duminy, Duminy has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 49.6 : R Herath to Duminy, Flighted and on off, Duminy gets forward and defends it back watchfully. |
| 50.1 : S Lakmal to Amla, Full and angling into the batsman, Amla stays back and defends it to the off side. |
| 50.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, Full again, around off and angling in, Amla defends it from the crease and keeps it out off the inner half of the bat. |
| 50.3 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Comes from around the wicket and angles in a full ball on off, Duminy drives it through covers for a single. |
| 50.4 : S Lakmal to Amla, FOUR! Thumped! An overpitched ball on off, Hashim with minimum follow through of his bat thumps it through the gap at covers for a boundary. Vintage stuff! |
| 50.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, Good length delivery outside off, left alone. |
| 50.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, Fullish and angling in, defended back to the bowler. |
| 51.1 : R Herath to Duminy, Full floated ball on off, Duminy defends it back to the bowler. |
| 51.2 : R Herath to Duminy, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 51.3 : R Herath to Duminy, Quicker full ball on middle, JP defends it from the crease. |
| 51.4 : R Herath to Duminy, Walks down to the pitch of the ball and pushes it through mid off for a single. |
| 51.5 : R Herath to Amla, Full and on the pads, clipped to fine leg for a couple of runs. |
| 51.6 : R Herath to Amla, Flighted and outside off, Amla strides forward and defends it to the off side. |
| Nuwan Pradeep is back into the attack. |
| 52.1 : N Pradeep to JP Duminy, Fuller and around off, Duminy gets forward and across to push it towards mid on. |
| 52.2 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Beautifully bowled, lands it on a fuller length and outside off, swerving in big, Duminy gets forward to cover the line and shoulders arms. |
| 52.3 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Yorker around off, JP squeezes it out off the outer half of the bat to third man for a single. |
| 52.4 : N Pradeep to Amla, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. No run. |
| 52.5 : N Pradeep to Amla, Presents the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 52.6 : N Pradeep to Amla, Full and on middle, Amla stays back and closes the face of his bat in defense. |
| 53.1 : R Herath to Duminy, FOUR! Fine shot! Flatter and fuller down the leg side, Duminy paddles it down fine on the leg side for a boundary. |
| 53.2 : R Herath to Duminy, Walks down to the pitch of the ball and forces it through mid on for a run. |
| 53.3 : R Herath to Amla, Floated full ball on off, pushed from the crease to covers. |
| 53.4 : R Herath to Amla, Quicker and on middle, defended off the pads to the leg side. |
| 53.5 : R Herath to Amla, Amla has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 53.6 : R Herath to Amla, Tossed up ball on off, defended off the back foot to the off side. |
| 54.1 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 54.2 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Angles in a length ball on middle, Duminy tries to turn it through mid-wicket but gets squared up. He ends up pushing it off the leading edge and it travels wide of point for a single. |
| 54.3 : N Pradeep to Amla, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 54.4 : N Pradeep to Amla, On a length and angling into the batsman, Hashim stays back and defends it to the off side. |
| 54.5 : N Pradeep to Amla, Half century! Full and on middle, Amla pushes it down to mid on and scampers across for a quick single. Fifty for Amla and he is determined to make his 100th Test a memorable one. |
| 32nd Test fifty for Hashim Amla! |
| 54.6 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Fullish and outside off, Duminy forces it square of the wicket on the off side for one. TEA ON DAY 1! |
| South Africa's session comfortably. Duminy and Amla batted on with confidence, almost chanceless after lunch to drive the hosts forward. The southpaw is nearing his ton while Amla after a struggle, has been flowing smoothly in his 100th Test to go past fifty. Sri Lanka's bowlers have looked disinterested in this session and have allowed far too many easy runs. That dropped catch of Amla before lunch will continue to haunt SL. The tourists will hope for some change in fortunes after tea. Join us |
| .....DAY 1, SESSION 3..... |
| Welcome back for the final session. Sri Lanka seeking redemption, South Africa eyeing further dominance. The second new ball might be a semblance of hope for the tourists but they will need to bowl well. Duminy and Amla looking extremely ominous at the moment. RANGANA HERATH to bowl first up after tea. |
| 55.1 : R Herath to Duminy, Floated around off, steps out to that one and blocks. |
| 55.2 : R Herath to Duminy, Flighted on off, leans into it and blocks it well. |
| 55.3 : R Herath to Duminy, Drifting in from outside off, presses forward and smothers. |
| 55.4 : R Herath to Duminy, Floated outside off, steps out and pushes it towards mid off for a single. |
| 55.5 : R Herath to Amla, Flatter on middle and leg, gets back and works it down to fine leg for a brace. |
| 55.6 : R Herath to Amla, Looped up from outside off, gets well on the front foot and defends. |
| NUWAN PRADEEP to bowl from the other end. |
| 56.1 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Good length angled in from around off, tapped off the back foot to the off side for a sharp single. Wayward throw at the bowler's end and they sneak the second as well due to the overthrow. |
| 56.2 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Length ball closer to off, blocked solidly from the crease. |
| 56.3 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Full and outside off, nicely square driven to deep point for a single. |
| 56.4 : N Pradeep to H Amla, Fuller outside off, crisply driven towards mid off. |
| 56.5 : N Pradeep to Amla, Good length outside off, blocked solidly from the crease to short cover for a quick single. 200 up for SA. |
| 56.6 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Straying on to the pads, clipped down to fine leg for a single. |
| 57.1 : R Herath to Duminy, Floated on middle, defended solidly off the front foot towards the off side for a single. |
| 57.2 : R Herath to Amla, FOUR! LAUNCHED! Amla's confidence is soaring now as he lofts the inside out drive over the covers to find the fence. It was nicely looped by Herath but Amla was equal to the task. |
| 57.3 : R Herath to Amla, Drifting in from around off, blocked well from the crease. |
| 57.4 : R Herath to Amla, Tossed up outside off, driven down to long off for a single. |
| 57.5 : R Herath to Duminy, Tossed up around off, JP gets well forward and blocks well. |
| 57.6 : R Herath to Duminy, Floated on middle, JP steps out and makes room to take drive it on the full. Gets it well past the right of mid off towards the deep. Three more taken as JP moves to 96. |
| 58.1 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Good length angled in from outside off, blocked well from the crease. |
| 58.2 : N Pradeep to Duminy, FOUR! There is the milestone! It's been a top knock from Duminy and he's batted brilliantly. Deservedly pumped up. Streaky way to get to the mark but he won't mind it. Length ball outside off, JP looks to steer it down but gets a thickish edge on the bounce past the slip cordon to the third man fence. |
| 6th Test ton for Duminy. |
| 58.3 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Fuller on middle, worked through backward square leg for a single. |
| 58.4 : N Pradeep to Amla, FOUR! Amla continues to motor along. Fuller on middle, gets across to that one and clips it deftly down to the fine leg fence for a boundary. Delicately done as he marches on. |
| 58.5 : N Pradeep to Amla, Good length outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 58.6 : N Pradeep to Amla, Full and outside off, gets on the front foot and blocks well. |
| LAHIRU KUMARA comes on. |
| 59.1 : L Kumara to Duminy, Back of a length around off, gets back and tucks it towards square leg for asingle. |
| 59.2 : L Kumara to H Amla, FOUR! CLASSY STROKE! Fuller and outside off, Amla leans into it and absolutely caresses it through cover-point to find another boundary. This is Amla at his very best - poise, elegance and timing. |
| 59.3 : L Kumara to Amla, Good length closer to off, blocked solidly from the crease. |
| 59.4 : L Kumara to Amla, Length ball outside off, no shot offered to that one. |
| 59.5 : L Kumara to Amla, FOUR! SHOT OF THE DAY! Wow! Back of a length outside off, Amla stays back and merely pushes it gently. Such awesome timing on the stroke that it whistles past mid off to the fence. |
| 59.6 : L Kumara to Amla, Full and around off, leans into it and blocks it solidly. |
| 60.1 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Good length angled in from outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 60.2 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Good length closer to off, that's a good leave from Duminy. |
| 60.3 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Length ball outside off, blocked solidly off the back foot. |
| 60.4 : N Pradeep to Duminy, FOUR! Not in control but it's a boundary. Length ball wider outside off, Duminy goes for the drive away from the body. Gets a thickish edge that flies through backward point to find the fence. |
| 60.5 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Dug in short around off, JP ducks under the bumper. Too high and wide called. |
| N Pradeep to Duminy, Good length around off, blocked off the back foot on to the track. |
| 60.6 : N Pradeep to Duminy, Back of a length outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 61.1 : L Kumara to Amla, Back of a length outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 61.2 : L Kumara to Amla, Shortish outside off, pushed off the back foot to point for a single. |
| 61.3 : L Kumara to Duminy, Dug in short on middle, pulled through square leg for a single. |
| 61.4 : L Kumara to Amla, Another bumper and this time Amla ducks under it. |
| 61.5 : L Kumara to Amla, Back of a length on middle, Amla gets back and clips it through backward square leg for a single. |
| 61.6 : L Kumara to Duminy, FOUR! Rubbish ball and it's been dismantled. Dragged halfway down the track at leisurely pace, doesn't rise much and sits up well for Duminy to maul the pull through mid-wicket. Another boundary to the total. |
| 62.1 : N Pradeep to Amla, More runs! Back of a length outside off, Amla stands tall and pushes it through cover for a brace. |
| 62.2 : N Pradeep to Amla, Length ball outside off, watchfully left alone to the keeper. |
| 62.3 : N Pradeep to Amla, Fuller around off, driven firmly back to the bowler. |
| 62.4 : N Pradeep to Amla, Full ball just outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 62.5 : N Pradeep to Amla, FOUR! Another masterclass shot! He's in total control at the moment, the bowling is at his feet to be honest. Fuller ball outside off, he just dishes out an absolute languid drive past mid off to find the fence. The timing is just beyond words to describe. Welcome back Mr. Amla! What a time to be back, in his 100th Test. |
| 200-run stand between Amla and Duminy. |
| 62.6 : N Pradeep to H Amla, Fuller outside off, another fine drive but this time straight to cover. Single taken. |
| 63.1 : L Kumara to Amla, Length ball wider outside off, Amla gets back and steers it behind point for a brace. |
| 63.2 : L Kumara to Amla, FOUR! Shot! He's just toying with the bowling now. Pure class! Back of a length outside off, stands tall and punches it through the covers. Beats the man at sweeper cover comfortably to his right towards the fence for a boundary. |
| 63.3 : L Kumara to Amla, Full and outside off, driven fluently towards cover. |
| 63.4 : L Kumara to Amla, Length ball outside off, Amla looks to push at it but is beaten by the late away movement. |
| 63.5 : L Kumara to Amla, Good length outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 63.6 : L Kumara to Amla, Fuller around off, bunted back to the bowler. |
| DHANANJAYA DE SILVA comes on to bowl. |
| 64.1 : de Silva to Duminy, Fuller and outside off, leans into it and blocks well. |
| 64.2 : de Silva to Duminy, Loopy outside off, pushed towards cover for a single. |
| 64.3 : de Silva to Amla, Tossed up fuller outside off, Amla drills it down the ground to long off for a single. |
| 64.4 : de Silva to Duminy, Drifting in from around off, blocked off the front foot. |
| 64.5 : de Silva to Duminy, Loopy around off, leans into it and pushes it towards cover. |
| 64.6 : de Silva to Duminy, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| Lakmal has gone off the field, probably to recover from that blow he got at cover. Dilruwan Perera is the substitute. |
| 65.1 : L Kumara to Duminy, Good length closer to off, blocked solidly from the crease to cover. |
| 65.2 : L Kumara to Duminy, Freebie full ball on the pads, glanced down to fine leg for a single. |
| 65.3 : L Kumara to Amla, Too straight from Kumara and Amla clips it on the leg side for a single. |
| 65.4 : L Kumara to Duminy, Fuller ball outside off, presses forward and blocks. |
| 65.5 : L Kumara to Duminy, Dug in short down the leg side, easily left alone to the keeper. |
| 65.6 : L Kumara to Duminy, Good length around off, blocked well from the crease. |
| 66.1 : de Silva to Amla, Floated on middle, leans forward and pats it back to the bowler. |
| 66.2 : de Silva to Amla, Speared down the leg side, Amla looks to flick but misses. |
| 66.3 : de Silva to Amla, Tossed up down the leg side, whipped away to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 66.4 : de Silva to Duminy, Floated outside off, no shot offered to that one. |
| 66.5 : de Silva to Duminy, Floated around off, swept through square leg for a single. |
| 66.6 : de Silva to Amla, Flatter on middle, Amla steps out and takes it on the full. Bunts it down to long off for a single. |
| 67.1 : L Kumara to Amla, Good length closer to off, Amla stays in the crease and defends. |
| 67.2 : L Kumara to Amla, Fuller outside off, Amla drives away from the body and gets a thick slice. It's aerial but also in the gap at covers as it goes to the deep for a single. |
| 67.3 : L Kumara to Duminy, Good length closer to off, blocked solidly off the back foot to short cover. |
| 67.4 : L Kumara to Duminy, On middle and leg, Duminy flicks it to deep square leg for a run. |
| 67.5 : L Kumara to Amla, Good length angled in around off, defends well from the crease. |
| 67.6 : L Kumara to Duminy, Full on middle and leg, worked away on the leg side for a single. |
| 68.1 : de Silva to Duminy, Flatter outside off, stays back and blocks it well. |
| 68.2 : de Silva to Duminy, Drifting in from around off, blocked solidly from the crease. |
| 68.3 : de Silva to Duminy, Loopy and outside off, JP goes for the sweep but misses. |
| 68.4 : de Silva to Duminy, Full and outside off, leans into it and defends solidly. |
| 68.5 : de Silva to Duminy, Flighted on middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 68.6 : de Silva to Amla, Tossed up on middle and leg, clipped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 69.1 : R Herath to Amla, Flatter and on off, defended off the back foot by Amla. |
| 69.2 : R Herath to Amla, Loopy and on off, driven off the front foot to covers. |
| 69.3 : R Herath to Amla, Walks down to the pitch of the ball and defends it down safely. |
| 69.4 : R Herath to Amla, Walks down the track and works it through square leg for one. |
| 69.5 : R Herath to Duminy, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 69.6 : R Herath to Duminy, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 70.1 : de Silva to Duminy, Duminy has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 70.2 : de Silva to Duminy, Flighted ball outside off, spinning away, left alone by Duminy. |
| 70.3 : de Silva to Duminy, Shortish and on off, punched off the back foot through covers for one. |
| 70.4 : de Silva to Amla, Amla has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 70.5 : de Silva to Amla, Full and on middle, helped to leg gully where the fielder dived and parried it towards square leg. |
| 70.6 : de Silva to Amla, Shortish on off, Amla rocks back and slaps it to cover-point. |
| 71.1 : R Herath to Duminy, Loopy and full on off, Duminy is on the front foot as he defends it back to the bowler. |
| 71.2 : R Herath to Duminy, Gets forward and gently defends a full ball to the off side. |
| 71.3 : R Herath to Duminy, Flighted and outside off, JP gets across the stumps and pushes it off his pads to short mid-wicket. |
| 71.4 : R Herath to JP Duminy, FOUR! Nicely played! A loopy full ball around off, Duminy takes a step forward, takes his front leg to the pitch of the ball and drives it crisply through covers for a boundary. |
| 71.5 : R Herath to Duminy, Dances down the track and pushes it through mid on for a run. |
| 71.6 : R Herath to Amla, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. No run. |
| 72.1 : de Silva to Duminy, Slow loopy full ball on off, Duminy gets on the front foot and defends it to the off side. |
| 72.2 : de Silva to Duminy, Flatter and a touch shorter on off, Duminy rocks back and punches it through covers for a single. |
| 72.3 : de Silva to Amla, Full floated ball on leg, it's flicked off the pads to short mid-wicket. |
| 72.4 : de Silva to Amla, Too full in length on middle, Amla makes a bit of room and drives it through extra cover for a single. |
| 72.5 : de Silva to Duminy, Fires in a fuller ball on off, Duminy gets forward and plays it with gentle hands to covers for a quick single. |
| 72.6 : de Silva to Amla, Fullish and on the pads, it's whipped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 73.1 : R Herath to Amla, Slower through the air, full and around off, Amla lunges and defends it with the spin to the off side. |
| 73.2 : R Herath to Duminy, Nicely done. Flatter and a touch shorter around off, Duminy goes deep inside the crease and plays a late cut wide of first slip for a couple of runs. |
| 73.3 : R Herath to Duminy, Full floated ball on off, Duminy walks down the track and forces it to long on for a single. |
| 73.4 : R Herath to Amla, Shorter and outside off, Amla cuts it firmly through the line but finds the point fielder. |
| 73.5 : R Herath to Amla, Uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and whips it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 73.6 : R Herath to Duminy, Tossed up and full around off, driven off the front foot to short extra cover. |
| Drinks break. |
| 74.1 : de Silva to Amla, On a length outside off, punched off the back foot to deep point for a single. |
| 74.2 : de Silva to Duminy, Floated on the pads, JP gets well across and employs a neat paddle down to fine leg. Mathews from first slip gives a tired chase to cut it down. Three more to the total. |
| 74.3 : de Silva to Amla, Floated on middle, worked away to the leg side. |
| 74.4 : de Silva to H Amla, Flighted on middle, driven down the ground to long on for a single. Moves to 99. |
| 74.5 : de Silva to Duminy, Drifting in from around off, JP leans into it and blocks it well. |
| 74.6 : de Silva to Duminy, On a length outside off, gets back to cut but gets a bottom edge towards point. |
| 75.1 : R Herath to H Amla, Floated on off, leans into it and blocks it solidly. |
