| 0.0 : Hello and welcome to the second and final Test match between Sri Lanka and South Africa at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo. After the debacle of the first Test, the visiting team will be looking to put some skill in their performance. Their batsmen especially need to get into the game and show some resistance coming into the game. The home team, however, did everything right. Their batsmen used the home conditions to put up runs on the board, played both the spin and fast bow |
| The Lankan bowling was equally handy as well. They ran through the Protea batsmen twice and managed to keep the combined total under 200, which almost embarrassed them, to say the least. This match should be another test for the visiting team and it won't be a surprise if they stage a comeback given their class and record in the longest format. The action starts in a while in the capital city, hang around! |
| Toss - Sri Lanka win the toss and choose to bat. |
| Pitch Report - Russel Arnold doing the pitch report says it's a lot warmer here. Goes on to say that over the last couple of years, the surface has taken a lot of spin. Adds it's very dry, bare and has a lot of rough areas and also has a bit more pace and bounce compared to Galle. Continues saying there will be a lot of spin, so it will be a trial by spin again. Reckons the team winning the toss will bat first and they should put up a score around 270-300 and let the wicket do the rest. |
| Suranga Lakmal says the wicket looks good and it's a good batting track, hence the decision. Informs there is one change as Akila Dananjaya comes in for Lakshan Sandakan. Reckons the cricket they played in Galle was their best and they would like to put in a similar performance this time out too. |
| Faf du Plessis says they have worked on a few plans and they would try to implement them in this game. Mentions there are two changes - Theunis de Bruyn is in and there are three fast bowlers (The other change is Lungi Ngidi). States that on this wicket Sri Lanka will be more comfortable facing a second spin bowler, so wants to inject pace. Feels Test cricket takes a lot of application, unlike any other format, so they want to trust their defense more and get better results this time. |
| We are ready to begin. Danushka Gunathilaka and Dimuth Karunaratne will open the innings for Sri Lanka. Dale Steyn to kick things off with the new ball on this hot Colombo morning. Three slips and a gully in place for him. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Steyn starts with a length ball outside off, left alone by Gunathilaka. |
| 0.2 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Similar channel from the fast bowler. Ignored by the batsman again. |
| 0.3 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Coming on to the off stump this time, Gunathilaka happy to defend from his crease. |
| 0.4 : D Steyn to D Gunathilaka, Nice push. A length ball on off, Gunathilaka comes on the front foot and punches it. The ball evades the short mid off fielder and runs towards the fence. Three runs result. |
| 0.5 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Karunaratne chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 0.6 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Defended off the front foot again. Nice first over for both the teams. |
| Kagiso Rabada to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Rabada starts the proceedings with a back of a length ball around off, Gunathilaka cuts it to point. |
| 1.2 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, The batsman tries flicking a ball that is down the leg side. |
| 1.3 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Angled across Gunathilaka by Rabada who lets it be. |
| 1.4 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, A touch fuller on off this time, Danushka comes forward and pushes at it with a straight bat. The ball races to the long off but Maharaj cuts it down to three. |
| 1.5 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 1.6 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Fullish around off, pushed to mid on. Similar overs from the opening bowling pair for South Africa. |
| 2.1 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Bouncer! Gunathilaka ducks in time to let that one go over him. |
| 2.2 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, FOUR! Uppish but nicely timed. Gunathilaka gets his first boundary of the match with a beautiful cover drive. Steyn dishes this one on a fuller length outside and gives the batsman a chance to free his arms. A boundary results. |
| 2.3 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Around off, blocked. |
| 2.4 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, A back of a length ball on middle and off, kept out off the back foot. |
| 2.5 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, On middle and leg this time, pushed to the on side off the back foot by Danushka. |
| 2.6 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, On a length outside off, Gunathilaka presents an angled bat and as a result the ball takes the outer half of the bat. It goes through backward point and Bavumba hares after it to keep the batsmen under two. |
| 3.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 3.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, FOUR! Short and punished. Karunaratne is into the act now. It seems the Protea bowlers are looking attack with the short bowling. However, the batsman was up to it this time. A boundary through square leg. |
| 3.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Five Wides! Too short this time and evades jumping de Kock as well. The ball goes to the fence behind the keeper and the umpire signals wide as well. |
| K Rabada to Karunaratne, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 3.4 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Half tracker once again, Karunaratne misses the pull and gets hit in the rib cage. |
| 3.5 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Testing stuff from Rabada. Had there been a short leg in place, Karunaratne would've been walking back to the pavilion. Rabada bangs it in and makes him hop who gets a glove on it. The ball lobs in the air and falls in a safe area on the on side. |
| 3.6 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 4.1 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, On the pads, clipped to square leg for a run. |
| 4.2 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Similar delivery, it falls just short of Maharaj at short square leg. A wicket is around the corner it feels. |
| 4.3 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Around off and another edge that falls shot. Karunaratne pushes at it and it takes the edge off the blade. The ball falls shot of the second slip fielder. |
| 4.4 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, And he finds the gap this time. On the pads again, Karunaratne clips it through mid-wicket region for three runs. |
| 4.5 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, On off, pushed to covers. |
| 4.6 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Tucked to mid-wicket to end an interesting over. |
| 5.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Around off, kept out off the front foot. |
| 5.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 5.3 : K Rabada to D Karunaratne, Fuller on middle and off, punched down the ground. |
| 5.4 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Bouncer! Karunaratne does well to evade it. |
| 5.5 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, And a full ball to follow up the short ball. Driven to mid on for nothing. |
| 5.6 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, FOUR! Not the right line this time. Karunaratne clips it through mid-wicket nicely and finds the fence. A decent start for opening pair and Sri Lanka. |
| Lungi Ngidi is into the attack. |
| 6.1 : L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, Full ball on off, defended down the track. |
| 6.2 : L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, In line of the stumps from Ngidi, pushed through mid-wicket by Danushka. One run taken. |
| 6.3 : L Ngidi to D Karunaratne, Around the wicket outside off, takes the edge off Karunaratne's blade but just like the previous time, it falls short of the slip fielder. |
| 6.4 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 6.5 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, Is this out? It looks out from the naked eye but no says the umpire. A length ball coming into Karunaratne who misses the leg side flick. The ball raps him on his pad but perhaps the angle would have taken it down the leg side. No review taken by Faf. |
| 6.6 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, A play and a miss. Nice testing channel from Ngidi keeping the batsman in check. A length ball outside off and entices Karunaratne to go after the widish delivery who does exactly that but misses. A promising over this from the third South Arican pacer. |
| 7.1 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Gunathilaka has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 7.2 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Fullish on off, pushed down the ground by Gunathilaka. |
| 7.3 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Similar delivery and driven to mid on for nothing. |
| 7.4 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, On middle and off, flicked through square leg for a single. |
| 7.5 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Wow! Zippy. Perfectly aimed bouncer by Kagiso. Gunathilaka does well to actually evade that by swaying away from the line. |
| 7.6 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Gunathilaka shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 8.1 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, On off, blocked off from the crease by the batsman. |
| 8.2 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, Fullish around off, kept out with a straight bat. |
| 8.3 : L Ngidi to D Karunaratne, Another fullish ball outside off, Karunaratne pushes it to mid off. No run taken. |
| 8.4 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, Easy pickings this. A back of a length ball on the hips, clipped to square leg for a single. |
| 8.5 : L Ngidi to D Gunathilaka, Outside off, driven by Gunathilaka through mid off for a run. |
| 8.6 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, Outside off, blocked. |
| 9.1 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, This one didn't bounce as much. Another short ball from Kagiso, he angles it across the batsman. Gunathilaka gets his body and bat away from the line and lets it be. |
| 9.2 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, On the hips, on a back of a length, Danushka manages to keep it away from the short leg fielder. |
| 9.3 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 9.4 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Outside off, left alone. |