| 75.2 : R Herath to Amla, FOUR! UP AND OVER! What a way to reach his century! Excellent way to celebrate his 100th Test - only the 8th player ever to achieve this feat. Floated outside off, Amla steps out down the track and launches it easily over mid off to find the fence. |
| 26th Test ton for Amla. |
| 75.3 : R Herath to Amla, Fuller outside off, drilled down to long off for a single. |
| 75.4 : R Herath to Duminy, Floated on middle and leg, worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 75.5 : R Herath to Amla, Flighted outside off, uses his feet and bunts it towards mid on for a single. |
| 75.6 : R Herath to Duminy, Loopy on a length around off, defended solidly from the crease. |
| LAHIRU KUMARA is back. |
| 76.1 : L Kumara to Amla, Full and angling into the batsman around off, Hashim gets on the front foot and defends it back. |
| 76.2 : L Kumara to Amla, Too full in length and outside off, Amla drives it through point for one. |
| 76.3 : L Kumara to Duminy, Length delivery on off, Duminy remains on the back foot and defends it down safely. |
| 76.4 : L Kumara to Duminy, Straighter in line, JP tucks it behind square leg for a single. |
| 76.5 : L Kumara to H Amla, FOUR! What a shot! Extension of those beautiful arms. A fullish ball on off, Amla gets behind the line with a straight bat and drives it elegantly down the ground for a boundary. |
| 76.6 : L Kumara to Amla, Sharp pace and extra bounce from around off, Amla tries blocking but appears to be hit on the gloves. No harm done. |
| 77.1 : de Silva to Duminy, Duminy advances down the track to take it on the full and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 77.2 : de Silva to Amla, Full flighted on middle, Amla wrists it firmly through mid-wicket for one. |
| 77.3 : de Silva to Duminy, Floated ball on off, Duminy gets forward and drops it with gentle hands towards cover-point. A single pinched. |
| 77.4 : de Silva to Amla, Flighted one, full and on middle, defended back to the bowler. |
| 77.5 : de Silva to Amla, Loopy and around off, spinning in, Hashim gets forward and pushes it through mid off for a run. |
| 77.6 : de Silva to Duminy, Bowls it short and outside off, Duminy goes back and cuts it straight to point. |
| 78.1 : L Kumara to Amla, Good length ball on middle and leg, Amla gets back and glances it through backward square leg for a single. |
| 78.2 : L Kumara to Duminy, Extra bounce again, from a length around middle and off, Duminy does well to control his shot and taps it down towards gully. A diving stop by the fielder stationed there! |
| 78.3 : L Kumara to Duminy, Fullish on middle, worked off the inside half of the bat to deep square leg for a run. |
| 78.4 : L Kumara to Amla, Good length ball outside off, shaping back in a bit, Amla covers the line and shoulders arms. |
| 78.5 : L Kumara to Amla, Angles in a full toss on off, Amla punches it down the ground and the mid on fielder makes a tumbling stop. By the time the fielder recovers, they take a single. |
| 78.6 : L Kumara to Duminy, FOUR! Wayward delivery, short and down the leg side, Duminy pulls it fine down the leg side and finds the fence. Poor bowling by the young man. |
| 79.1 : de Silva to Amla, Floated full ball on off, Amla gets on the front foot and defends it back. |
| 79.2 : de Silva to Amla, Flatter and on middle, Amla gets on the back foot and defends it to short leg. |
| 79.3 : de Silva to Amla, Lunges and defends a full ball back to the bowler. |
| 79.4 : de Silva to Amla, Loopy and full on middle, Amla once again lunges and defends it right under his watchful eyes. |
| 79.5 : de Silva to Amla, Quicker one on middle, flicked off the pads but straight to square leg. |
| 79.6 : de Silva to Amla, Tossed up ball on off, slower through the air, Amla gets across the stumps and blocks it down safely. |
| Second new ball is now available and Sri Lanka have taken it straightaway. |
| Suranga Lakmal is back into the attack to make first use of the new cherry. Sri Lanka will be hoping for some wickets towards the end of the day's play. As of now, they are looking down in the field. |
| 80.1 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Good length delivery on off, extra bounce, Duminy dabs it down to point for a single. |
| 80.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, Full in length and outside off, shaping away, Amla shoulders arms. |
| 80.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, On a length and around off, Amla gets back and taps it down to point for a quick single. |
| 80.4 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Full in length and around off, JP defends it from the crease to the off side. |
| 80.5 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Angles across a full ball outside off, holding its line, JP makes a comfortable leave. |
| 80.6 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Hurls another fuller length ball outside off, moving away off the seam, Duminy guards his stumps and allows it through to the keeper. |
| Angelo Mathews to bowl from the other end. |
| 81.1 : A Mathews to Amla, Full in length and outside off, Amla lunges and defends it to the off side. |
| 81.2 : A Mathews to Amla, Pitches it full and outside off, holding its line, Amla leaves it alone. |
| 81.3 : A Mathews to Amla, Mathews bowls it full and around off, nipping in with extra bounce, Amla tries to work it on the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. |
| 81.4 : A Mathews to Amla, Bowls it on a driving length outside off, Amla shows no interest in playing at it. |
| 81.5 : Mathews to Amla, Hits the yorker mark, swinging in, Amla digs it out towards gully. Good ball bowled by the bowler. |
| 81.6 : A Mathews to Amla, Lands it on a length and around off, shaping away, Amla gets squared up a shade and defends it down safely to the off side. |
| 82.1 : S Lakmal to Amla, Slightly short in length and around off, Amla covers the line and makes a good watchful leave. |
| 82.2 : S Lakmal to H Amla, Fullish and on off, swinging in the air, Amla plays a punchy drive to covers. |
| 82.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, Stifled appeal for an lbw! Movement back into the batsman from a length around middle and off, Amla fails to keep it out and is hit on the thigh pad. Lakmal pulls out of his appeal as he realized it's too high. |
| 82.4 : S Lakmal to H Amla, Full in length and outside off, Amla tries to defend but it catches the outer portion of the bat and runs behind point for a brace. |
| 82.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, Fullish and angling in, Amla presses forward and defends it back with a straight bat. |
| 82.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, Fine line by Lakmal, keeps it just around off on a length and gets it to nip away, Amla however is very watchful and shoulders arms. |
| 83.1 : A Mathews to Duminy, Full in length and wide outside off, Duminy allows it through to the keeper. |
| 83.2 : A Mathews to Duminy, Lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 83.3 : A Mathews to JP Duminy, Fullish and around off, Duminy gets forward and pushes it off his pads to mid on. |
| 83.4 : A Mathews to Duminy, Fullish and around off, Duminy takes his front foot forward to cover the line and leaves it. |
| 83.5 : A Mathews to Duminy, Straighter in line, Duminy gets across the stumps and works it in the gap at mid-wicket for a single. |
| 83.6 : A Mathews to Amla, Fullish and in the zone outside off, holding its line, Amla has nothing to do with it. |
| 84.1 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Beaten! Lands it on a fuller length outside off, nipping away, Duminy has a tame push inside the line and misses. |
| 84.2 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Fuller and around off, moving back in this time, Duminy tries to play straight but it catches the inside half of the bat and rolls wide of mid on for a single. |
| 84.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, Angles in a full ball on off, Amla gets behind the line and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 84.4 : S Lakmal to Amla, Shaping back into the batsman with extra bounce, Amla gets surprised by it and does well to play it off a loose bottom hand. The ball goes off the inside edge to long leg and they cross over for a single. |
| 84.5 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Beauty! Slightly short and around off, moving back into the batsman, Duminy tries to defend from the crease but it nips back in to beat the inside edge of his bat and cuts him into half. |
| 84.6 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Length ball angling away from the batsman, JP allows it through to the keeper. |
| 85.1 : A Mathews to Amla, Full and arrowing into the batsman, Hashim gets on the front foot and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 85.2 : A Mathews to Amla, Angles it in, fullish around off, Amla strides forward and defends it to covers. |
| 85.3 : A Mathews to Amla, Pitches it full and outside off, Amla nudges it to covers and crosses for a brisk single. |
| 85.4 : A Mathews to Duminy, Mathews comes from around the wicket and angles in a full length ball. It keeps on going with the angle and Duminy decides to leave it. Almost shaves past his back pad to the keeper. |
| 85.5 : A Mathews to JP Duminy, Advances down the track and pushes it wide of short extra cover for a single. The mid off fielder gets across to stop the ball and has a wayward throw at the non-striker's end. An overthrow taken as well. |
| 85.6 : A Mathews to Duminy, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 86.1 : S Lakmal to Amla, On a length and around off, shaping away, Amla shoulders arms. |
| 86.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 86.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, Gets behind the line of the delivery and defends it towards mid off. |
| 86.4 : S Lakmal to Amla, Full in length and around middle and leg, nipping in, Amla fails to flick and it goes off his pads to square leg. A leg bye taken. |
| 86.5 : S Lakmal to Duminy, On a length and around off, Duminy remains back and defends it to the off side. |
| 86.6 : S Lakmal to Duminy, Short and wide outside off, Duminy rocks back and steers it through backward point for a couple of runs. |
| Nuwan Pradeep replaces Mathews in the attack. |
| 87.1 : N Pradeep to Amla, On a length and around off, Amla defends it from within the crease. |
| 87.2 : N Pradeep to Amla, FOUR! Tired bowling, poor bowling, call whatever you want to. Bowling it short and wide outside off, Amla flashes and flashes hard to send it down to the third man fence. |
| 87.3 : N Pradeep to Amla, Too wide outside off, Amla leaves it alone this time. |
| 87.4 : N Pradeep to Amla, Fullish and around off, Amla gets on the front foot and defends. |
| 87.5 : N Pradeep to Amla, Serves it on a driving length outside off, Amla gets across the stumps and allows it through to the keeper. |
| 87.6 : N Pradeep to Amla, In the zone outside off, holding its line, Hashim leaves it alone. |
| Lahiru Kumara to bowl the penultimate over of the day. |
| 88.1 : L Kumara to Duminy, FOUR! 2nd score of 150-plus for Duminy in Tests! Great batting by the southpaw. This time he plays an extremely late cut to find the gap and the third man fence. Amla hugs him and quietly shares some words. This has been an outstanding knock by JP. A chanceless one! |
| 88.2 : L Kumara to Duminy, Digs in a short ball around leg, Duminy is hurried up and fends it off gloves to fine leg for a couple of runs. |
| 88.3 : L Kumara to Duminy, On a good length around off, Duminy defends it off his back foot. |
| 88.4 : L Kumara to Duminy, OUT! Duminy departs at the fag end of the day! Kumara strikes and is pumped up. He angles across a length delivery outside off, JP gets forward to push inside the line and nicks it behind to second slip. Kusal Mendis dives to his left to complete a good catch. End of a brilliant innings and JP walks back amidst a huge cheer from the crowd. This also brings an end to an extraordinary 292-run stand. |
| Debutant Duanne Olivier is the nightwatchman. |
| 88.5 : L Kumara to Olivier, Bouncer to greet the new batsman, Olivier ducks underneath it. |
| 88.6 : L Kumara to Olivier, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 89.1 : N Pradeep to Amla, Good length delivery outside off, shaping away, Amla shoulders arms. |
| 89.2 : N Pradeep to Amla, Bowls it wide outside off, Amla once again makes a watchful leave. |
| 89.3 : N Pradeep to Amla, On a length and just outside off, nipping back in a bit, Amla allows it through. |
| 89.4 : N Pradeep to Amla, Extra bounce around off, Amla jumps a bit on his back foot and nudges it to deep backward square leg for a run. |
| 89.5 : N Pradeep to Olivier, What a delivery! Extra zip from the surface, full and around off and shooting off the surface, Olivier tries to defend from the crease but is beaten. |
| 89.6 : N Pradeep to Olivier, Spears in a full ball on off, Olivier gets behind the line and defends it to the off side. STUMPS ON DAY 1! |
| Dominating day for South Africa after opting to bat on a lively surface. The SA openers departed cheaply and it could have gotten worse had Amla's catch been taken before lunch. But it wasn't and he made them pay with an unbeaten ton in his 100th Test. Duminy produced a fluent ton of his own and was the aggressor for a major part of the day before his partner caught up towards the end. The southpaw departed just before stumps to a lazy shot but by then, he had given his side the day's honors. |
| Nothing much to write about the Lankan bowling. They were quite good in the first session, particularly after drinks but lost the plot after lunch. They couldn't exploit the movement from the surface and couldn't keep the runs down either. With such a solid platform, South Africa will be eyeing a total in excess of 550 at least. Sri Lanka will hope to take a few early wickets tomorrow with the second new ball that's still relatively fresh to limit the damage. Join us at 1330 IST for the second d |
| .....DAY 2, SESSION 1..... |
| Hello and welcome to our coverage of the second day's play. South Africa are well and truly on top after a clinical first day performance. Duminy's fluent ton led the charge before the landmark man Amla in his 100th Test racked up a century of his own to return to form. He made the most of the dropped chance to hurt the Lankans. He's still there and eyeing a bigger milestone. Unless SL strike early this morning, they could be facing a really massive score. The action isn't far away. |
| The umpires and players have made their way out to the middle. Hashim Amla and Duanne Olivier will continue from where they left off. Sri Lanka begin with Suranga Lakmal. Here we go!!! |
| 90.1 : S Lakmal to Amla, Starts with a full length delivery, moves away nicely, Amla shoulders his arms to it. |
| 90.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, On a length and just outside off, little bit of away movement there, Hashim is happy to let it be. |
| 90.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, Angles in a length delivery on middle, Amla looks to defend but gets a leading edge as the ball rolls towards the off side. |
| 90.4 : S Lakmal to Amla, In the channel outside off, HA has got nothing to do with that one. |
| 90.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, Fuller and shaping away, Amla makes another easy leave to the keeper. |
| 90.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, On a length and nips back in a shade, Amla trusts the bounce and allows it to go through once more. A maiden to start the day. |
| Angelo Mathews to bowl from the other end! |
| 91.1 : A Mathews to Olivier, Fuller in length and outside off, Olivier comes forward, lifts his bat to let it go through. |
| 91.2 : A Mathews to Olivier, Slightly fuller and outside off, defended gently off the front foot to the off side. |
| 91.3 : A Mathews to Olivier, Length ball, moves away after pitching, Olivier doesn't even look at it. |
| 91.4 : A Mathews to Olivier, Beaten! On a length and just around off, DO comes forward to defend but the ball moves away and just whizzes past the outside edge to Chandimal. |
| 91.5 : A Mathews to Olivier, Beats again! Good length delivery on off, straightens a bit after pitching, the debutant looks to defend but once again fails to put bat on ball. |
| 91.6 : A Mathews to Olivier, Stays behind the line and offers a solid defense back to the Lankan skipper. |
| 92.1 : S Lakmal to Amla, Good length delivery on off, defended off the back foot towards covers. |
| 92.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, Good length ball outside off, Hashim shoulders his arms to it. Doesn't want to fiddle with it early in the morning. |
| 92.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, Harmless delivery outside off, it's left alone. |
| 92.4 : S Lakmal to Amla, Fuller and angling in, Amla defends it off the front foot. |
| 92.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, Nicely bowled! On a length and around off, Amla looks to defend it but the ball curls away and just beats the outside edge before going into the gloves of the keeper. |
| 92.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, Back of a length ball on off, Amla stays back and defends it towards the man at gully. |
| 93.1 : A Mathews to Olivier, Good length ball outside off, Olivier blocks it out. |
| 93.2 : A Mathews to Olivier, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 93.3 : A Mathews to Olivier, Length ball outside off, tempting the batsman but DO drops his wrists to let it go. |
| 93.4 : A Mathews to D Olivier, Olivier is off the mark! He gets his first run in Test cricket through an outside edge. On a length and angling in, the batsman gets squared up a bit and as a result gets an outside edge through backward point for a single. |
| 93.5 : A Mathews to Amla, Stays behind the line and defends it towards covers for a singe. |
| 93.6 : A Mathews to Olivier, Fuller and coming back in, Duanne prods forward in defense. |
| 94.1 : S Lakmal to Amla, Fuller and angling in, Amla comes across to defend but gets a safe leading edge in the ground. |
| 94.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, Lakmal hurls a length ball from around off, it nips back in sharply to ping Amla on the pads. The ball rolls towards point and there is no appeal made for an LBW as the height was an issue there. |
| 94.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, Comes back in a long way! Length ball pitched around off, nipping back in sharply as Amla looks to work it away on the leg side but misses and is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 94.4 : S Lakmal to Amla, This time it shapes away and Amla is happy to leave it safely. |
| 94.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, HA lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 94.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, Angles it on the pads, it's tucked behind square on the leg side for a single. Another good over from Lakmal. |
| 95.1 : A Mathews to Amla, Fuller in length and outside off, Hashim lifts his bat and lets it through. |
| 95.2 : A Mathews to Amla, Good length delivery outside off, Amla doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 95.3 : A Mathews to Amla, Beaten! On a good length and just outside off, Amla looks to poke at it and is lucky not to edge one behind. |