| We are going upstairs for an LBW decison. Faf takes the review. Gunathilaka is the man in question. He looks out. Or is he? Let's wait and see! |
| 9.5 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Oh my word! A faintest of spikes on the Snicko saves him. It looked plumb had it not been for confusion there. So what happened is, Rabada bowled a full ball on leg, Gunathilaka misses to play it as it sneaks under the bat to hit the pad. Rabada was convinced that it is going to hit the stumps but the umpire isn't. The skipper, Du Plessis takes the review straightaway. The replays roll in. The ball goes off the bottom edge of the blade while taking its further journ |
| 9.6 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, Defended off the front foot by Karunaratne presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 10.1 : L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, Around off, pushed off the front foot. |
| 10.2 : L Ngidi to D Gunathilaka, FOUR! Edge but safe. A length ball around off, Gunathilaka pokes at it from the foot. The ball takes a thick outside edge and runs through the gap between slip cordon and gully. |
| L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, Full outside off, driven to covers. |
| 10.3 : L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, Wide! An attempted bouncer which was well over head height. The Umpire signals a wide. |
| L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, Was there an inside edge? It didn't sound like it but perhaps there was because the Proteas didn't really appeal. A length ball in line of the stumps, Danushka fails to defend the ball as it hits him on his pads. |
| 10.4 : L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, FOUR! Confidence oozing in this shot. A lofted cover drive over the infield and into the fence. |
| 10.5 : L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, In the air... and safe again! How lucky both the left-handers have been this morning. None of the catching are finding the hands of the fielder. Another one which goes off the edge off the bat and lobs towards point fielder but falls just short of Bavumba there. |
| 10.6 : L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| Dale Steyn is back on. |
| 11.1 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, On the pads, worked to the on side for nothing. |
| 11.2 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, A touch short, blocked off the back foot by Karunaratne. |
| 11.3 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Driven aerially to mid on for nothing. |
| 11.4 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, FOUR! Effortless this from Karunaratne. A back of a length ball from Steyn, the batsman just punches it nonchalantly off his back foot and through the cover-point region. A boundary results. |
| 11.5 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Ooh! Karunaratne fails to connect to the short ball as it hits him on his chest. These blows can be painful. |
| 11.6 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Around off, blocked off the back foot for nothing. |
| 12.1 : L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, Around off, pushed down the track with a full face of the bat. |
| 12.2 : L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, Another half chance goes abegging. A back of a length ball on the pads, Gunathilaka flicks it to square leg and sets off for a run. Maharaj scampers to his left and has a shy at the striker's end. He misses and a run results. He would have been gone had he hit the stumps. 50-run stand comes up between the duo. |
| 12.3 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, Hangs back and keeps it out off the front foot. |
| 12.4 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, Close to the off pole but easily left alone. |
| 12.5 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 12.6 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, On middle and leg, worked to the on side by Karunaratne. |
| Drinks! Sri Lankan batsmen have tackled the first hour of the play successful. There were few half chances but they survived. The visitors shouldn't be too disappointed either as they were in with a chance almost every other over. |
| Change of end for Dale Steyn. |
| 13.1 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Comes from 'round the wicket and Gunathilaka pushes it to the on side for nothing. |
| 13.2 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 13.3 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, FOUR! Nicely flicked. Steyn errs in line and Gunathilaka makes his pay. A back of a length ball outside leg and on the pads, the batsman gets bat on ball and gets it fine to the fence. A boundary results. |
| 13.4 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, On off, blocked off the front foot. |
| 13.5 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Similar delivery from Dale, easily defended by Gunathilaka. |
| 13.6 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Comes over the wicket for the last ball of the over. Gunthilaka leaves the ball outside off for the keeper. |
| Spin time! Keshav Maharaj is into the attack. |
| 14.1 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Starts with a flighted ball outside off, Karunaratne comes down the track and drives it through long on for a single. |
| 14.2 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Similar ball and similar shot from Gunathilaka this time. Another run. |