| 95.4 : A Mathews to Amla, Back of a length ball on middle, HA defends it with a straight bat. |
| 95.5 : A Mathews to Amla, In the channel outside off, Hashim ignores. |
| 95.6 : A Mathews to Amla, Fuller and angling in, Amla comes forward to defend but gets it off the inner part of the bat towards mid-wicket. |
| 96.1 : S Lakmal to Olivier, Hits the deck hard and moves away slightly, Olivier looks to defend but is beaten all ends up. |
| 96.2 : S Lakmal to Olivier, Once again Suranga bowls in that probing zone outside off, Duanne tries to defend it away from the body and is beaten again due to the outward movement. |
| 96.3 : S Lakmal to Olivier, Length ball on off, defended down on the off side. |
| 96.4 : S Lakmal to Olivier, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 96.5 : S Lakmal to Olivier, Fuller in length and shapes away a touch, Olivier looks to drive it away from the body and misses it. |
| 96.6 : S Lakmal to Olivier, Good length ball outside off, pushed towards covers for nothing. |
| 97.1 : A Mathews to Amla, On a length and asking Amla to play at it. He comes forward to defend but the ball straightens a touch and just beats the outside edge. |
| 97.2 : A Mathews to Amla, Good shot! Fuller and around off, Hashim leans into it and drives it through mid off. Won't get a boundary but will pick up three runs. |
| 97.3 : A Mathews to Olivier, Touch short and outside off, tapped towards the off side by Dunnae. He wanted a single but Amla isn't interested. |
| 97.4 : A Mathews to Olivier, Fuller and outside off, driven through extra cover for a couple. |
| An appeal for a caught behind against Duanne Olivier is referred upstairs. There was some noise, let's wait and see... |
| 97.5 : A Mathews to Olivier, OUT! The decision is overturned! Really, really good review this from Sri Lanka. Mathews provides a breakthrough, the first breakthrough of the day. Angelo bowls a length ball outside off, Duanne Olivier looks to defend but misses as the ball goes just past the outside edge to Chandimal. The Lankans put in an appeal but umpire Oxenford stays unmoved. The Asians feel there was a nick and so they take it upstairs. Replays show there was a feather and Olivier starts to w |
| The Protea skipper, Faf du Plessis walks in next! |
| 97.6 : A Mathews to Plessis, Is off the mark straightaway! Good length ball on off, Faf prods forward and pushes it through covers for an easy single. |
| 98.1 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Back of a length delivery outside off, Amla shoulders his arms to it. |
| 98.2 : S Lakmal to du Plessis, Edged and dropped!!! What have you done? Slip catches don't come that easy. Mendis has dropped a sitter and I am not even kidding. You gotta feel for Lakmal, he's asked to bowl long spells and almost delivers only to see himself getting unlucky. Back of a length ball outside off, moves away a bit with some bounce on it. du Plessis looks to defend but gets an outside edge towards second slip where Mendis leans forward to take it as the ball was dipping in front of hi |
| 98.3 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Outside off, Faf leaves it alone. |
| 98.4 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Back of a length delivery outside off, the skipper gets back and punches it through covers for a single. |
| 98.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, Fuller and swinging away, Amla gets behind and drives it through covers for a brace. |
| 98.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, HA lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 99.1 : A Mathews to Plessis, Shortish on middle, defended with a straight bat. |
| 99.2 : A Mathews to Plessis, Touch fuller and around off, pushed back to Mathews. |
| 99.3 : A Mathews to Plessis, Stays back and pushes it towards the off side. |
| 99.4 : A Mathews to Plessis, In the corridor outside off, Faf allows it to go through the keeper. |
| 99.5 : A Mathews to Plessis, Good length ball on off, tapped towards covers for a quick single. |
| 99.6 : A Mathews to Amla, Angles in a length ball from around off, Amla defends it from within the crease. |
| 100.1 : S Lakmal to Plessis, On a length and angling in, with some sheer bounce, Faf is caught in his crease as he looks to defend but gets a bit of inside edge into the pads. |
| 100.2 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Shortish outside off, Faf is happy to see it go through to the keeper. |
| 100.3 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Gets right behind the line and offers a solid straight bat in defense. |
| 100.4 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Ouch! Lamkal angles in a length ball from around off, it nips back in sharply as Faf looks to work it away on the leg side. Misses the line and is hit flush in the stomach. He immediately throws his bat and is down in pain. |
| Faf du Plessis is down in some pain as he got hit on the body. The physio is out to assist him... |
| 100.5 : S Lakmal to Plessis, Nipping away from off, this time du Plessis doesn't even look at it. |
| 100.6 : S Lakmal to H Amla, OVERTHROWS! Oh dear, Amla would have been a goner as well. I will tell you why. Faf comes forward and pushes this full length delivery towards covers. They look for a single but there is a slight hesitation between the batsmen. Eventually they decide to cross. Lahiru Kumara has a shy at the striker's end and it misses. Replays show Amla would have been gone had that it. To add to the woes, there wasn't any backup as the ball races away to the square leg fence. Five bon |
| Nuwan Pradeep is introduced into the attack! |
| 101.1 : N Pradeep to Plessis, FOUR! Cracking shot! Back of a length delivery outside off, Faf gets on the top of the bounce and punches it through covers. Nicely done by the South African skipper. |
| 101.2 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Shortish length and once again du Plessis rides the bounce and defends it. |
| 101.3 : N Pradeep to Plessis, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 101.4 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Shortish outside off, Faf makes an easy leave to the keeper. |
| 101.5 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Easy leave made by the Protea skipper. |
| 101.6 : N Pradeep to Plessis, FOUR! That's slapped! Pradeep bowls it a bit too short and gives width as well. du Plessis backs away and cuts it powerfully through covers to find the fence. Doesn't even bother running for that one. So, a boundary to start and end the over. |
| 102.1 : S Lakmal to Amla, Shortish length delivery served on off, Amla decides to leave it alone. |
| 102.2 : S Lakmal to Amla, Similar ball and Hashim once again makes a leave to Chandimal. |
| 102.3 : S Lakmal to Amla, HA chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 102.4 : S Lakmal to Amla, Gets a bit across and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 102.5 : S Lakmal to Amla, Length ball outside off, moves away a shade, Hashim doesn't offer any stroke. |
| 102.6 : S Lakmal to Amla, Gets right behind the line and offers a solid defense. |
| Drinks are on the field!!! |
| 103.1 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Peach! Full and closer to off, shaping away, Faf is squared up completely by the late movement. |
| 103.2 : N Pradeep to Plessis, Length ball outside off, stays back to block but gets a bottom edge on the bounced towards gully. |
| 103.3 : N Pradeep to du Plessis, OUT! Faf's struggle is over! Length ball slanted in from around off, Faf is squared up once again due to the late movement and extra bounce. The edge flies to second slip where Mendis pouches the offering with glee. The SA skipper never looked comfortable and he has to depart now. It's been a very good morning for the Lankans so far, they've bowled really well and have also choked the runs. |
| TEMBA BAVUMA is the new man in. |
| 103.4 : N Pradeep to Bavuma, Good length closer to off, nips in with bounce, left alone to the keeper. |
| 103.5 : N Pradeep to T Bavuma, OUT! DUCK FOR BAVUMA! Pradeep is breathing fire at the moment with a double strike. It's the full outswinger outside off, Bavuma chases with zero footwork and gets a thick edge that flies high to third slip where Silva takes a very sharp catch. Bavuma's lean patch continues. This pitch has quickened up really well and one has to feel that the Lankans have woken up late with 364 already on the board. Nevertheless, a good comeback today from the tourists. |
| QUINTON DE KOCK walks out to bat. |
| 103.6 : N Pradeep to Kock, Fuller on off, de Kock blocks it off the outer half towards cover. |
| LAHIRU KUMARA comes on to bowl. |
| 104.1 : L Kumara to H Amla, Fuller on the stumps, driven firmly to mid on. |
| 104.2 : L Kumara to Amla, Full and wider outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 104.3 : L Kumara to Amla, Speared well down the leg side, Amla looks to flick but misses. |
| 104.4 : L Kumara to Amla, Sharp inswinger that comes back in sharply to rap Amla on the thigh pad. |
| 104.5 : L Kumara to Amla, Fuller on off, Amla gets an inside edge on the inswinger down to fine leg for a single. |
| 104.6 : L Kumara to Kock, The inswinger goes wrong as it's fired well down the leg side, de Kock misses the flick and Chandimal fails to gather cleanly despite a dive to his right. Not the first time he's struggled to collect down the leg side. A bye taken. |
| 105.1 : N Pradeep to Kock, Length ball outside off, stays back to cut but gets a bottom edge to cover. |
| 105.2 : N Pradeep to Kock, Good length on middle, tails in, de Kock gets an inside edge on the pad. |
| 105.3 : N Pradeep to Kock, Fuller outside off, squirted towards point off the outer half. |
| 105.4 : N Pradeep to Kock, Back of a length on middle, raps de Kock on the thigh pad. The ball rolls towards gully. |
| 105.5 : N Pradeep to de Kock, Good length outside off, de Kock looks to block but gets an inside edge on to the pads. |
| 105.6 : N Pradeep to de Kock, Fuller outside off, leans forward and drives it to mid off. |
| 106.1 : L Kumara to Amla, Fuller on middle and leg, glanced down to fine leg for a single. |
| 106.2 : L Kumara to Kock, Good length slanting across the left-hander, Quinton lets it pass. |
| 106.3 : L Kumara to Kock, Beaten! Full and outside off, shapes away extravagantly as de Kock is beaten on the drive. |
| 106.4 : L Kumara to de Kock, Length ball outside off, Quinton looks to block but gets the outside edge. The ball rolls towards gully. |
| 106.5 : L Kumara to Kock, Back of a length on middle, climbs awkwardly on Quinton who rises on his toes to fend. |
| 106.6 : L Kumara to Kock, Beaten! Excellent bowling this and the SA batsmen are all at the sea currently. Length ball angled away on off, shapes further away to beat de Kock all ends up. |
| 107.1 : N Pradeep to Amla, Good length outside off, shapes away sharply, left alone to the keeper. |
| 107.2 : N Pradeep to H Amla, OUT! Excellent by Chandimal! Good length outside off, shapes away late to force the edge as Amla is squared up. Chandimal dives to his right to take a brilliant one-handed catch. Superb stuff from the keeper as the edge was dying and wouldn't have carried to first slip. Sri Lanka's morning continues to get better and better. Great knock from Amla comes to an end and he receives a warm round of applause. |
| VERNON PHILANDER walks out to bat. |
| 107.3 : N Pradeep to Philander, Good length on off, nips back in sharply to rap the thigh pad. |
| 107.4 : N Pradeep to Philander, Length ball outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 107.5 : N Pradeep to Philander, Length ball outside off, blocked well from the crease. |
| 107.6 : N Pradeep to Philander, Good length outside off, no shot offered to that one. |
| 108.1 : L Kumara to Kock, FOUR! EDGE FALLS SAFE! Length ball outside off, de Kock pushes at it but gets the outside edge due to the away movement. Just flies past third slip towards the fence for a boundary. |
| 0.0 : Gully moves to fourth slip. |
| 108.2 : L Kumara to Kock, Beaten! Length ball outside off, de Kock chases it but gets beaten. |
| 108.3 : L Kumara to Kock, Spears this well wide outside off, so much so that the umpire signals wide. |
| L Kumara to Kock, FOUR! Superb shot! Fuller on middle and leg, gets across and flicks it away through mid-wicket. Lovely shot and the ball races away to the fence for a boundary. Cannot bowl that line to this man, he'll punish you ruthlessly. |
| 108.4 : L Kumara to Kock, Too straight again from Kumara, clipped down to fine leg for a single. |
| Philander has been given out caught behind. He takes the review instantly. There was a noise although it's not clear if he nicked it. |
| 108.5 : L Kumara to Philander, NOT OUT! Philander survives. Shortish on middle and leg, he looks to play across the line as it goes down the leg side to Chandimal. The appeal for caught behind is accepted by the umpire. Philander goes for the review very quickly. Replays show that there is some glove involved but it came off Philander's right glove which wasn't in contact with the bat as that moment as he had taken the hand off the blade. So, the on-field call will be reversed. |
| 108.6 : L Kumara to Philander, Good length outside off, blocked solidly off the back foot. |
| 109.1 : N Pradeep to Kock, Fuller outside off, pushed to cover for a single. |
| 109.2 : N Pradeep to Philander, OUT! WHAT A RIPPER! Absolutely unplayable stuff from Pradeep and Philander has to go. Good length on fourth stump line, kicks up off the deck with extra bounce. Gets the nick through to Chandimal who takes it comfortably. What a spell this has been from Pradeep! He now has four wickets to his name. |
| WAYNE PARNELL walks out to bat. |
| 109.3 : N Pradeep to Parnell, Fired down the leg side, Parnell misses the flick. |
| 109.4 : N Pradeep to Parnell, FOUR! Nice shot! Full and on the pads, easy for Parnell who flicks it uppishly over mid-wicket to find the fence. Gets off the mark in good fashion. |
| 109.5 : N Pradeep to W Parnell, Fuller on off, leans across and drives it towards mid on. |
| 109.6 : N Pradeep to Parnell, Good length closer to off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 110.1 : L Kumara to Kock, Length ball wider outside off, no shot offered to that one. |
| 110.2 : L Kumara to Kock, Good length on middle and leg, gets across and glances it down to fine leg for a single. |
| 110.3 : L Kumara to Parnell, Bowled full outside off from around the wicket, left alone to the keeper. |
| 110.4 : L Kumara to W Parnell, FOUR! EDGED....BUT SAFE! Full and angled in from around off, Parnell fishes at it and gets an outside edge. It flies just past third slip to the fence for a boundary. Agonizing moment for Parnell. |
| 110.5 : L Kumara to Parnell, Back of a length outside off, Parnell plays inside the line and is beaten. |
| 110.6 : L Kumara to Parnell, FOUR! SHOT! Too full and outside off, Parnell leans forward and drives it sweetly through the vacant extra cover region for a boundary. |
| 111.1 : N Pradeep to Kock, Attempted yorker at 139.9 kph, low full toss eventually as de Kock gets an inside edge to the leg side for a sharp single. |
| 111.2 : N Pradeep to Parnell, Good length outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 111.3 : N Pradeep to Parnell, That was very close! Good length angled in from around off, left alone and the ball nips back in sharply to just past the stumps. Chandimal dives to his right but fails to gather it. A bye taken. |
| 111.4 : N Pradeep to Kock, Fuller on off, leans across and pushes it towards mid on. |
| 111.5 : N Pradeep to Kock, Fuller outside off, leans across and drives it past mid on for a single. |
| 111.6 : N Pradeep to Parnell, Full and outside off, leans forward and pats it towards wide mid off. |
| 112.1 : L Kumara to Kock, Good ball! Length delivery outside off, de Kock looks to push at it but the sharp inward movement sees the ball whistle past the inside edge. |
| 112.2 : L Kumara to Kock, Beaten again! Back of a length outside off, de Kock tries to cut but is beaten by the bounce. |
| 112.3 : L Kumara to Kock, FOUR! Good shot! He loves the leg side a lot. Fuller on middle and leg, de Kock gets across and clips it through mid-wicket. The ball races away to the fence for a boundary. |
| 112.4 : L Kumara to Kock, Good length outside off, blocked well off the front foot. |
| 112.5 : L Kumara to Kock, Length ball around off, gets across and defends it down the pitch. |
| 112.6 : L Kumara to Kock, Good length down the leg side, de Kock misses the flick. |
| 113.1 : N Pradeep to Parnell, Good length outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 113.2 : N Pradeep to Parnell, Length ball closer to off, Parnell stays in the crease and blocks. |
| 113.3 : N Pradeep to Parnell, Good length angled across Parnell who lets it pass to the keeper. |
| 113.4 : N Pradeep to Parnell, Length ball slanted in from around off, blocked well from the crease to cover. |
| 113.5 : N Pradeep to Parnell, Good length angled in from around off, stays in the crease and taps it to cover. |
| 113.6 : N Pradeep to Parnell, Length ball outside off, blocked solidly off the back foot. LUNCH ON DAY 2! |
| This session - 24 overs, 60 runs and 5 wickets. Great session for Sri Lanka after the battering yesterday. Their pacers all found the radar and also created constant pressure with Pradeep being the standout with a 4-fer. Lakmal was mighty impressive too but was unlucky not to get more wickets. Amla couldn't add much to his overnight score and wickets kept falling. The pitch has quickened up and there is prodigious movement. 398 seems enough already and de Kock will want to add a few more to the |
| ...DAY 2, SESSION 2... |
| We are back for the afternoon session. How long can the South African tail wag with de Kock. Remains to be seen. Sri Lankan would be eyeing to wrap it up rather quickly and then have a go with the willow. It shall be Suranga Lakmal to begin proceedings after lunch... |
| 114.1 : S Lakmal to Kock, What was that from Lakmal? Frustration? Fuller and curling in a bit, de Kock bunts it back to the bowler who collects it with his right hand and throws it back at the striker's end. Luckily Quinton ducks to evade it. Suranga then apologizes for doing so. |
| 114.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, On the pads, tucked towards square leg for a single. |
| 114.3 : S Lakmal to Parnell, On a length and just outside off, Parnell pushes it towards point from the crease. |
| 114.4 : S Lakmal to Parnell, Angles it across, Wayne makes an easy leave to the keeper. |
| 114.5 : S Lakmal to Parnell, Fuller and hurled wide outside off, Parnell shoulders his arms. |
| 114.6 : S Lakmal to Parnell, On a length and around off, WP doesn't play at it. |
| Angelo Mathews will bowl from the other end! |
| 115.1 : A Mathews to Kock, Good length ball outside off, pushed towards covers. |
| 115.2 : A Mathews to de Kock, FOUR! Flayed! Short of a length delivery, with width on offer. Quinton stays put as he slashes it through backward point to find the fence.That raced away in a jiffy. |
| 115.3 : A Mathews to Kock, Very full on off, driven on the bounce to the man at mid off. |
| 115.4 : A Mathews to Kock, Good length, angling across, de Kock tries to play the lazy shot and gets beaten completely. |
| 115.5 : A Mathews to Kock, This one comes in a bit, QDK looks to defend and it goes on the bounce to the man at gully who moves to his right to stop that one. |
| 115.6 : A Mathews to Kock, Good length ball on off, defended with a straight bat. |