| 14.3 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Flatter outside off, kept out off the front foot. |
| 14.4 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, The batsman charges down the wicket. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 14.5 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, A tad shorter and it spins down the leg side, Karunratne flicks it to fine leg. |
| 14.6 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Tossed up delivery turned into a full toss. Danushka sweeps it through mid-wicket for a run. Not the start Maharaj would have hoped for. |
| 15.1 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Angled across, Danushka blocks it off the front foot. |
| 15.2 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Angled across Gunathilaka who lets it be. |
| 15.3 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Fuller ball in line of the stumps, punched down the ground by Gunathilaka for nothing. |
| 15.4 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 15.5 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, On the pads this time, flicked off the back foot by Gunathilaka. The goes through square leg and a brace results. |
| 15.6 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, On a length on middle, pushed towards Steyn who gets his hand on it and stops it. |
| 16.1 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Faster and flatter outside off, Karunaratne waits for the ball to spin in and works it to the on side. |
| 16.2 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Tossed up on off, Karunaratne comes down the track and works it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 16.3 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Shortish, punched off the back foot by Gunathilaka. One run results. |
| 16.4 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Shortish on middle and off, Karunaratne flicks to the on side for another easy run. |
| 16.5 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 16.6 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Another short ball outside off, it spins in after pitching and Danushka gets it to on side. |
| 17.1 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, On off, flicked through mid-wicket by Karunaratne. Three runs result. |
| 17.2 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, In line of the stumps, pushed towards the bowler off the back foot. |
| 17.3 : D Steyn to D Gunathilaka, On the pads again, worked to the on side for a single. |
| 17.4 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Karunaratne has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 17.5 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Another block off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 17.6 : D Steyn to Karunaratne, Full on off, driven to mid off for nothing. |
| 18.1 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Defends it off the front with a straight bat. |
| 18.2 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Swept through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 18.3 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Lets the shortish ball spin in and gets it to the on side. |
| 18.4 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Similar delivery from Keshav, defended by Karunaratne. |
| 18.5 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Wrists it through the on side by Karunaratne. One run results. |
| 18.6 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, The ball is way wide on the leg side but Gunathilaka still goes after it but misses. |
| Kagiso Rabada is back. |
| 19.1 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, In line of the stumps, defended to the off side. |
| 19.2 : K Rabada to Karunaratne, On a length outside off, kept out to the off side for nothing. |
| 19.3 : K Rabada to D Karunaratne, Similar line and length from Rabada, Karunaratne gets an inside edge and the ball goes to fine leg. One run taken. |
| 19.4 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Outside off, left alone. |
| 19.5 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Kagiso goes around the wicket and bowls a fullish ball. Danushka drives it to covers off the front foot. |
| 19.6 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 20.1 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Karunaratne fetches the flighted ball from outside off and gets it to the square leg region. Two runs taken. |
| 20.2 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Shortish outside off, cut through point off the back foot. |
| 20.3 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Hangs back and keeps it out. |
| 20.4 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Slower though the air this time on a similar line, Gunathilaka blocks it off the front foot. |
| 20.5 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 20.6 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Maharaj changes his angles and goes over the wicket. Gunathilaka works it to the on side for a single. |
| 21.1 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Bumper! Left alone by Danushka. |
| 21.2 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Gets on the front foot and keeps it out. |
| 21.3 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Gunathilaka shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 21.4 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Back of a length ball on off, Gunathilaka hops and keeps it down. |