| 116.1 : S Lakmal to Parnell, Beaten! On a length and moves away ever so slightly, Parnell looks to defend it but the ball whizzes past the outside edge to the keeper. We have seen this happening umpteenth times in the first session. |
| 116.2 : S Lakmal to Parnell, Angles in outside off, Wayne doesn't play at it. |
| 116.3 : S Lakmal to Parnell, Back of a length delivery outside off, Parnell taps it towards the off side. |
| 116.4 : S Lakmal to Parnell, Length ball around off, de Kock looks to defend but gets it off the outer part of the bat towards backward point. |
| 116.5 : S Lakmal to Parnell, Fullish in length and around off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 116.6 : S Lakmal to Parnell, Short outside off, Wayne looks to slash it over point but the ball bounces a bit more and he fails to get going with the shot. |
| 117.1 : A Mathews to Kock, Back of a length ball outside off, QDK cuts it past a diving gully fielder for a single. |
| 117.2 : A Mathews to Parnell, In the channel outside off, WP lifts his bat to let it go through to the keeper. |
| 117.3 : A Mathews to Parnell, Outside off, the batsman offers no stoke to it. |
| 117.4 : A Mathews to Parnell, Wooosh! Fuller in length and curling in from outside off, Parnell makes a leave but he can consider himself lucky as the ball almost kisses the off pole before going into the keeper's gloves. |
| 117.5 : A Mathews to Parnell, Fuller in length and around off, defended off the front foot gently. |
| 117.6 : A Mathews to Parnell, WP has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 118.1 : S Lakmal to Kock, Good length delivery on off, de Kock defends it down the wicket. |
| 118.2 : S Lakmal to Kock, Back of a length ball and wide outside off, it's cut towards sweeper cover for a single. |
| 118.3 : S Lakmal to Parnell, Too full and too wide outside off, the batsman doesn't look at it. |
| 118.4 : S Lakmal to Parnell, Stays put in the crease and defends it away on the off side. |
| 118.5 : S Lakmal to Parnell, Changes the angle and comes from around the wicket, he hurls it on a length around off, Parnell tries to poke at it but gets beaten. Lakmal, you Lakmal! |
| 118.6 : S Lakmal to Parnell, Comes forward and defends it towards covers. |
| 119.1 : A Mathews to Kock, Back of a length ball outside off, de Kock pushes it through point for one. |
| 119.2 : A Mathews to Parnell, FOUR! Shortish and outside off, Wayne Parnell cuts it nicely. Makes a good connection and earns a boundary through cover-point. |
| 119.3 : A Mathews to Parnell, Angles in a length delivery on the pads, tucked through backward square leg. Dilruwan Perera in the deep comes across to his right and makes a sliding stop to save a run for his side. Three runs added to the total. |
| 119.4 : A Mathews to Kock, FOUR! Tickled! Chandimal didn't even move an inch. Mathews sprays it on the pads, de Kock gets across and just tickles it down to fine leg for a boundary. This is turning out to be a huge over from the Lankan skipper. |
| 119.5 : A Mathews to Kock, Once again around the pads, worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 119.6 : A Mathews to Parnell, Touch short and outside off, tapped off the back foot towards covers. They wanted a single but won't get it. |
| LAHIRU KUMARA comes on to bowl. |
| 120.1 : L Kumara to Kock, Starts from around the wicket and angles it in on middle and leg, Quinton works it off his hips to square leg for a single to get off strike. |
| 120.2 : L Kumara to Parnell, Parnell plays inside the line and leaves it alone. |
| 120.3 : L Kumara to Parnell, Chases the wide delivery outside off and gets beaten again. |
| 120.4 : L Kumara to Parnell, Fuller and fired on the stumps, Wayne digs it out. |
| 120.5 : L Kumara to Parnell, Short of a length ball outside off, punched off the back foot towards covers for a single. |
| 120.6 : L Kumara to Kock, Stands tall and thumps it through cover-point to keep strike. A single taken. |
| Nuwan Pradeep is back into the attack! |
| 121.1 : Pradeep to Kock, Comes from around the wicket and gets it to nip back in from around off, de Kock looks to play it across the line but misses and gets hit on abdomen. |
| 121.2 : N Pradeep to Kock, Sprays it full on off, de Kock drives it through point for a single. |
| 121.3 : N Pradeep to Parnell, Short and strangling down the leg side, Parnell sits under it. |
| 121.4 : N Pradeep to Parnell, Angles it full on middle, driven towards mid on. |
| 121.5 : N Pradeep to W Parnell, Edged and dropped! But why is there just a slip in place? Good length delivery outside off, Parnell feels for it and as a result gets a thick outside edge towards slip. Karunaratne at first slip dives full length to his left but the ball doesn't stick in his hands. It bursts through and they take three. Pradeep will have to wait for a 5-fer here. |
| 121.6 : N Pradeep to Kock, QDK defends it from within the crease. |
| LAHIRU KUMARA is back on. Dhananjaya de Silva was initially given the ball but Mathews changes his mind. |
| 122.1 : L Kumara to W Parnell, OUT! Gone! Straight to the fielder! On a length and outside off, Wayne Parnell looks to hit this one over point. He does so but it goes straight down the throat of Upul Tharanga at deep point. A frustrating stand comes to an end. de Silva was asked to bowl the over but then for some reason Mathews asked Kumara to bowl. He delivers it on the very first ball. |
| 0.0 : KAGISO RABADA is the last man in. |
| 122.2 : L Kumara to Rabada, Angles it in from around off, Kagiso plays inside the line and gets beaten. |
| 122.3 : L Kumara to Rabada, In the channel outside off, KR leaves it alone. |
| 122.4 : L Kumara to Rabada, Good length delivery on off, moves away after pitching, Rabada makes another leave. |
| 122.5 : L Kumara to Rabada, Length ball served wide outside off, KR makes third leave in a row. |
| 122.6 : L Kumara to Rabada, Angles it in from off, Rabada defends it down gently into the ground. |
| 123.1 : N Pradeep to Kock, Fuller in length and around off, it's bunted back to the bowler. |
| 123.2 : N Pradeep to de Kock, Short of a length outside off, cut through cover-point for a single. |
| 123.3 : N Pradeep to Rabada, Back of a length ball outside off, defended with a straight blade. |
| 123.4 : N Pradeep to Rabada, Slanting it across the batsman, KR doesn't feel for it. |
| 123.5 : N Pradeep to Rabada, Good length angling in from over the wicket, Rabada fails to clip and is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 123.6 : N Pradeep to Rabada, Woaah! Chandimal collects one down the leg side. Full and sprayed down the leg side, Kagiso looks to flick but misses and Chandi behind the stumps dives full length to his right to stop it. |
| 124.1 : L Kumara to de Kock, OUT! Caught! It's a stunner of a catch from Dhananjaya de Silva. Kumara hurls a back of a length ball outside off, de Kock chases it as he looks to slash this one over point. Gets it right but de Silva in the deep comes sprinting across to his left and takes a diving catch at deep point. SOUTH AFRICA BOWLED OUT FOR 426! |
| Brilliant comeback from the Lankans today to snare the last 8 wickets for 89 runs. They removed Duminy late yesterday and were bang on the money from ball one today. Pradeep and Kumara with 4-fers led the charge while Lakmal was really unlucky not to get a single scalp. Tons from Amla and Duminy formed bulk of the runs while de Kock and Parnell added some handy runs down the order today. On this lively surface, 426 looks a huge score. Tricky phase for the visitors to survive till tea. Stay tuned |
| 0.1 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Good length angled across the left-hander, left alone to the keeper. |
| South Africa have taken a review for caught behind against Karunaratne who looks unperturbed. |
| 0.2 : Philander to Karunaratne, NOT OUT! Length ball outside off, shapes away, Karunaratne looks to play at it and tries to withdraw very late. It flies through to de Kock and all the South Africans are up in appeal instantly. Turned down by the umpire and Faf opts for the review. There was a noise though. However, nothing on the Snicko. The on-field call stays. |
| 0.3 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Good length angled away outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 0.4 : V Philander to Karunaratne, OUT! GONE THIS TIME! Philander has his man and he's pumped up. Length ball shaping away late after pitching, Karunaratne feels for it without any footwork and gets a feather through to de Kock who pouches it comfortably. Duck for Dimuth as it's an early strike for the Proteas. |
| KUSAL MENDIS is the new man in. |
| 0.5 : V Philander to Mendis, Good length around off, nips back in sharply, Mendis hangs back and jams it to the leg side. He did it awkwardly. |
| 0.6 : V Philander to Mendis, Good length closer to off, lovely shape away as Mendis makes a good leave. |
| WAYNE PARNELL to share the new ball. |
| 1.1 : W Parnell to Silva, Fuller around off, pushed off the front foot towards mid off. |
| 1.2 : W Parnell to Silva, Good length outside off, angling away, left alone to the keeper. |
| 1.3 : W Parnell to Silva, Pitched up outside off, Silva leans forward and pats it towards mid off. |
| 1.4 : W Parnell to Silva, FOUR! Nice shot! Too full from Parnell and gives a lot of width as well. Silva eases it through backward point off the front foot to find the fence. |
| Bruce Oxenford has a word with Parnell regarding running on the pitch. Not an official warning, more of a friendly advice. |
| 1.5 : W Parnell to Silva, Good length closer to off, blocked solidly from the crease. |
| 1.6 : W Parnell to Silva, Length ball outside off, slanting away, no shot offered. |
| 2.1 : V Philander to Mendis, Fuller and on off, gets forward and blocks it to the bowler. |
| 2.2 : V Philander to Mendis, Fuller and closer to off, that's a good leave by Mendis. |
| 2.3 : V Philander to Mendis, Length ball wider outside off, snaking away as Mendis leaves it alone. |
| 2.4 : V Philander to Mendis, Beaten! The full outswinger and Mendis goes for a lazy drive without any footwork but misses it. Poor batting. |
| 2.5 : V Philander to Mendis, Fuller on middle, tails in, gets across and pats it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 2.6 : V Philander to Mendis, Full and outside off, shaping away, left alone to the keeper. |
| 3.1 : W Parnell to Silva, Good length honing in around off, shapes away late to beat the outside edge. |
| 3.2 : W Parnell to Silva, Length ball outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 3.3 : W Parnell to Silva, Beaten! Probing stuff. Slightly fuller outside off, angling away, Silva pushes tamely at it and nearly nicks it. |
| 3.4 : W Parnell to K Silva, Length ball around off, extra bounce and Silva somehow adjusts to fend it to the off side. |
| 3.5 : W Parnell to Silva, Length ball around off, well left by Silva. |
| 3.6 : W Parnell to K Silva, Drifting on the pads, clipped down to fine leg for a single. |
| 4.1 : V Philander to Silva, Good length speared down the leg side, that's an easy leave for Silva. |
| 4.2 : Philander to K Silva, FOUR! The slice flies away! Fuller outside off, snaking away, Silva pushes hard at it but gets a thick edge that flies just past gully to the third man fence for a boundary. Nervy moment for the opener. |
| 4.3 : V Philander to Silva, Good length a touch wider outside off, shaping away, no shot offered. |
| 4.4 : V Philander to Silva, Fuller around off, gets forward and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 4.5 : V Philander to Silva, Good length closer to off, shapes away with extra bounce, Silva is beaten on the poke. |
| 4.6 : V Philander to Silva, Full and outside off, swings away late as Silva is beaten comprehensively. |
| 5.1 : W Parnell to Mendis, Good length on off, blocked from the crease down the pitch. |
| 5.2 : W Parnell to Mendis, Length ball angling away outside off, Mendis flirts with it and almost edges it. |
| 5.3 : W Parnell to Mendis, Good length around off, Mendis pokes at it but gets an outside edge that goes on the bounce towards gully. |
| 5.4 : W Parnell to K Mendis, FOUR! MENDIS SURVIVES! Length on middle, he looks to work across the line but gets a leading edge that flies past a diving Elgar at third slip. Races away down to the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 5.5 : W Parnell to Mendis, Fuller around off, blocked solidly off the front foot towards cover. |
| 5.6 : W Parnell to Mendis, Good length on middle, worked from the crease to short leg. |
| 6.1 : V Philander to Silva, Back of a length around off, extra bounce as Silva is struck on the bat handle. Takes off the bottom hand in reaction as the ball rolls on to the track. |
| 6.2 : V Philander to K Silva, Fuller on middle, gets across and works it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 6.3 : V Philander to Mendis, Good length around off, that's a good leave by Mendis. |
| 6.4 : V Philander to Mendis, FOUR! Poor ball and put away! Fuller and drifting on to the pads, Mendis gets across and glances it down to fine leg for a boundary. Easy pickings for the batsman there. |
| 6.5 : V Philander to Mendis, Length ball wider outside off, shaping away, left alone to the keeper. |
| 6.6 : V Philander to Mendis, Length ball around off, blocked solidly off the outer half to the off side. Almost got squared up. |
| 7.1 : W Parnell to Silva, Back of a length outside off, pushed off the back foot towards Parnell who tries to deflect the ball off his foot to the stumps at the bowler's end. Gets messy and it goes past him. Single taken. |
| 7.2 : W Parnell to Mendis, Good length outside off, defends well off the back foot. |
| 7.3 : W Parnell to Mendis, Length ball on leg stump, Mendis gets across and clips it through mid-wicket. A bit aerial but in the gap as well as it trickles to the deep. Three more taken. |
| 7.4 : W Parnell to Silva, Fuller outside off, gets on the front foot and blocks. |
| 7.5 : W Parnell to Silva, Length ball on middle, Silva misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads down to fine leg. They take a leg bye. |
| 7.6 : W Parnell to Mendis, Length ball on the pads, Mendis gets across and clips it through backward square leg for a single. |
| 8.1 : V Philander to Mendis, Fuller on middle, swings in sharply to rap him very high on the pads. |
| 8.2 : V Philander to Mendis, Full and on the pads, gets across and clips it down to fine leg for a brace. |
| 8.3 : V Philander to Mendis, Full and closer to off, that's a good leave by Mendis. |
| 8.4 : V Philander to Mendis, Good length outside off, snakes away late as Kusal doesn't offer a shot. |
| 8.5 : V Philander to Mendis, SIX! That's gone all the way! Dug in short on middle, Mendis swivels on the pull but makes fairly good contact. Aerial and it just clears deep backward square leg for a maximum. Wasn't entirely in control but it was in the gap. |
| 8.6 : V Philander to Mendis, Good length outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| The debutant DUANNE OLIVIER comes on to bowl. |
| 9.1 : D Olivier to Silva, Length ball outside off, extra bounce and it hits Silva high on the bat. Rolls towards cover. |
| 9.2 : D Olivier to Silva, Dug in short on off, Silva ducks under it instantly. |
| 9.3 : D Olivier to Silva, A bit fuller outside off, some shape away, left alone to the keeper. |
| 9.4 : D Olivier to Silva, Good length outside off, shapes away, Silva plays well inside the line of it. |
| 9.5 : D Olivier to Silva, Length ball around off, blocks well from the crease. |
| 9.6 : D Olivier to Silva, That's a bumper on off, Silva ducks under it. |
| KAGISO RABADA comes into the attack. |
| 10.1 : K Rabada to Mendis, Length ball but too far outside off, that's an easy leave for Mendis. |
| 10.2 : K Rabada to Mendis, Dug in short well down the leg side, Mendis gets across a bit and lets it pass. |
| 10.3 : K Rabada to K Mendis, FOUR! EDGED BUT SAFE! Length ball outside off, Mendis chases it and gets a thickish edge that goes flies just past third slip towards the fence for a boundary. There was a lot of risk involved there and Mendis knows it. |
| 10.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, FOUR! SHOT! No risk about this at all. Shot of the innings so far. Full and wide outside off, Mendis leans into it and thumps it emphatically on the up through the covers for a boundary. Pure class written all over the shot. |
| 10.5 : K Rabada to Mendis, Good length outside off, hangs back and blocks well. |
| 10.6 : K Rabada to Mendis, Length ball outside off, Mendis lets it pass to the keeper. |
| 11.1 : D Olivier to Silva, Good length closer to off, stays back and defends it towards cover. Extra bounce once more for the debutant. |
| 11.2 : D Olivier to Silva, Fuller on leg stump, shuffles across and wrists it through backward square leg for a single. |
| 11.3 : D Olivier to Mendis, Full outswinger around off, Mendis pushes at it but gets it off the outer half through cover-point for a single. |
| 11.4 : D Olivier to Silva, Good length outside off, shapes away, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 11.5 : D Olivier to Silva, Full and outside off, presses forward and blocks it to cover. |
| 11.6 : D Olivier to Silva, Good length on off, Silva shuffles across and blocks. |
| 12.1 : K Rabada to Mendis, Full and well outside off, comfortably left alone to the keeper. |
| 12.2 : K Rabada to Mendis, Fuller on the fifth stump line, that's a sound leave from the opener. |
| 12.3 : K Rabada to Mendis, Dug in short around off, Mendis sways away from the line of the bumper. |
| 12.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, Back of a length outside off, Mendis hangs back and punches it nicely past cover for a couple. |
| 12.5 : K Rabada to Mendis, Lovely ball! Good length angled in around off, shapes away late to beat the outside edge. Extra bounce on display as well. |
| 12.6 : K Rabada to Mendis, Length ball outside off, pushes it well off the front foot past cover-point for a brace. TEA ON DAY 2. |
| Fairly decent session for the Lankans. They lost Karunaratne in the first over for a duck but Silva and Mendis have hung in well on this spicy surface. There have been some close calls but you'd expect that on such a pitch. Philander has bowled really well but the rest haven't quite been probing yet. Earlier in the session, SL wrapped up the last 2 wickets for 28 runs to complete a good comeback in the day. The tourists will hope to build well after tea to compete in the game while SA will want |
| ...DAY 2, SESSION 3... |
| Welcome back for the final session of the day. will Sri Lanka manage to see off the final session without much hiccup or will South Africa sneak a few by stumps? Let's wait and find out. Out come the concerned players. It's quite dark at the moment at the Wanderers. DUANNE OLIVIER to start proceedings after tea. |
| 13.1 : D Olivier to Silva, Length ball outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 13.2 : D Olivier to Silva, Fuller ball closer to off, that's a nice leave from Silva. |
| 13.3 : D Olivier to Silva, Good length on middle, nips in to rap Silva on the pads through backward square leg. No signal from the umpire as the batsmen cross over. |
| 13.4 : D Olivier to Mendis, Beaten! Probing stuff. Full and just outside off, Mendis is drawn into the poke and is beaten as he tries in vain to withdraw the blade late. |
| 13.5 : D Olivier to Mendis, Fuller outside off, pats it back to the bowler. |
| 13.6 : D Olivier to Mendis, Spears it well wide outside off, no shot offered to that one. |
| KAGISO RABADA from the other end. |
| 14.1 : K Rabada to Silva, Back of a length outside off, shapes away as Silva lets it pass. |
| 14.2 : K Rabada to Silva, Fuller on the fifth stump line, shaping away as Silva leaves it alone. |
| 14.3 : K Rabada to Silva, Full and just outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 14.4 : K Rabada to Silva, Dug in short on off, Silva ducks comfortably under the bumper. |
| 14.5 : K Rabada to Silva, OUT! Rabada strikes! Back of a length outside off, moves away very late as Silva pokes tentatively at it. Gets a thin nick that is gobbled up by de Kock behind the stumps. Perfect start for the Proteas after tea. Silva would be gutted after having started well with patience. |
| DHANANJAYA DE SILVA is the new man in. |
| 14.6 : K Rabada to Silva, Full and outside off, leans into it and blocks well. |
| 15.1 : D Olivier to Mendis, Fuller on off, leans across and drives it towards mid on. |
| 15.2 : D Olivier to Mendis, Full and outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 15.3 : D Olivier to Mendis, Dug in short around off, Mendis ducks under the bumper. |
| 15.4 : D Olivier to Mendis, Lovely outswinger outside off, shaping away, Mendis pushes at it but gets the outside edge. Doesn't carry to gully where it is well stopped by Duminy. |
| 15.5 : D Olivier to Mendis, Full and angled in around off, Kusal pushes at it but gets it off the outer half towards point. |
| The lights have been switched on at the Wanderers. |
| 15.6 : D Olivier to Mendis, Beaten! Loose from Mendis as he flashes at a length ball outside off. No footwork and he makes no contact. |
| 16.1 : K Rabada to Silva, Dug in short around off, de Silva is surprised by the extra bounce as he tries to fend. He's lucky not to get a nick. |
| 16.2 : K Rabada to Silva, Good length slanting in from around off, shapes away late to beat the outside edge. |
| 16.3 : K Rabada to Silva, Length ball wider outside off, that's an easy leave for de Silva. |
| 16.4 : K Rabada to Silva, Beautiful bowling! Fuller and on fourth stump channel, draws de Silva forward and the ball whistles past the outside edge due to the late away movement. |
| 16.5 : K Rabada to Silva, Fullish around off, de Silva pushes at it with an angled bat towards point. |
| 16.6 : K Rabada to Silva, Dug in short outside off, harmless delivery and easily left alone. |
| 17.1 : D Olivier to Mendis, FOUR! Half-chance goes down! Fuller and on the pads, Mendis gtes across to glance it down the leg side. De Kock dives to his left but cannot reach it as the ball races to the fine leg fence. For a moment, Mendis might have had his heart in his mouth. |
| 17.2 : D Olivier to Mendis, Length ball well outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 17.3 : D Olivier to Mendis, FOUR! CREAMED! Fullish outside off, Mendis gets on the front foot and times the cover drive sweetly. Footwork was the key there and it enabled him to negate the away movement. Probably a bit too full from Olivier. |
| 17.4 : D Olivier to Mendis, Slips one down the leg side again, this time Mendis cannot get any bat on it. |
| 17.5 : Olivier to K Mendis, DROPPED! You don't get easier return catches than these and Olivier would be gutted. It could have been his maiden Test wicket and he has only himself to blame. Fuller around off, Mendis goes across to drive but ends up spooning it back at Olivier who tries to take the return catch but spills the offering. It did travel quickly but these are taken at this level. |
| 17.6 : D Olivier to Mendis, Length ball outside off, Mendis is beaten on the poke. |
| 18.1 : K Rabada to de Silva, Good length on middle, defended solidly off the back foot to the leg side. It came off the inside edge. |
| 18.2 : K Rabada to Silva, FOUR! EASY PICKINGS! Full and on the pads, de Silva gets across to that one and flicks it away easily down to fine leg for a boundary. He's off the mark finally. |
| 18.3 : K Rabada to Silva, Good length around off, blocked solidly from the crease. |
| 18.4 : K Rabada to Silva, Length ball on middle, gets across a bit and blocks firmly. |
| 18.5 : K Rabada to Silva, Good length on the pads, de Silva gets across and clips it to fine leg for a run. |
| 18.6 : K Rabada to Mendis, Full on off, Mendis plays around his front pad and pushes it to the bowler. |
| 19.1 : D Olivier to Silva, Good length outside off, shapes away, left alone to the keeper. |
| 19.2 : D Olivier to Silva, Length ball outside off, de Silva hangs back and steers it just past backward point for a couple. |
| 19.3 : D Olivier to Silva, Fuller outside off, presses forward and blocks well. |
| 19.4 : D Olivier to Silva, Length ball outside off, stays back and blocks. |
| 19.5 : D Olivier to Silva, Good length on middle, de Silva hangs back to block but is struck on the thigh pad. |
| 19.6 : D Olivier to Silva, Length ball well outside off, de Silva lets it pass. |
| 20.1 : K Rabada to Mendis, Back of a length around off, Mendis doesn't let it pass to the keeper. |
| 20.2 : K Rabada to Mendis, OUT! THAT'S A CRACKER! Nothing much Mendis could have done there and he's out of here. Dug in short around off, angled into his body and he tries to fend at it. The ball keeps climbing at him alarmingly and pops up off the handle and then glove towards Duminy at gully. Easy catch taken and it's the local boy who is at it again. His father in the stands is beaming. Mendis goes after having got his eye in. SL trail by 364. |
| ANGELO MATHEWS walks out to bat. |
| 20.3 : K Rabada to A Mathews, FOUR! ALMOST GONE FIRST BALL! Back of a length on middle, Mathews is squared up totally as he looks to block by shuffling across. The edge just flies past third slip to the fence. The SL captain is away, albeit in unconvincing manner. |
| 20.4 : K Rabada to Mathews, Length ball on middle, tucked towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 20.5 : K Rabada to Silva, Pitched up on middle and leg, de Silva gets across and clips it past mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 20.6 : K Rabada to Silva, THAT WAS CLOSE! Back of a length on middle, gets across to flick but gets an inside edge that just flies past Cook at short leg. Single taken. |
| VERNON PHILANDER comes back on. |
| 21.1 : V Philander to Silva, Length ball wider outside off, shapes further away as de Silva lets it pass. |
| 21.2 : V Philander to Silva, Full on fourth stump line, watchfully left alone to the keeper. |
| 21.3 : V Philander to Silva, Back of a length outside off, stays back and defends it towards cover. |
| 21.4 : Philander to Silva, OUT! POOR SHOT! The Lankans are imploding at the moment as Philander has his second. Fuller ball outside off, shaping away, de Silva goes for a wild drive away from the body and gets a slice towards point. Bavuma times his leap perfectly to take a really brilliant catch. Superb stuff from him but it was a really bad shot from de Silva in the first place. |
| DINESH CHANDIMAL is the new man in. |
| 21.5 : V Philander to Chandimal, Full and around off, the inswinger this time and Chandimal adjusts to block it to short mid-wicket. |
| 21.6 : V Philander to Chandimal, Length ball outside off, gets on the front foot and blocks it solidly to the off side. |
| 22.1 : K Rabada to Mathews, Back of a length ball outside off, Mathews punches it through covers for a single. |
| 22.2 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Fuller in length and around off, moving away, Chandimal shoulders his arms. |
| 22.3 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Angles it in on middle, Chandimal looks to flick it across the line but misses and is hit on the pads as the ball rolls towards the bowler. |
| 22.4 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Lovely bowling! Rabada hurls a full length delivery outside off, moves away further after pitching and tempting the Lankan keeper to go after it. He obliges as he looks to drive it away from the body. Much to his delight he didn't nick one behind. |
| 22.5 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Good bowling and played well equally! Rabada fires in a yorker at 143.8 kph, Dinesh does well to keep it at bay. |
| 22.6 : K Rabada to Chandimal, In the channel outside off, DC leaves it alone for his counterpart to collect. |
| 23.1 : V Philander to Mathews, What a ball! Philander hurls a back of a length ball and it moves away ever so slightly with nice bounce on it, Mathews is caught in his crease as he looks to give it a tentative poke. Is beaten all ends up. |
| 23.2 : V Philander to Mathews, Good length ball on middle and leg, clipped towards the on side for a quick single. |
| 23.3 : V Philander to D Chandimal, Chance of a run out! Touch short and outside off, Chandimal taps it towards covers and sets off. Angelo sends him back as he sees Parnell charging towards the ball. He has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Things would have been interesting had that hit but for now Dinesh can breathe a sigh of relief. The ball goes through towards fine leg for a single. |
| 23.4 : V Philander to Mathews, AM defends it from within the crease. |
| 23.5 : V Philander to Mathews, Back of a length delivery on middle, defended with a straight bat. |
| Strong wind is blowing across the stadium. It has gone really dark out there. I fear something now... |
| 23.6 : V Philander to Mathews, Angles it in from around off, it straightens a bit after pitching, Mathews is happy to leave it alone. |
| Wayne Parnell is called back into the attack! |
| 24.1 : W Parnell to Chandimal, Fuller and angling in on the pads, Chandimal clips it uppishly towards backward square leg. Philander from fine leg comes across to his left to cut it off. A couple taken. |
| 24.2 : W Parnell to Chandimal, On a length and shaping away, the batsman offers no stroke. |
| 24.3 : W Parnell to Chandimal, Good length ball on off, curling back in nicely, Chandimal watches it till the last moment and then lifts his bat to let it go through. |
| 24.4 : W Parnell to Chandimal, Nips back in again, this time Chandimal shuffles a bit to flick but gets it off the inner part of the bat towards short mid-wicket. |
| 24.5 : W Parnell to Chandimal, Prods froward to this full ball and keeps it out gently. |
| 24.6 : W Parnell to Chandimal, Fuller in the channel outside off, Dinesh shoulders his arms to that one. |
| 25.1 : V Philander to Mathews, Back of a length ball outside off, Mathews gets back to play it inside the line but the ball moves away a shade and just misses the outside edge. No run. |
| 25.2 : V Philander to Mathews, Good fielding! On a length and angling it in on the pads, Angelo clips it off his hips and Stephen Cook at backward short leg dives to stop it on the bounce. Good piece of alertness shown there by the Protea opener. |
| 25.3 : V Philander to Mathews, Stays behind the line and defends it down safely. |
| 25.4 : V Philander to Mathews, Almost a wicket! Philander is causing some serious threat to the Lankan skipper. He dishes out another back of a length ball on off, it rises off the deck and takes Mathews by surprise who feels for it but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 25.5 : V Philander to Mathews, Ahhhh... beaten once more! On a length and once again gets it to shape away from the batsman, Mathews tries to defend it away from the body but is once again beaten past the outside edge. |
| 25.6 : V Philander to Mathews, Touch short and outside off, tapped towards covers for an easy single. |
| 26.1 : W Parnell to Mathews, Angles it down the leg side, Mathews looks to flick but gets some gloves on it. The ball rolls towards fine leg and a single is completed. The umpire signals it as a leg bye. |
| 26.2 : W Parnell to Chandimal, Fuller in length and moves away a bit, Chandimal comes forward only to leave it again. |
| 26.3 : W Parnell to Chandimal, Length ball, curling back in a bit, Chandimal looks to flick but his bottom hand comes off as the ball rolls towards the on side. |
| 26.4 : W Parnell to Chandimal, Outside off, DC makes an easy leave to the keeper. |
| 26.5 : W Parnell to Chandimal, Gets on top of the bounce and defends it down safely. |
| 26.6 : W Parnell to Chandimal, Length ball, angling across, Chandimal punches it towards point where Bavuma dives to his right to stop it. |
| 27.1 : V Philander to Mathews, Hops a bit and fends it away on the off side. |
| 27.2 : V Philander to A Mathews, Mathews gets forward and drives it straight to the man at extra cover. |
| 27.3 : V Philander to Mathews, Good length ball, keeps going away, Mathews gets across and still tries to poke at it. Why would you want to do that, just let it be Angi. |
| 27.4 : V Philander to Mathews, Fuller in length and around off, Mathews drives it through covers. Gets it through the gap and picks up another three. |
| 27.5 : V Philander to Chandimal, On a length and in the channel outside off, it's left alone. |
| 27.6 : V Philander to Chandimal, Fuller and curling away late, Chandimal is beaten on the poke. I am sure Philander could feel Lakmal. The latter kept bowling in probing zone and saw the ball beat the outside edge umpteenth times. |
| Drinks are on the field! |
| 28.1 : W Parnell to Mathews, On a length and outside off, Mathews is solid in his defense. |
| 28.2 : W Parnell to Mathews, Back of a length ball outside off, Angelo taps it towards the off side. |
| 28.3 : W Parnell to Mathews, The Sri Lankan skipper hangs back and offers a straight blade. |
| 28.4 : W Parnell to Mathews, Gets a bit across and tucks it towards the leg side. |
| And this had to come at some point of time. Out come the light meters as both the umpires take the reading. It's not good enough, actually it wasn't good enough since a very long time, don't know how and why were they continuing. The square is covered and the players are off the field. Seeing the current scenario, it doesn't seem like the light will improve. But let's wait and hope for the best. Stay tuned... |
| UPDATE 2025 IST - The inevitable has happened. The light continues to fade at the Wanderers and the umpires have decided to CALL IT A DAY! |
| South Africa have a firm grip in this dead rubber as they not only managed to post a huge total on the board but then have reduced Sri Lanka to 80/4 and are ahead by 346 runs at the moment. Their was a time when Mendis and Silva did manage to hold waters but once the last session was underway, the partnership crumbled and that brought the Islanders' mainstay - Chandimal and Mathews to the crease. They have been asked numerous questions by the home side pacers and are lucky to still be at the cre |
| Right then! Will we see the Lankans putting up a fight or will the hosts wrap them up and enforce the follow-on? It remains to be seen. The forecast for tomorrow isn't pleasing as well and let's hope nothing as such happens and we get to witness an entire day's play. Join us tomorrow at 1330 IST to catch all the action from day 3. Until then, it's goodbye from us. Cheers! |
| .....DAY 3, SESSION 1..... |
| Hello and welcome to our coverage of the third day's play. Sri Lanka faced a torrid time yesterday and were saved by bad light with the ball hooping around prodigiously. With another 147 runs needed to avoid follow-on, a lot depends on the current pair which also is Sri Lanka's most experienced duo. The weather forecast isn't great for today as well and it's currently quite murky. The lights are on as well. Let's hope inclement weather doesn't play spoilsport. |
| The players and umpires are making their way out to the middle. The Lankan batsmen Mathews and Chandimal will continue from where they left off. Wayne Parnell will finish his pending over. Let's play... |
| 28.5 : W Parnell to Mathews, Starts from around the wicket and serves a length ball outside off, it's easily left alone. |
| 28.6 : W Parnell to Mathews, Touch short and angling in, Angelo stays back and offers a straight bat defense. |
| Vernon Philander will bowl from the other end! |
| 29.1 : V Philander to Chandimal, Fuller in length and around off, Chandimal defends it down. |
| 29.2 : V Philander to Chandimal, Fuller again and nipping in a bit, DC looks to defend it off the front foot but gets it off the inner part of the bat towards short leg who collects it on the bounce. |
| 29.3 : V Philander to Chandimal, Fuller and swinging away nicely, Chandimal lunges forward to drive this but is beaten by the away swing. |
| 29.4 : V Philander to Chandimal, On a length and nice shape away from the batsman, Chandimal withdraws his bat to let it go. |
| 29.5 : V Philander to Chandimal, Fuller and this one curls back in a shade, Dinesh gets across and pushes it straight to mid on. |
| 29.6 : V Philander to Chandimal, Good length ball around off, Chandimal gets forward and taps it towards covers for a quick single. |
| Kagiso Rabada is introduced into the attack now, replacing Parnell! |
| 30.1 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Comes steaming in and straightaway angles it in on middle, Chandimal stays back to defend it down. |
| 30.2 : K Rabada to Chandimal, Fuller and outside off, it's pushed through the gap at covers. Bavuma quickly gets to the ball but couldn't stop the single. |
| 30.3 : K Rabada to Mathews, On a length and around off, Angelo taps it towards the off side and looks for the single. Temba is too quick this time and doesn't allow the batsmen to cross. |
| 30.4 : K Rabada to Mathews, FOUR! Edgy! On a length and just outside off, with some gentle bounce on it. Mathews stays in the crease to defend but gets a thick outside edge past a diving Duminy at gully for a boundary towards third man. |
| 30.5 : K Rabada to Mathews, Rises up on the toes and fends it away on the off side. |
| 30.6 : K Rabada to Mathews, FOUR! Easily put away! Rabada sprays it down the leg side, Mathews doesn't miss out on the freebie. He gets across and works it beautifully in front of square to pick up another boundary in the over. |
| 31.1 : V Philander to Chandimal, OUT! Edged and Chandimal departs! Philander draws first blood this morning. He hurls it on a length and gets it to shape away slightly from the batsman, Chandimal still feels for it and tries to poke. Gets a thick outside edge for de Kock to take a regulation catch. Sri Lanka now have lost half their side and trail by 336 runs. |
| 0.0 : Upul Tharanga walks in next! |
| 31.2 : V Philander to Tharanga, On a length and just outside off, Upul plays it inside the line. |
| 31.3 : V Philander to Tharanga, Fuller and curling in, Tharanga brings his bat and pad close to defend it towards the off side. |
| 31.4 : V Philander to Tharanga, Fuller and angling in, UT shuffles a bit and flicks it towards mid on where Rabada fails to stop it. A single is taken and the southpaw is off the mark. |
| 31.5 : V Philander to A Mathews, Edged but falls short! Good length delivery, swings away a bit, Mathews looks to defend but gets a thick outside edge which falls short of Elgar at third slip. |
| 31.6 : V Philander to Mathews, In the corridor outside off, the Lankan skipper has got nothing to do with it. |
| 32.1 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Bangs in a short ball on middle, Upul ducks to evade it. |
| 32.2 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Rabada once again hits the deck hard, it shoots further off the deck but the southpaw is happy to calmly sit under it. |