| 21.5 : K Rabada to D Gunathilaka, Fuller on leg, driven to mid on for nothing. |
| 21.6 : K Rabada to Gunathilaka, A good ball around off, the ball pitches and moves away. Gunathilaka leaves it alone off a length. Good leave from the opener. |
| 22.1 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Stays back and keeps it out off the back foot. |
| 22.2 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Turning in from around off, Dimuth moves inside the line and works it away on the leg side. |
| 22.3 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Another one flicked away on the leg side. No run taken. |
| 22.4 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 22.5 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Brings the wrists into the play and plays another flick shot. |
| 22.6 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Full on middle and off, Karunaratne comes forward to defend but gets it off the leading edge a bit square on the off side. Single taken. |
| Aiden Markram on to bowl. |
| 23.1 : A Markram to Karunaratne, Quicker through the air, on the stumps, Dimuth goes back and pushes it on the off side. |
| 23.2 : A Markram to Karunaratne, Full and slow, on the stumps, Karunaratne is forward to drive as he plays it back to the bowler. |
| 23.3 : A Markram to Karunaratne, Pushed away in front of covers off the back foot. |
| 23.4 : A Markram to Karunaratne, Bit uppish but it's just short. Short and turning away with some bounce, Karunaratne goes back and check his punch. It goes aerially towards the cover fielder but on the bounce. |
| 23.5 : A Markram to D Gunathilaka, Full on off, pushed to covers. Dimuth takes the run on as Maharaj fires the throw. He misses and nobody is backing up. The batsmen steal another run. |
| 23.6 : A Markram to Karunaratne, Beaten! Lovely first over from Markram. Tossed up around off, it spins ever so slightly and beats the outside edge of the bat. |
| 24.1 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Full on the pads, worked away on the leg side. |
| 24.2 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Some flight on this one, Gunathilaka defends it back down the track. |
| 24.3 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Full and loopy outside off, driven wide of mid off for a single. |
| 24.4 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Flicked with the spin through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 24.5 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Some extra bounce on the stumps, defended down in front of short leg. |
| 24.6 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, On the stumps, blocked down in front of him with a straight blade. |
| 25.1 : A Markram to Karunaratne, Landing on a driving length, Dimuth plays it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 25.2 : A Markram to Karunaratne, Seeing the extra bounce, Karunaratne goes back and keeps it out. |
| 25.3 : A Markram to D Karunaratne, Floated up there, Dimuth comes forward and works it just wide of mid on for one. |
| 25.4 : A Markram to Gunathilaka, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 25.5 : A Markram to Karunaratne, A little too full from Markram, ends up bowling a full toss, driven to mid off for a single. |
| 25.6 : A Markram to D Gunathilaka, Another one towards mid off. Another single to end the over. |
| 26.1 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Flighted delivery around off, driven just wide of extra cover for a run. |
| 0.0 : A leg gully in place now. |
| 26.2 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Close. Quicker through the air on middle, Karunaratne brings his bat down to defend but it goes off the inner half on the leg side. |
| 26.3 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Full and straight, blocked. |
| 26.4 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, FOUR! The change in field brings about a different shot, but Karunaratne gets away with it. Tossed up on leg, he goes down and sweeps it fine down the leg side off the inner half. Across the fine leg fence and that's a boundary. |
| 26.5 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 26.6 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Works it away from inside the crease towards square leg for a run. |
| 27.1 : A Markram to Karunaratne, From around the wicket, Markram tosses it up outside off. Dimuth presses forward and pushes it to the covers. Elgar had to cover a lot of ground there, but still the batsmen did not pick up a run. |
| 27.2 : A Markram to Karunaratne, A double in the long off region. Karunaratne hits it in that region and comes back on strike. |
| 27.3 : A Markram to Karunaratne, Just behind a length, on off, guarded out safely. |
| 27.4 : A Markram to Karunaratne, Loopy and fuller in length around off, the batsman has nothing to do with it. |
| 27.5 : A Markram to Karunaratne, Outside off, pushed to the cover area for no run. |
| 27.6 : A Markram to Karunaratne, Drifting in from around off, Karunaratne pushes it off the front foot to covers. That will be LUNCH ON DAY 1! |
| The Sri Lankans will enjoy their lunch as both their openers remain unbeaten at the end of the first session. South Africa have found it hard to make much happen. Winning the toss, the hosts have used the conditions to their advantage and scored 93 runs. There were a few nervy moments, but otherwise Dimuth Karunaratne and Danushka Gunathilaka have done well. The surface isn't doing much to assist the bowlers, the seamers especially, so come the second session, Faf du Plessis will have to mix it |