| 32.3 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Outside off, the batsman doesn't offer any stroke. |
| 32.4 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 32.5 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Angles it in from outside off, Tharanga looks to clip it away but misses and is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 32.6 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Length ball around off, Tharanga comes forward to defend but the ball beats the outside edge to the keeper. |
| 33.1 : V Philander to Mathews, Stays behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 33.2 : V Philander to Mathews, Tad full and nips in a shade, it's bunted back to Philander. |
| 33.3 : V Philander to Mathews, Length ball, shapes away with bounce, AM makes an easy leave to de Kock. |
| 33.4 : V Philander to Mathews, Back of a length delivery on off, Mathews gets back to let it be. |
| 33.5 : V Philander to Mathews, Good length ball on off, defended down gently. |
| 33.6 : V Philander to Mathews, On a length and pitches it around off, Angelo defends it towards covers. |
| 34.1 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Fuller in length and outside off, Upul prods forward in defense. |
| 34.2 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Short of a length ball on off, UT arches back to evade it. |
| 34.3 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Back of a length ball on off, Tharanga drops his wrists to let it go. |
| 34.4 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Fuller and down the leg side, flicked towards fine leg for a single. |
| 34.5 : K Rabada to A Mathews, Fuller and around off, Mathews looks to drive but gets it off the outer part of the bat which goes on the bounce to Bavuma at point. |
| 34.6 : K Rabada to Mathews, Back of a length and gives a little bit of width as well. Mathews tries to thwack it towards the off side but is beaten by the extra bounce there. |
| 35.1 : V Philander to U Tharanga, On a length and curls back in a bit, Tharanga looks to defend it off the front foot but misses as the ball goes off the pads towards Amla at first slip. They could have appealed but they don't for some reason. Height? |
| 35.2 : V Philander to Tharanga, Covers the line and defends it down gently. |
| 35.3 : V Philander to Tharanga, Fuller and hurled on the pads, Tharanga flicks it through mid-wicket. Rabada from mid on gives it a chase and does well to scoop the ball back in play. Easy three picked up. |
| Angelo Mathews is given out LBW but he opts for the review. |
| 35.4 : Philander to A Mathews, NOT OUT! Inside edge! Philander hurls a length ball and it nips back in a bit, Mathews looks to play it across the line but misses and is hit on the pads. They appeal and umpire Bruce Oxenford rules it out. Mathews walks towards his partner and takes the review. Ultra Edge shows there is some part of wood involved which saves the Sri Lankan skipper. Nobody can believe how did he get an inside edge there. Even umpire Oxenford is shocked. |
| 35.5 : V Philander to Mathews, Outside off, Mathews goes after it but is beaten again. |
| 35.6 : V Philander to Mathews, AM goes after a wide one and misses. |
| 36.1 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Angles in a length ball, Tharanga looks to defend but gets an inside edge on the pads. |
| 36.2 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Short of a length ball on off, Tharanga has got nothing to do with it. |
| 36.3 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Comes in nicely from outside off, Upul shoulders his arms. |
| 36.4 : K Rabada to Tharanga, FOUR! Tickled! Kagiso gets the line wrong this time as he sprays it down the leg side. Tharanga just clips it on its way down to fine leg and picks up a boundary to his name. |
| 36.5 : K Rabada to Tharanga, On the pads, worked away towards mid-wicket for a single. 100 up for SL! |
| 36.6 : K Rabada to Mathews, OUT! Quinton de Kock, you freaking beauty! He's made a habit of pulling out such one-handed stunners, hasn't he? On a length and just outside off, moves away ever so slighlty with some bounce. Mathews feels for it and as a result goes after it. An outside edge is induced and de Kock behind the stumps dives almost near Amla at first slip and takes a ridiculous catch. The ball was almost dipping in front of him but he pouches it with so much ease. Gets up immediately and |
| Ranaga Herath is the new man in! |
| 37.1 : V Philander to U Tharanga, Good length ball on middle, defended off the outer part of the bat. |
| 37.2 : V Philander to Tharanga, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 37.3 : V Philander to Tharanga, Gets behind the line and blocks it out solidly. |
| South Africa have taken an LBW appeal against Tharanga. Looks like it's going down leg. |
| 37.4 : Philander to Tharanga, NOT OUT! What a waste of a review! Philander bowls a length ball on middle, it curls back in as Tharanga misses his flick and is hit on the pads. They appeal but the umpire stays unmoved. Faf then takes the review and replays show it was clearly going down leg. |
| 37.5 : V Philander to Tharanga, UT has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 37.6 : V Philander to Tharanga, Tharanga presses forward and defends it down on the off side. |
| 38.1 : K Rabada to Herath, How did that miss? Very full and around off, almost a yorker and it tails back in sharply. Herath is late to bring his bat down and misses. That was tantalizingly close to the off pole. |
| 38.2 : Rabada to Herath, Watch your toes Rangi! The veteran gets a toe-crushing yorker on middle, tails in to crash into the toe as he misses the flick. Huge lbw appeal but it was missing leg. |
| 38.3 : K Rabada to Herath, Dug in short around off, Herath mistimes the pull over mid on. Clears the fielder for a brace. |
| 38.4 : K Rabada to Herath, Fuller on the pads, clipped on the leg side for a single. |
| 38.5 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Fuller and wide outside off, the batsman looks to drive but gets it off the inner bat of the bat back to the bowler. |
| 38.6 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Full and strayed down the leg side, Upul looks to flick but misses. de Kock dives full length to his right to stop it. Another superb effort to stop some runs for his side. |
| Wayne Parnell is called back into the attack, replacing Philander. |
| 39.1 : W Parnell to Herath, FOUR! Edged! On a length and just outside off, Herath looks to defend it away from the body but gets it off the outer part of the bat past gully. Two fielders give it a chase but fails to stop the boundary. |
| 39.2 : W Parnell to Herath, Good length ball outside off, punched off the back foot towards the off side. |
| 39.3 : Parnell to Herath, Length ball, angling in, Herath sticks in his crease to defend but is beaten by the inward movement and is hit on the knee roll. No appeal made as the height seemed to be an issue there. |
| 39.4 : W Parnell to Herath, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 39.5 : W Parnell to R Herath, Angles it into the body, Rangana swivel as his rolls his wrists to send it towards backward square leg for a single. |
| 39.6 : W Parnell to Tharanga, Tharanga looks to drive this full length delivery but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket. |
| Another change as Duanne Olivier comes into the attack, replacing Rabada! |
| 40.1 : D Olivier to Herath, Fuller in length and outside off, Herath looks to drive but is beaten all ends up. |
| 40.2 : D Olivier to Herath, OUT! Got him! Duanne Olivier gets his maiden Test scalp! And this bloke is absolutely delighted, well, that feeling is totally different. Back of a length ball on off, it rises off the deck and gets bigger on Herath. He tries to pull but is cramped for room. Gets a top edge which squirts towards backward square leg where Stephen Cook takes the simplest of the catches. |
| Drinks are on the field! |
| Suranga Lakmal is the new man in, replacing Herath! |
| 40.3 : D Olivier to Tharanga, Dug in short around off, Tharanga sways away from it. |
| 40.4 : D Olivier to Tharanga, FOUR! NICE SHOT! Fuller outside off, leans into it and creams it through the covers. Fluent stroke and it speeds to the fence. |
| 40.5 : D Olivier to Tharanga, Good length angled across the left-hander, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 40.6 : D Olivier to Tharanga, Length ball on middle, gets across and clips it through backward square leg for a single. |
| 41.1 : W Parnell to Tharanga, FOUR! NICE SHOT! Full and wide outside off, Tharanga leans into it and dishes out a lovely square drive through point. Beautifully struck and it's another boundary to the southpaw. |
| 41.2 : W Parnell to Tharanga, FOUR! Wow, even better stroke! Fuller outside off, Tharanga gets across and plays a punchy drive past mid off. Sweetly timed and it rockets to the fence. |
| 41.3 : W Parnell to Tharanga, Good length outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 41.4 : W Parnell to Tharanga, Good length closer to off, blocked solidly from the crease. |
| 41.5 : W Parnell to Tharanga, Fuller outside off, pushed gently to cover. |
| 41.6 : W Parnell to Tharanga, Dug in short on middle, Tharanga ducks under the bumper. |
| 42.1 : D Olivier to Lakmal, Beaten! Good length outside off, Lakmal pushes at it but the ball goes past the outside edge. |
| 42.2 : D Olivier to Lakmal, Back of a length outside off, blocked well off the back foot. |
| 42.3 : D Olivier to Lakmal, Dug in short down the leg side, Lakmal swivels to pull but misses. |
| 42.4 : D Olivier to Lakmal, Full and on fourth stump line, left alone to the keeper. |
| 42.5 : D Olivier to Lakmal, Fuller on off, worked to Cook at backward short leg who collects and fires a direct hit at the keeper's end but Lakmal was in. |
| 42.6 : D Olivier to Lakmal, Slips it down the leg side, gets across to whip it away but misses. |
| 43.1 : W Parnell to Tharanga, Keeps it outside off, no shot offered to that one. |
| 43.2 : W Parnell to Tharanga, Beaten! Length ball outside off, shapes away late to beat the outside edge. |
| 43.3 : W Parnell to Tharanga, Length ball angled in closer to off, Tharanga gets back to block but gets it off the outer half towards point for a single. |
| 43.4 : W Parnell to Lakmal, FOUR! Clubbed! Back of a length on middle, Lakmal hangs back and pulls it away over mid-wicket to find the fence. Cannot bowl short at such a pace even to the tail unless it's really well-directed. |
| 43.5 : W Parnell to Lakmal, Good length on middle, tails in, Lakmal gets his bat down in time. |
| 43.6 : W Parnell to Lakmal, OUT! GONE! Parnell has one to his name! Keeps it very full outside off, Lakmal cannot keep the drive down and Rabada gobbles up the chance at short extra cover. The procession continues for the Lankans. They still trail by 300. |
| LAHIRU KUMARA walks out to bat. |
| 44.1 : D Olivier to Tharanga, Good length angled away around off, blocked solidly from the crease. |
| 44.2 : D Olivier to Tharanga, OUT! OLIVIER HAS ANOTHER! Good length outside off, shaping away with extra bounce as Tharanga hangs his bat at it. The ball flies off the shoulder of the blade to third slip where Elgar pouches it safely. We are now down to the last wicket. Faf must be thinking regarding the follow-on now. |
| NUWAN PRADEEP is the last man in. |
| 44.3 : D Olivier to Pradeep, Good length outside off, dabbed with soft hands to gully off the outer half. |
| 44.4 : D Olivier to Pradeep, Back of a length outside off, Pradeep looks to poke at it but misses. |
| 44.5 : D Olivier to Pradeep, Falls safe! Dug in short around off, climbs on Pradeep who gets a top edge as he tries to fend. Falls safe past the silly point region. |
| 44.6 : D Olivier to Pradeep, Fuller on middle, Pradeep chips it over mid-wicket for a single. |
| 45.1 : W Parnell to Pradeep, Length ball on off, Pradeep pushes at it but gets an inside edge past leg stump for a single. |
| 45.2 : W Parnell to Kumara, Full and outside off, Kumara gets forward and pushes it to cover for a single. Big mix up but they get the run eventually. |
| 45.3 : W Parnell to Pradeep, Length ball outside off, Pradeep pushes tentatively at it and gets it past gully for a brace. |
| Parnell seems to have taken a great return catch. The umpires want to check if he has taken it cleanly. The soft signal from the umpires is OUT. |
| 45.4 : Parnell to Pradeep, OUT! That seals it! Fuller on off, Pradeep is early into the drive and pops it back at Parnell who dives forward on his followthrough to take the return catch. It is referred upstairs to see if he has taken it cleanly. The soft signal is out and the third umpire is relatively satisfied with the replays and the soft signal is vindicated. SRI LANKA HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 131. |
| Decimating performance by the Proteas. The remaining six Lankan wickets were taken for just 51 runs today in 17 overs. Rabada and Philander shared the spoils with a 3-fer apiece while Olivier and Parnell mopped up the tail. Mendis was the only fluent batsman in the innings and once he fell yesterday, nobody really showed the stomach for a fight. SOUTH AFRICA HAVE ENFORCED THE FOLLOW-ON. Mission impossible series continues for the Lankans. The SL second innings isn't far away. |
| 0.1 : V Philander to Karunaratne, The inswinger to start with but down the leg side, Karunaratne misses the flick. |
| 0.2 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Full and wide outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 0.3 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Length ball speared well outside off, easy leave for Dimuth. |
| 0.4 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Once again the inswinger is too straight from Philander, slips down the leg side as DK misses the flick. |
| 0.5 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Beaten! Length ball angled away closer to off, shapes away to beat the outside edge. |
| 0.6 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Length ball on the pads, this time Karunaratne clips it fine down the leg side to the deep for a brace. |
| KAGISO RABADA to share the new cherry. |
| 1.1 : K Rabada to Silva, OUT! RIPPER FROM RABADA! Silva has gone for a golden duck. How casual was that catch from de Kock? He made it look easy by taking with his right hand. Coming to the delivery, back of a length around off, climbs on Silva who is unable to cope with the extra bounce. The ball flies off the glove towards Quinton who does the rest. All the SA players are in splits including de Kock himself. Disastrous start for the Lankans, again! |
| KUSAL MENDIS walks out to bat. |
| 1.2 : K Rabada to Mendis, Almost another! A similar effort ball from Rabada around off, it's on the shorter side and springs at Mendis who is beaten while trying to fend it. Fiery start from KG and the heat is on the Lankans. |
| 1.3 : K Rabada to Mendis, Good length outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 1.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, Length ball well outside off, easy leave for Mendis. |
| 1.5 : K Rabada to Mendis, This is sprayed well down the leg side, Mendis looks to flick but misses. |
| 1.6 : K Rabada to Mendis, Good length outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 2.1 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Back of a length outside off, Karunaratne hangs back and pushes it past the covers. Doesn't reach the fence but they'll get three. |
| 2.2 : V Philander to Mendis, Full and outside off, shaping away sharply as Mendis plays well inside the line. |
| 2.3 : V Philander to K Mendis, Mendis survives! Beautiful outswinger on middle, he had to play at it and is squared up totally. Luckily for him, the edge doesn't carry to Amla at first slip. |
| 2.4 : V Philander to Mendis, FOUR! FAB SHOT! Back of a length outside off, Mendis stays back and punches it sweetly past the right of point fielder. Cracking stroke and it sped away to the fence in no time. |
| 2.5 : V Philander to Mendis, Beaten! Good length outside off, shapes away sharply as Mendis plays inside the line. |
| 2.6 : V Philander to Mendis, Beats the edge again! Length ball outside off, snakes away to whiz past the outside edge. |
| 3.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Fuller and around leg stump, Karunaratne misses the flick as it slips down the leg side to the keeper. |
| 3.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Full and on off, tailing in, Dimuth pushes at it but gets a thick inside edge. There was a short leg but it went well past his left towards the deep for a single. |
| 3.3 : K Rabada to Mendis, Beaten! Good length outside off, shapes away sharply to beat the outside edge. |
| 3.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, Mendis continues to flirt with danger. Back of a length angled in on off, Mendis hangs his bat at it but is beaten all ends up. |
| 3.5 : K Rabada to Mendis, Fullish outside off, driven fluently to cover where a misfield allows the single. |
| 3.6 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, The inswinger around off, a bit too full and Karunaratne bunts it past mid on for a couple. |
| Last over before lunch coming up. |
| 4.1 : V Philander to Mendis, Lovely bowling! Good length angled in around off, shapes away late as Mendis is beaten on the poke as he plays inside the line. |
| 4.2 : V Philander to Mendis, Once again! Fuller around off, Mendis is once again squared up as the ball whistles past the outside edge. |
| 4.3 : V Philander to Mendis, Good length outside off, moving away, Mendis shuffles a bit and shoulders arms to that one. |
| 4.4 : V Philander to Mendis, Good length outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 4.5 : V Philander to Mendis, Length ball outside off, Kusal lets the outswinger pass. |
| 4.6 : V Philander to Mendis, Fullish outside off, Mendis refuses to be tempted to play at the outswinger and lets it pass. LUNCH ON DAY 3. |
| Another dominating session for South Africa. They first cut through the Lankan innings with their pacers on fire and shot out the tourists in just 90 minutes. Faf decided to enforce the follow-on and Rabada struck off first ball to dismantle Silva and land the early blow. Another 282 runs needed to avoid the innings defeat and on this pitch, it seems miles away. Join us in a short while to see if Sri Lanka can put some sort of a fight. |
| .....DAY 3, SESSION 2..... |
| Welcome back for the second session. Can the Lankans get some sort of a partnership going to be competitive? Or will the Protea juggernaut roll on? We shall find out as the players and umpires are taking the field. Kagiso Rabada to begin proceedings after lunch. Here we go!!! |
| 5.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, On a length and just outside off, touch shorter as well, Dimuth is happy to leave it alone. |
| 5.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Pitches it up and it curls in a bit, Karunaratne bunts it back to Kagiso. |
| 5.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Bangs in a short ball on middle, the batsman ducks to evade it. |
| 5.4 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Fuller on the stumps, driven towards mid on. |
| 5.5 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Slips this one down the leg side, the southpaw looks to flick but fails to do so. Quinton moves to his right to collect it. |
| 5.6 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Touch fuller and outside off, pushed off the inner part of the bat back to the bowler. |
| Vernon Philander will bowl from the other end! |
| 6.1 : V Philander to Mendis, Fuller and angling in, it bites through the surface and squares Mendis completely. He gets an outside edge towards third slip as the ball bounces in front of the fielder there and goes through. A single taken. |
| 6.2 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Angles it on the pads, tucked towards mid-wicket. |
| 6.3 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Fuller on off, pushed back to the bowler with a straight blade. |
| 6.4 : V Philander to Karunaratne, In the channel outside off, Karunaratne shoulders his arms to it. |
| 6.5 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Fuller and down the leg side, flicked towards backward square leg for a single. |
| 6.6 : V Philander to Mendis, Mendis comes down the pitch to this length delivery and keeps it out gently. |
| A bit of taping for Mendis on his left thump. |
| 7.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Fires one in the blockhole, Dimuth tries to jam it out but gets an inside edge on the pads as the ball rolls towards mid off and they take a brace. |
| 7.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Short and slanting away from the batsman, DK looks to slash it through the off side but is beaten all ends up. |
| 7.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Back of a length on the hips, clipped through square leg for one. |
| 7.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, On a length and swings away late, Mendis looks to defend it away from the body but is beaten past the outside edge. |
| 7.5 : K Rabada to Mendis, Replica of the last delivery. Mendis is looking a bit itchy out there. |
| 7.6 : K Rabada to Mendis, Back of a length delivery outside off, Mendis lifts his bat and lets it go through to the keeper. |
| 8.1 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Good length ball served outside off, punched off the back foot towards covers for a single. |
| 8.2 : V Philander to Mendis, On a length and outside off, Mendis sees the width and tries to go after it. The ball rises off the deck and he gets beaten again. |
| 8.3 : V Philander to Mendis, Good length and angling in, Mendis defends it down. |
| 8.4 : V Philander to Mendis, Fuller and angling in, Kushal makes room and defends. |
| 8.5 : V Philander to Mendis, KM lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 8.6 : V Philander to Mendis, Outside off, Mendis once again offers no stroke to it. |
| 9.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Short of a length ball on middle and leg, Karunaratne swivels and plays a controlled pull shot to fine leg for one. |
| 9.2 : K Rabada to Mendis, Fuller outside off, moving away after pitching, Mendis can't resist as he looks to drive this. Fails to put any bat due to the away swing. |
| 9.3 : K Rabada to Mendis, Climbs from a length ball on off, Mendis gets into the awkward position and fends it away on the off side. |
| 9.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, Back of a length ball on off, Kusal plays it inside the line. |
| 9.5 : K Rabada to Mendis, FOUR! Up and over! Fuller in length and outside off, Mendis gets one right this time. Lunges a bit and just chips it inside out over covers. Gets a much-needed boundary as a lot of play and misses were happening. |
| 9.6 : K Rabada to Mendis, Strays on the pads, tucked fine down the leg side for a single. |
| 10.1 : V Philander to Mendis, FOUR! Crunched! Back of a length delivery outside off, Mendis gets back and punches it through point for a boundary. |
| 10.2 : V Philander to Mendis, Angles it in on middle, Kusal comes down the track to defend but misses and is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 10.3 : V Philander to Mendis, Gets back to this length ball and cuts it towards Bavuma at backward point who quickly releases a throw at the bowler's end but the non-striker was comfortably in. |
| 10.4 : V Philander to Mendis, KM dances down the track and does well to block the ball. |
| 10.5 : V Philander to Mendis, Fuller and angling in and then shapes away a shade, Mendis looks to poke at it but gets beaten. |
| 10.6 : V Philander to Mendis, In the air... safe! Fuller in length and around off, Mendis looks to give it a go. Completely miscues it towards covers and is lucky as the ball falls in the no man's land. A single taken. |
| 11.1 : K Rabada to Mendis, Fuller and around off, Kusal looks to drive it through the off side but the ball just whizzes past the off pole. |
| 11.2 : K Rabada to Mendis, Bowls a bumper down the leg side, Mendis ducks to evade it. |
| 11.3 : K Rabada to Mendis, Dug in short on middle and leg, the batsman once again sits under it. |
| 11.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, Stays back and defends it towards point. |
| 11.5 : K Rabada to Mendis, Shortish on off, goes straight with the angle, Mendis doesn't want to do business with it. |
| 11.6 : K Rabada to Mendis, Fuller and angling in, Mendis looks to drive but gets an inside edge on the pads as the ball lobs towards the on side. Rabada slips and is on the floor trying to reach but the ball was way away from his reach. |
| Wayne Parnell into the attack now. |
| 12.1 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, Parnell almost strikes! On a length and just outside off, Dimuth Karunaratne looks to poke at it but gets a thick outside edge towards third slip where Dean Elgar dives to his right to take it but the ball doesn't stick and rolls back which also allows them to take a single. A chance goes down abegging. |
| 12.2 : W Parnell to Mendis, FOUR! Shot! Back of a length delivery outside off, Mendis gets back and crunches it square of the wicket on the off side for a boundary. |
| 12.3 : W Parnell to Mendis, FOUR! On a length and down the leg side, Mendis just helps it on its way down to fine leg for back-to-back boundaries. Replays show it came off the gloves. |
| 12.4 : W Parnell to Mendis, On a length and this one comes back in with the angle, Kusal leaves it alone. |
| 12.5 : W Parnell to Mendis, OUT! Chopped on! Parnell is ecstatic. A catch was dropped on the first ball of the over but now he says I will do it myself! On a length and comes back in a bit and cramps Mendis for room who gets an inside edge that cannons on to the stumps. Mendis is gutted at himself as he walks back after seeing off the main pacers. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva is the new man in! |
| 12.6 : W Parnell to Silva, Length ball outside off, de Silva allows it to go through to the keeper. |
| 13.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Back of a length ball on middle and leg, clipped towards backward square leg for a single. |
| 13.2 : K Rabada to Silva, On the pads, tucked towards fine leg for a single. |
| 13.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Fuller and angling in, Dimuth looks to work it away on the leg side but gets an inside edge on the pads. |
| 13.4 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Rabada searches for the yorker but ends up serving an overpitched delivery, DK leans into it and drives it through covers for a couple. |
| 13.5 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Driven straight to the man at short extra cover. |
| 13.6 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Excellent yorker, right on the money! Kagiso fires in a yorker on the base of the middle pole at 140.4 kph, Karunaratne somehow manages to keep it out. |
| 14.1 : W Parnell to Silva, Fuller in length and outside off, de Silva lifts his bat and lets it go through to the keeper. |
| 14.2 : W Parnell to Silva, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 14.3 : W Parnell to Silva, Angles it away from the batsman, Dhananjaya tries tom play it inside the line but the ball shapes away. |
| 14.4 : W Parnell to Silva, Stays tall and defends this length ball with a straight blade. |
| 14.5 : W Parnell to Silva, Touch short and outside off, it's tapped towards the off side for a brisk single. |
| 14.6 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, Length delivery on off, defended nicely off the front foot. |
| Duanne Olivier is called back into the attack! |
| 15.1 : D Olivier to Silva, Angles in a length ball from around off, kept out nicely. |
| 15.2 : D Olivier to Silva, Leg bye! Strays down the leg side, DS looks to tuck it away on the leg side but fails to get any bat. It goes off the pads and a leg bye is taken. |
| 15.3 : D Olivier to Karunaratne, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. |
| 15.4 : D Olivier to Silva, Covers the line and defends knocks it out. |
| 15.5 : D Olivier to de Silva, Fuller in length and around off, de Silva leans into it and unfurls a drive past extra cover for an easy couple. |
| 15.6 : D Olivier to Silva, FOUR! Neatly done! Fuller and hurled on the pads, de Silva flicks it uppishly over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 16.1 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, Good length ball on middle, Dimuth defends it down. |
| 16.2 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 16.3 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, Angles in a length ball from around off, Dimuth looks to flick it across the line but misses and is rapped on the pads. The height was an issue there. |
| 16.4 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, Short and outside off, cut on the bounce to Bavuma at backward point. |
| 16.5 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, Fuller in length and outside off, defended into the ground. |
| 16.6 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, Nips back in from outside off, de Silva looks to flick it across the line but misses and is hit on the pads once more. |
| 17.1 : D Olivier to Silva, A loud shout for a caught behind, nothing from the umpire! On a length and straying down the leg side, de Silva looks to flick this one but the ball goes towards de Kock who takes it. They all go up in an appeal but umpire Oxenford stays unmoved. Replays show it went off the hips. Good call, Bruce! |
| 17.2 : D Olivier to Silva, Good length delivery outside off, defended down gently. |
| 17.3 : D Olivier to Silva, Fuller on off, the batsman looks to drive but gets it off the inner part of the bat towards short mid-wicket. |
| 17.4 : D Olivier to Silva, Dhananjaya stays behind the line and defends it. |
| 17.5 : D Olivier to Silva, Short and down the leg side, DS ducks to let that one sail over him to the keeper. |
| 17.6 : D Olivier to Silva, No ball! Back of a length ball on middle, rises off the deck. de Silva pulls it in front of square and gets a single. Olivier will have to reload as he oversteps. |
| D Olivier to D Karunaratne, Dimuth leans into it and caresses it past covers for a couple. |
| 18.1 : W Parnell to Silva, Just short of Temba! Back of a length and angling in, Mendis looks to tuck it away but gets a leading edge as the ball lobs up towards backward point. It was in the air and Bavuma dives forward to take it but the ball falls just short of him. |
| 18.2 : W Parnell to Silva, Good length ball on off, punched off the back foot towards covers. |
| 18.3 : W Parnell to Silva, Fuller on the pads, de Silva whips it towards fine leg for three runs. |
| 18.4 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, This one stays low but Karunaratne adjusts himself to keep it out. |
| 18.5 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, Length ball on middle and leg, tucked towards the leg side. |
| 18.6 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, Fuller on off, Dimuth looks to drive but gets it off the inner part of the bat towards mid on. |
| 19.1 : D Olivier to Silva, Good length outside off, bounce and away movement as de Silva plays well inside the line. |
| 19.2 : D Olivier to de Silva, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Olivier breaks the resistance that was looking to build a bit. To be honest, neither of the two batsmen were looking confident and were surviving quite a lot of close calls that it was only a matter of time. Coming to the ball, it was on a length around off, shapes away late as de Silva pushes tamely at it. The edge flies to second slip where du Plessis takes a good low catch. SL TRAIL BY 236. |
| Drinks break.... |
| ANGELO MATHEWS is the new man in. |
| 19.3 : D Olivier to A Mathews, FOUR! ALMOST ANOTHER! Mathews survives a real scare. Brute of a delivery from Olivier who bangs it short around off, climbs on Mathews who tries to fend awkwardly at it. Gets it off the edge and it flies just over the slip cordon to the third man fence. |
| 19.4 : D Olivier to Mathews, Fuller on middle, gets across and clips it past mid-wicket. |
| 19.5 : D Olivier to Karunaratne, Good length outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 19.6 : D Olivier to Karunaratne, Good length on middle, extra bounce and Karunaratne gets an inside edge high on the pads. |
| 20.1 : W Parnell to Mathews, Fuller on off, driven firmly back to Parnell who gets a hand to parry it to short mid-wicket. |
| 20.2 : W Parnell to A Mathews, Fuller on off, driven firmly to mid on. |
| 20.3 : W Parnell to Mathews, Uppish but in the gap. Fuller on the stumps, Mathews gets across and clips it aerially through mid-wicket. In the gap and it goes to the deep as the batsmen take three more. |
| 20.4 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, Length ball closer to off, blocked firmly from the crease to the off side. |
| 20.5 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, FOUR! Flashy shot! Back of a length outside off, Karunaratne sees the width and throws his bat at it. Gets a thickish edge that flies between the slips and gully to the third man fence. |
| 20.6 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, Length ball on middle and leg, worked through backward square leg for a single. |
| 21.1 : D Olivier to Karunaratne, Good length on middle, angling away as DK blocks off the back foot. |
| 21.2 : D Olivier to Karunaratne, Fuller and on the fourth stump channel, watchful leave by Dimuth. |
| 21.3 : D Olivier to Karunaratne, Good length around off, Karunaratne pushes at it with hard hands and gets an inside edge on to the pads. |
| 21.4 : D Olivier to Karunaratne, Good length sliding down the leg side, Karunaratne fails to get any bat on that. |
| 21.5 : D Olivier to Karunaratne, FOUR! TOP SHOT! Easily the best stroke he has played in this match. Full and outside off, Karunaratne leans into it and drives it with a closed bat face past the bowler. More of a punchy drive and it beats mid off to the fence. |
| 21.6 : D Olivier to Karunaratne, Full and around off, hits Karunaratne high on the bat as he looks to block it to cover. |
| 22.1 : W Parnell to Mathews, POOR SHOT! Length ball wider outside off, Mathews goes for the expansive drive with zero footwork and is beaten. |
| 22.2 : W Parnell to Mathews, Length ball angled in on off, worked off the back foot past mid-wicket for a run. |
| 22.3 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, FOUR! Nicely done! Back of a length outside off, a bit wide and Karunaratne cuts well through point to pick up a boundary. He seems to be gaining a bit of confidence now. |
| 22.4 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, Full inswinger on middle, tails in sharply to ping Dimuth on the front pad. |
| 22.5 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, FOUR! Lovely timing! Fuller ball outside off, gets on the front foot and dishes out an elegant punchy drive. Totally in control and times it sweetly to find the fence. |
| 22.6 : W Parnell to Karunaratne, Fuller on middle, Karunaratne is early into the drive and nearly spoons a catch to silly mid on. |
| 23.1 : D Olivier to Mathews, Good length wider outside off, shapes away, left alone to the keeper. |
| 23.2 : D Olivier to Mathews, Back of a length on off, rides the bounce and blocks it off the back foot to the leg side. |
| 23.3 : D Olivier to Mathews, Fuller on middle and off, gets across and pushes it gently through mid on for a brace. Rabada gives chase to cut it down. |
| 23.4 : D Olivier to Karunaratne, Beaten! Good length on middle, shapes away with extra bounce to whistle past the outside edge. |
| 23.5 : D Olivier to Karunaratne, Dug in short on leg stump, Karunaratne moves across a touch and tucks it down to fine leg for a single. |
| 23.6 : Olivier to A Mathews, OUT! TAKE A BOW, MR.FAF DU PLESSIS! What an absolute stunner! Mathews cannot believe it but he has to go. Poor shot selection it was anyway but he must have thought he got away. Back of a length ball outside off, he flashes hard at it and gets a thickish edge on it. Flies high over second slip where Faf leaps ferociously to take a one-handed blinder. Lands on the ground and kneels to give a pose to the crowd. Big blow to the Lankans as the captain departs. SL trail b |
| DINESH CHANDIMAL walks out to bat. |
| VERNON PHILANDER comes back on. |
| 24.1 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Fuller and angled in on the stumps, Dimuth gets across and clips it uppishly through mid-wicket. Rabada saves a run with a sliding stop near the fence. |
| 24.2 : V Philander to Chandimal, Fuller on middle and leg, gets across and clips it through backward square leg for a single. |
| 24.3 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Length ball outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 24.4 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Fuller and around off, leans across and pats back to the bowler. |
| 24.5 : V Philander to D Karunaratne, Full and on off, leans across and pushes it towards mid on. |
| 24.6 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Full and angled in outside off, good leave by Dimuth to end the over. |
| 25.1 : D Olivier to Chandimal, Play and a miss! Back of a length outside off, Chandimal is beaten on the push. |
| 25.2 : D Olivier to Chandimal, Length ball well outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 25.3 : D Olivier to Chandimal, Good length closer to off, blocked well from the crease. |
| 25.4 : D Olivier to Chandimal, Short ball and Chandimal ducks under it. |
| 25.5 : D Olivier to Chandimal, Back of a length on off, hangs back and blocks. |
| 25.6 : D Olivier to Chandimal, Good length well outside off, left alone to the keeper. |
| 26.1 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Fuller on middle, gets across and clips it through square leg for a brace. |
| 26.2 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Full on middle, Karunaratne pushes at it but gets an inside edge towards square leg. |
| 26.3 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Length ball around off, pushed off the back foot towards cover for a single. |
| 26.4 : V Philander to Chandimal, Fuller outside off, blocked well off the front foot. |
| 26.5 : V Philander to Chandimal, Peach! Good length outside off, Chandimal takes a couple of steps and pushes tentatively at it. The ball moves away to beat the outside edge. |
| 26.6 : V Philander to Chandimal, Length ball on off, defended well from the crease. |
| KAGISO RABADA is back for a burst before tea. |
| 27.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Good length angled in from outside off, defended well from the crease to short cover. |
| 27.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Back of a length outside off, angled in, Karunaratne flashes at it but misses due to the extra bounce. |