| ... Day 1, Session 2 ... |
| We are back for the second session. Sri Lanka are in prime position here, so the tourists will need an early wicket to begin things. Karunaratne and Gunathilaka to continue, while Keshav Maharaj will take the ball first up. A slip and a short leg in place. Let's go... |
| 28.1 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Full delivery darted on the pads, Gunathilaka flicks it to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 28.2 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, A bit slower through the air on the pads, the batsman goes back and works it past FSL. |
| 28.3 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Nice flight on this occasion. Full and straight from Maharaj, Danushka comes forward and blocks. |
| 28.4 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Plays with the spin and tucks it just past short leg. Another dot. |
| 28.5 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, FOUR! Poor line, needs to do better there. Maharaj bowls it around leg, Gunathilaka goes back and tickles it fine down the leg side. Beats the keeper and goes across the fence for a boundary. |
| 28.6 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Well down leg again, swept straight to short fine leg. |
| Lungi Ngidi will bowl from the other end. |
| 29.1 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, Short of a good length on off, Karunaratne rises and taps it down in front of short third man. |
| 29.2 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, Hangs back inside the crease to the length ball and blocks it out. |
| 29.3 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, On middle and leg, moves inside the line and works it down towards fine leg for a single. |
| 29.4 : L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, Gunathilaka shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 29.5 : L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, Length delivery on leg, defended. |
| 29.6 : L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, Full and straight from Ngidi, Danushka gets behind the line and blocks. |
| 30.1 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Karunaratne works this full delivery towards mid-wicket and a rare fumble from Faf there allows the batsmen to take the single. |
| 30.2 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Comes forward and pushes it just wide of mid off for one. The 100-run stand is up with that. |
| 30.3 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Uses the depth of the crease and nudges it on the leg side. |
| 30.4 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Flat, touch short and on leg, Karunaratne off the back foot clips this down towards fine leg. Gets two runs for doing so. |
| 30.5 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Landed just behind a driving length, the batsman gets to the pitch and wrists it to mid on. |
| 30.6 : K Maharaj to D Karunaratne, Reaches forward to the loopy delivery and pushes it towards mid on. Single to end the over. |
| 31.1 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, Fifty for Dimuth Karunaratne. His 16th in this format. Good length delivery outside off, Karunaratne punches it square through point and gets three. Lovely knock so far. |
| 31.2 : L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, Maiden Test fifty for Danushka Gunathilaka! He too, like his partner, has played a fine knock so far. He flicks it off his pads on the leg side and takes a single to get to the milestone. |
| 31.3 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, Good length delivery on off, it is blocked. |
| 31.4 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, Dimuth swivels to this short ball and pulls it along the ground down to fine leg for one. |
| 31.5 : L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, Another pull, down to fine leg. One more taken. |
| 31.6 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, Angling in on middle and leg, on a length, worked to square leg with soft hands. |
| 32.1 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Spinning in on leg, Gunathilaka goes and works it just wide of leg gully. Single taken. |
| 32.2 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Maharaj bowls this quicker through the air on the stumps, defended down on the leg side. |
| 32.3 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 32.4 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Punched off the back foot towards mid-wicket, where skipper Faf makes a good, quick stop. |
| 32.5 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Flicks it away on the leg side with the wrists. |
| 32.6 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Tossed up in line of the stumps, Karunaratne brings out the reverse sweep and plays it through point. Not entirely off the middle though, as it popped off the splice and landed safely in the cover-point area. The batsmen want the second, but then decide against it as the throw comes in fast. |
| 33.1 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, Full and fired outside off, comes forward and blocks it in front of cover. |
| 33.2 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, A bit of reverse there for Lungi, Karunaratne uses the angle and works it straight to square leg. |