| 27.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Length ball outside off, angling in, left alone to the keeper. |
| 27.4 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, FOUR! Lovely shot by Dimuth! Back of a length outside off, he stays back and cuts it through the covers to find the fence. Rode the bounce well and strokes beautifully. Inches closer to his fifty. |
| 27.5 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Good length on off, gets across and blocks it on the back foot. |
| 27.6 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Length ball outside off, no stroke offered to that one. |
| 28.1 : V Philander to Chandimal, Fuller on off, Chandimal blocks it off the inside half of the blade. |
| 28.2 : V Philander to Chandimal, FOUR! Elegant shot! Fuller outside off, Chandimal moves forward and creams the drive effortlessly past mid off to find the fence. Graceful stroke from the vice-captain. |
| 28.3 : V Philander to Chandimal, FOUR! Does it again! Another delicious shot! Pitched up outside off, Chandimal takes a couple of steps and times another beautiful straight drive past the diving mid off fielder to find the fence. |
| 28.4 : V Philander to D Chandimal, Full on off, Chandimal pushes at it but gets an inside edge down to fine leg for a single. |
| 28.5 : V Philander to Karunaratne, Length ball outside off, hangs back and jabs it towards cover for a single. It's been a very gritty knock from the opener so far. He's had to dig in deep and deserves it but he'll know that his job is far away from being done. |
| 11th Test fifty for Dimuth Karunaratne! |
| 28.6 : V Philander to D Chandimal, OUT! SMART BOWLING! Philander is a very wily customer and he proves it once more. He had been struck for two boundaries in the over and Chandimal was taking a few steps down the pitch to negate the movement. Vernon this time shortens the length a bit and draws Dinesh into the push. The away movement does the rest and the edge is caught by Amla at first slip. SL have lost half their side now. THEY TRAIL BY 187. |
| UPUL THARANGA is the new man in. |
| 29.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Back of a length around leg stump, Karunaratne gets back to flick but misses it as it goes down the leg side to the keeper. |
| 29.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Dug in short on middle, DK ducks under the high bumper. |
| 29.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Karunaratne has been blown away by a Rabada special. Full and outside off, lures the opener into a loose drive but he has left a slight gap between bat and pad. The ball nips back in sharply to disturb the timber. Superb delivery this from the talented pacer and he signals to his dad who is proud in the crowd. This could be over very quickly today. |
| RANGANA HERATH is the new man in. |
| 29.4 : Rabada to R Herath, FOUR! ALMOST ANOTHER! Would have been another blinder by Faf but he shows that he is human as he can't reach this. Length ball around off, Herath pushes at it but gets a thick edge that flies just over a leaping du Plessis to the third man fence. |
| 29.5 : K Rabada to Herath, Dug in short on middle, Herath gets across and tucks it down to fine leg for a single. |
| 29.6 : K Rabada to Tharanga, FOUR! TOP SHOT! Full and outside off, Tharanga leans into it and drives it elegantly past mid off. Strokes it superbly and the ball rockets to the fence for a boundary. |
| 30.1 : V Philander to Herath, Fuller on leg stump, slips down the leg side as Herath misses the flick. |
| 30.2 : V Philander to Herath, Fullish and around off, swinging in, Herath somehow blocks it around his front pad. That was close to being an lbw. |
| 30.3 : V Philander to Herath, Fuller on middle, gets across and clips it down to fine leg for a single. |
| 30.4 : Philander to Tharanga, Lovely inswinger but tails in too much as it pings Tharanga on the front pad. |
| 30.5 : V Philander to Tharanga, Another inswinger that raps Tharanga on the front pad but missing leg again. |
| 30.6 : V Philander to U Tharanga, Fuller around off, tails in as Tharanga gets an inside edge down to fine leg for a single. |
| 31.1 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Good length outside off, gets back and blocks solidly. |
| 31.2 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Slips one down the leg side, Tharanga is beaten on the flick. |
| 31.3 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Length ball on leg stump, Upul tickles it towards leg gully. |
| 31.4 : K Rabada to Tharanga, FOUR! Back of a length outside off, Tharanga gets back and steers it wide of gully to find the fence. Used the pace of Rabada nicely on that occasion. |
| 31.5 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Back of a length outside off, Upul pushes at it but is beaten. |
| 31.6 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Fuller outside off, presses forward and blocks it well. |
| JP DUMINY comes on to bowl. It's the last over before tea. |
| 32.1 : JP Duminy to Herath, Tossed up very full around off, Herath just about manages to dig it out. Almost yorked himself there. |
| 32.2 : JP Duminy to Herath, Once again very full on off, jammed off the inner half to short leg. |
| 32.3 : JP Duminy to Herath, Drifting on the pads, gets back and clips it down to fine leg for a single. |
| 32.4 : JP Duminy to Tharanga, Drifting in from around off, blocked solidly off the front foot towards cover. |
| 32.5 : JP Duminy to Tharanga, Flighted around off, leans into it and blocks it towards cover. |
| 32.6 : JP Duminy to Tharanga, Flatter and very full on middle, Tharanga manages to keep it out with a nice defensive shot. TEA ON DAY 3. |
| I might be proving to repetitive but it's once again a very clinical session for South Africa. Olivier removed Dhananjaya and Mathews cheaply while Philander dismantled Chandimal. Karunaratne was the only batsman who fought hard for a fifty but he too perished just before tea to Rabada. It was another session of high class pace bowling from the Proteas. The writing is on the wall for SL and it's now only a matter of time as to when SA can wrap this up. Join us in a short while for what could be |
| .....DAY 3, SESSION 3..... |
| Welcome back for the post-tea session. How long can the Lankans survive? Can they stretch this game into the fourth day? I don't think so to be honest but I won't mind being proven wrong. Kagiso Rabada to start the proceedings with the ball. Let's roll... |
| 33.1 : K Rabada to Herath, Starts with a bumper on middle and leg, Herath ducks to evade it. |
| 33.2 : K Rabada to Herath, Once again bowls it down the leg side, Rangana moves inside the line to let it go. |
| 33.3 : K Rabada to Herath, Wide! Short of a length ball outside off, RH sits under it. It's too high and rightly called as a wide. |
| K Rabada to Herath, Fuller and wide outside off, Herath doesn't feel for it. |
| 33.4 : K Rabada to Herath, Angles it in on middle, Herath looks to defend but the ball bounces a bit and hits him on the glove. |
| 33.5 : K Rabada to Herath, FOUR! Lovely hit! Short and wide outside off, Herath stays put and cuts it powerfully through point for a boundary. |
| 33.6 : K Rabada to Herath, Fuller on the stumps, clipped towards mid-wicket. |
| Wayne Parnell to bowl from the other end! |
| 34.1 : W Parnell to Tharanga, Good length ball on middle, Tharanga looks to defend it but misses and is hit on the pads. |
| 34.2 : W Parnell to Tharanga, FOUR! Too easy! Angles it on the pads, Upul just uses the pace as he clips it fine down the leg side for a boundary. |
| 34.3 : W Parnell to Tharanga, Fuller in length and outside off, driven through covers for a single. |
| 34.4 : W Parnell to Herath, Back of a length ball outside off, Herath swivels to pull but gets it off the bottom part of the bat back to Parnell. |
| 34.5 : W Parnell to Herath, Bangs in a short ball on off, it's shoots off the deck as he looks to pull but fails to get any wood on it. |
| 34.6 : Parnell to R Herath, BEAUDYYYYY! Herath has to go! Parnell bangs in another short ball on off, it kicks off the deck again and takes Herath completely by surprise. He tries to fend it away but the ball keeps climbing on him, goes off the handle of the bat and spoons up towards Temba Bavuma at backward point who accepts the dolly gleefully. |
| SURANGA LAKMAL is the new man in. |
| 35.1 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Sprays it down the leg side, Upul looks to flick |
| 35.2 : K Rabada to Tharanga, Good length ball on off, pushed towards covers for a single. |
| 35.3 : K Rabada to Lakmal, Back of a length ball on middle, defended with a straight bat. |
| 35.4 : K Rabada to Lakmal, FOUR! Short of a length ball outside off, Lakmal pokes at it and gets a top edge that flies well over the slip cordon for a boundary. |
| 35.5 : K Rabada to Lakmal, FOUR! Sprayed on the legs, Lakmal flicks it towards backward square leg for back-to-back boundaries. |
| 35.6 : K Rabada to S Lakmal, Short and served on off, Lakmal once again slashes it. Gets it over the slip cordon but the man at third man cuts it off. Two runs picked up. |
| 36.1 : W Parnell to Tharanga, On a length and around off, Tharanga pushes it with an opened face towards point for a single. |
| 36.2 : W Parnell to Lakmal, Good length ball outside off, Lakmal throws his bat at it and gets beaten completely. |
| 36.3 : W Parnell to Lakmal, Lakmal stays back and pushes it towards point. |
| 36.4 : W Parnell to S Lakmal, FOUR! Back of a length ball on middle, Lakmal adjusts well as he pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 36.5 : W Parnell to Lakmal, Landed outside off, punched square off the wicket on the off side for nothing. |
| 36.6 : W Parnell to Lakmal, Goes back and punches it through covers for a single. |
| Duanne Olivier is brought back into the attack! |
| 37.1 : D Olivier to Lakmal, On a length and outside off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 37.2 : D Olivier to Lakmal, Good length delivery outside off, punched towards the man at covers. |
| 37.3 : D Olivier to Lakmal, Back of a length ball outside off, pushed towards the off side. |
| 37.4 : Olivier to S Lakmal, FOUR! Up and over the keeper! Back of a length ball on middle, Lakmal looks to pull but the bounce gets bigger on him. He gets a big top edge as the ball goes over the keeper for a boundary. |
| 37.5 : D Olivier to Lakmal, FOUR! Oh.. Stand and deliver stuff from Lakmal! Touch fuller and wide outside off, Suranga sees the width and decides to go after it. He goes for the booming drive as he sends it over the man at mid off for another boundary. |
| 37.6 : D Olivier to Lakmal, The batsman goes for the hook but misses the line of the delivery. |
| 38.1 : W Parnell to Tharanga, Bangs in a short ball on middle, Tharanga ducks to evade it. |
| 38.2 : W Parnell to Tharanga, FOUR! Classical drive! Fuller in length and outside off, Tharanga leans into it and drives it through covers for a rocketing boundary. |
| 38.3 : W Parnell to Tharanga, Short of a length ball on middle, UT looks to pull but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 38.4 : W Parnell to Tharanga, Fuller on the pads, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 38.5 : W Parnell to Lakmal, On a length and outside off, it shoots off the surface as Lakmal gets beaten on the poke. |
| 38.6 : Parnell to Lakmal, Parnell drops Lakmal! Fuller in length and around off, Suranga looks to drive this one but fails to keep it down. It goes back to the bowler who in his followthrough brings out his right hand instinctively but the ball doesn't stick. Some luck for Lakmal! |
| 39.1 : D Olivier to Tharanga, Length ball outside off, punched off the back foot towards covers. |
| 39.2 : D Olivier to Tharanga, On the pads, worked away through the on side for a single. |
| 39.3 : D Olivier to Lakmal, On a length and just around off, Lakmal pushes it towards the off side and sets off. He sets off for a single but is sent back in time by Upul. |
| 39.4 : D Olivier to Lakmal, Fuller in length and outside off, Lakmal chips it over mid off. Evades the man there and gets three. |
| 39.5 : D Olivier to Tharanga, FOUR! Leading edge... safe! Fuller in length and angling in, Tharanga looks to flick but gets a leading edge past a diving fielder at point for a boundary. |
| 39.6 : D Olivier to Tharanga, Short of a length ball and it moves away after pitching, Upul Tharanga looks to defend but the ball just beats the outside edge. Lovely piece of bowling this. |
| Sri Lanka are hanging on by a thread here. But, for how long? |
| 40.1 : W Parnell to S Lakmal, FOUR! Seems he was waiting for this! Back of a length ball on middle, Lakmal gets on the back foot, waits for it as he pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary to start the over. |
| 40.2 : W Parnell to Lakmal, Short and going down leg, Suranaga looks to pull but fails to get going. |
| 40.3 : W Parnell to Lakmal, Back of a length ball outside off, SL looks to play the upper cut but gets beaten by the extra bounce. |
| 40.4 : W Parnell to S Lakmal, Shortish again on middle, Lakmal pulls it towards mid-wicket. There is a fielder there this time and he gets only a single. |
| 40.5 : W Parnell to Tharanga, Comes forward and defends it down solidly. |
| 40.6 : W Parnell to Tharanga, OUT! Gone! If de Kock in the morning pulled off a stunner, Faf then took a screamer, JP Duminy now grabs a blinder backward running catch. How on earth do they get hold on to it? On a length and just around off, Tharanga looks to hit it across the line but gets a top edge that balloons over the slip cordon. The batsman must have thought he has felt he must have gotten away from it but no, JP runs back, keeps his eyes on the ball and then dives to take a beauty of a |
| Lahiru Kumara is the new man in! |
| 41.1 : D Olivier to Kumara, Short of a length ball on off, Kumara looks to defend but then decides to let it be. |
| 0.0 : South Africa have taken a review for a catch against Kumara. The umpire felt that it came off the shoulder while the Proteas feel that there was some glove involved. Let's find out. |
| 41.2 : D Olivier to Kumara, OUT! The decision is overturned! Duanne Olivier gets his third and the end is nigh for Sri Lanka now. Short of a length ball on middle, it keeps climbing on the batsman. Kumara looks to fend it away but misses as the ball lobs off something and goes into the safe hands of Stephen Cook at short leg. They all go up in an appeal but Oxenford says it's off the shoulder. Still Faf opts for the review and Ultra Edge shows a slight spike as the ball went past the glove. That' |
| Nuwan Pradeep is the last man in! |
| 41.3 : D Olivier to Pradeep, Short and bouncing a bit more, Pradeep leaves it alone. |
| 41.4 : D Olivier to Pradeep, Back of a length ball outside off, Nuwan looks to poke at it but gets beaten. |
| 41.5 : D Olivier to Pradeep, On a length and just outside off, Pradeep backs away to play at it but gets beaten all ends up. |
| 41.6 : D Olivier to Pradeep, Pradeep pushes this full toss towards covers and survives. |
| 42.1 : W Parnell to Lakmal, Short of a length ball on middle, Lakmal looks to pull but fails to get any wood on it. |
| 42.2 : W Parnell to Lakmal, Another short ball outside off, Suranaga looks to give this one a thwack and is beaten once more. |
| 42.3 : W Parnell to Lakmal, OUT! It's all over for the Lankans! Wayne Parnell brings out another short ball on middle, Suranga Lakmal once again goes for the pull. This time he gets the connection but via a top edge. It skies towards deep square leg where Philander calmly settles underneath it. The home side is jumping in delight as they have NOT ONLY AFFECTED A WHITEWASH but have also sealed this BY AN INNINGS AND 118 RUNS! |
| An absolute thrashing handed out to the Lankans by the Proteas. The visitors were never in the game or even in the series to be honest. The Proteas snapped up 16 wickets today in hardly 60 overs to inflict a massive defeat on the Islanders. Apart from Mendis in the first innings and Karunaratne in the second, none of the Lankan batsmen dug in on a testing surface with no partnerships at all. |
| It was an enjoyable outing for the Proteas bowlers as all of them shared the spoils. Rabada and Philander picked 3 scalps apiece in the first while debutant Olivier with a 4-fer and Parnell with a 3-fer were the main destroyers in the second innings for the hosts. The bowlers had a ball on the juicy Wanderers pitch after the SA batsmen had posted a total of 426 mainly due to centuries from Duminy and Amla. |
| The 292-run stand between Duminy and Amla proved to be massive in the context of the game as Sri Lanka in two innings could only tally 308 runs in total. Just goes to show how well they batted and also implies Sri Lanka's poor outing on day 1 with the ball. Pradeep, Lakmal and Kumara did redeem themselves on day two but it was too late by then. A forgettable series for the visitors as they were outplayed throughout. Certainly several questions to ponder on for them. |
| ANGELO MATHEWS is short of words to describe the shambolic performance by Sri Lanka. Feels that the pitch quickened up with uneven bounce on day two and three but still feels that conceding 400-plus cost them the game. States that they expected the series to be tough from the outset. Laments the batting failures in the series and hopes that his inexperienced side will learn from this tough tour. |
| JEAN-PAUL DUMINY (MAN OF THE MATCH) feels that it was good to bat first on this pitch as it got tougher on the second and third day. States that the positive approach from him this season has been a conscious effort and is glad that it's working. Says that he's continuously working on his batting and also lauds Amla for a century in his 100th Test. Praises the bowlers for their performances and also expresses pride in their fielding. |
| DEAN ELGAR (MAN OF THE SERIES) is very pleased at his success in the series on sporting pitches. Feels that it was crucial to show a lot of mental application on such surfaces. Opines that strong concentration helped him succeed. Accepts that the catching from South Africa, especially in the slips has been great and takes the praises for his own performances as well. Says that both the recent series had their own set of challenges. Hopes that the Proteas can keep up the momentum going forward. |
| FAF DU PLESSIS is very happy at another clinical performance from South Africa. Praises the batsmen for the effort for getting a big score and is expectedly pleased with the bowlers' contributions. Agrees that the heavy roller livened up the pitch after day one and is glad that his side already had a good score on board despite the collapse later on. Feels that the consistency by his side in the series is a very important thing as they look to progress as a Test side. Expresses happiness at the |
| That brings us to the end of the Test series but we aren't done yet. The two teams are set to battle in colored outfits with the 3-match T20I series and a 5-match ODI series set to follow. Sri Lanka will hope that they can compete better in the shorter formats. The first Twenty20 International begins on January 20 in Centurion from 2130 IST onwards. Do join us for that one. Till then, keep yourselves occupied with the India-England and Australia-Pakistan ODI series. Goodbye and take care. |
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