| 33.3 : L Ngidi to Karunaratne, Full in length and angling in on middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 33.4 : L Ngidi to Gunathilaka, Keeps it on the stumps, blocked down on the leg side. |
| 33.5 : L Ngidi to D Gunathilaka, Comes ahead and drives the full delivery to mid off. |
| 33.6 : Ngidi to D Gunathilaka, FOUR! Edged and away! Short ball on middle and leg, the ball kicks off the deck. Gunathilaka takes the pull on but gets a top edge over the keeper's head. The ball cross the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| 34.1 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Turned with the spin to FSL. |
| 34.2 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Uses the feet to get close to the pitch and mistimes the drive to mid off. |
| 34.3 : K Maharaj to Karunaratne, OUT! Gone! South Africa finally have a wicket! Good stuff from Maharaj, a bit sloppy from Dimuth Karunaratne. Landed on leg, spinning down, the batsman looks to work it fine down the leg side but can only manage a faint edge behind. Quinton de Kock behind the stumps is sharp as a hawk as he moves to his right and collects it in his gloves. Partnership of 116 is broken. Can the Proteas pick up a quick wicket or two more here? |
| Dhananjaya de Silva walks in at no.3. |
| 34.4 : K Maharaj to Silva, Full and straight on the stumps, blocked off the front foot. |
| 34.5 : K Maharaj to Silva, Slower through the air on the stumps, blocked again. |
| 34.6 : K Maharaj to Silva, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. A successful over from Keshav Maharaj, he'll be happy with this one. |
| Dale Steyn is back into the attack. |
| 35.1 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, arms are shouldered to this one. |
| 35.2 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Short of a length on off, blocked by standing tall and with a straight blade. |
| 35.3 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Banged in short, on middle and leg, Danushka ducks and evades quickly. |
| 35.4 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Full delivery on off, a hint of reverse, driven down the ground towards mid off. Dot ball. |
| 35.5 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Length delivery kicking off the surface a touch, blocked down with soft hands on the off side. |
| 35.6 : D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Fraction too straight in line, easily clipped in front of square leg. One run to end the over. |
| 36.1 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Almost a bat-pad. Maharaj is getting some decent purchase off the deck. Behind a driving length, Gunathilaka is down the track to work it on the leg side. Beaten in the flight, the ball takes the gloves, then the pad and falls short of FSL. |
| 36.2 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, Goes back and works it down in front of short leg. |
| 36.3 : K Maharaj to Gunathilaka, OUT! Kagiso Rabada, take a bow, my good man! What an absolute beauty! The wicket truly belongs to fielder and not the bowler on this occasion. Maharaj tosses it up, Gunathilaka kneels down and brings out the sweep shot. Gets a top edge and the ball flies to deep mid-wicket. Rabada out in the deep covers a lot of ground to his left and dives forward to take a stunning catch. Both the openers are back in the hut now. Perfect chance for South Africa as two new batsme |
| Kusal Mendis to bat next. |
| 36.4 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Fuller in length, blocked by Mendis. |
| 36.5 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Spinning away from around off, pushed towards point. No run taken. |
| 36.6 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Teasing stuff from Keshav Maharaj. He flights it up around off, Mendis is down to sweep but the ball goes under his bat and towards the keeper. Another wicket-maiden from Maharaj. |
| 37.1 : D Steyn to Silva, Coming back in on a back of a length, de Silva rises on his toes and plays it back down the track. |
| 37.2 : D Steyn to Silva, On a length in line of the stumps, played towards mid on. Straight to the fielder. |
| 37.3 : D Steyn to Silva, Goes a little fuller, swings it back in, de Silva positions himself perfectly behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 37.4 : D Steyn to Silva, Short and outside off, Dhananjaya attempts to drag the pull on the leg side but only manages to get it towards mid-wicket off the inner half. |
| 37.5 : D Steyn to Silva, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 37.6 : D Steyn to Silva, FOUR! Shot! Short of a length with some width offered outside off, de Silva latches onto it in a flash with a superb punch. Gets it in the gap at cover-point and beats the chasing fielder with ease. He's off the mark with that. |
| 38.1 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Tossed up. Drifting in at first and then turning away, Mendis is forward to block but gets beaten. |
| 38.2 : K Maharaj to Mendis, FOUR! A little too full from Maharaj and Mendis puts it away with the sweep. Brings the broom out and places it through square leg for a boundary. |
| 38.3 : K Maharaj to Mendis, FOUR! A little too straight and too full in line, allows Mendis to play the slog sweep through mid-wicket. He earns consecutive boundaries with that. Nicely done. |
| 38.4 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Drifting in on middle and off and then straightening up with the spin, Mendis is forward to defend. |
| 38.5 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Goes back and offers a firm punch straight to point. |
| 38.6 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Another sweep, but this time just a single as it's placed to deep backward square leg. |
| 39.1 : D Steyn to Mendis, Keeps it close to off on a length, punched hard right at the cover fielder. |
| 39.2 : D Steyn to Mendis, Full this time, outside off, blocked to covers again. |
| 39.3 : D Steyn to Mendis, Length delivery on the fourth stump line, Mendis covers the line and lets it be. |
| 39.4 : D Steyn to Mendis, Keeps it nice and tight. Hits the deck hard, around off, doesn't offer Mendis much room. He can only tap it down beside him on the off side. |
| 39.5 : D Steyn to Mendis, Seaming away a touch around off, blocked down in front of point from within the crease. |
| 39.6 : D Steyn to Mendis, A maiden over from the Steyn Gun. Hurls it in the zone of apprehension, Kusal Mendis covers the line and shoulders his arms. |
| 40.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, From around the wicket, spinning away, de Silva goes back and mistimes the punch to short cover. |
| 40.2 : K Maharaj to Silva, FOUR! Too full from Maharaj, de Silva is down on his back knee and sweeps it with good timing through mid-wicket. Boundary results. |
| 40.3 : K Maharaj to Silva, A hint of turn away, on off, defended. |
| 40.4 : K Maharaj to Silva, Dhananjaya plants his front foot forward and blocks it with the full face of the bat. |
| 40.5 : K Maharaj to Silva, Full on the stumps, another block. |
| 40.6 : K Maharaj to Silva, Loud shout for a leg before, but the umpire turns it down! Maharaj was screaming for it. Dhananjaya dances a long way down the track in an attempt to block it. Wears it on the front pad and everyone goes up. Faf thinks of the review, but then decides against it. Wasn't too sure. |
| Kagiso Rabada returns to the attack. |
| 41.1 : K Rabada to Mendis, Good length delivery from Rabada, Mendis blocks. |
| 41.2 : K Rabada to Mendis, Pounded in short, ducked and evaded. |
| 41.3 : K Rabada to Mendis, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 41.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, Shaping back in on middle and leg, worked across the line to square leg for one. |
| 41.5 : K Rabada to Silva, A short-arm pull from Dhananjaya. He swipes it across square on the leg side for a single. |
| 41.6 : K Rabada to Mendis, Back of a length outside off, tapped away on the off side with an open face. |
| Drinks are on the field. South Africa have come back into the game with a couple of wickets courtesy Keshav Maharaj. Both the openers are back, meaning two new batsmen are in the middle. This next hour should be interesting. |
| 42.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, Short and wide outside off, de Silva hops back and cuts it to the man at cover-point. |
| 42.2 : K Maharaj to Silva, Loopy ball on leg, well blocked by de Silva |
| 42.3 : Maharaj to Silva, Stifled appeal but going down leg. Slower ball on leg, it spins in and beats the defense of de Silva. Nothing from the umpire. |
| 42.4 : K Maharaj to Silva, Tossed up ball on leg, flicked away to short mid-wicket. |
| 42.5 : K Maharaj to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 42.6 : K Maharaj to Silva, Flighted ball on the leg stump, driven back to the bowler. |
| 43.1 : K Rabada to Mendis, Back of a length ball outside off, Mendis stays back and bunts it down. |
| 43.2 : K Rabada to de Silva, Drives this towards mid off and hares to complete the run. The fielder has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. |
| 43.3 : K Rabada to Silva, This one keeps a little low. Length ball in line of the stumps, de Silva gets behind the ball and sees it off. |
| 43.4 : K Rabada to Silva, The batsman picked that bouncer early and let it through to the keeper. |
| 43.5 : K Rabada to Silva, A short delivery which has been pulled away to deep square leg. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 43.6 : K Rabada to Mendis, Length ball around off, it swings away from Mendis. He looks to play at it but gets beaten. |
| 44.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, Quicker ball outside off, de Silva comes way down the track and blocks it with his pads. |
| 44.2 : K Maharaj to Silva, Fuller one on middle and leg, hits to mid on. |
| 44.3 : K Maharaj to Silva, Darts this once again on the similar line, given back to the bowler. |
| 44.4 : K Maharaj to Silva, Bowls this slower on the fourth stump channel, de Silva taps it in front of him. |
| 44.5 : K Maharaj to Silva, Quicker this time on off, well bowled back de Silva. |
| 44.6 : K Maharaj to Silva, De Silva has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 45.1 : K Rabada to Mendis, Digged in short around off, Mendis jumps and hits it back towards the bowler. |
| 45.2 : K Rabada to Mendis, Works this around the corner for a run. |
| 45.3 : K Rabada to Silva, Bangs this one short again. De Silva sways away it time. |
| 45.4 : K Rabada to Silva, Lands this on a good length on middle and leg, Silva shows his bat sticker and defends it. |
| 45.5 : K Rabada to Silva, Goes short again, De Silva ducks under it in time. De kock completes the formalities. |
| 45.6 : K Rabada to Silva, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 46.1 : Maharaj to Mendis, FOUR! Maharaj gives this air on middle, de Silva charges down the track and smacks it over the bowler's head for a boundary. |
| 46.2 : K Maharaj to Mendis, Sweeps this in front of square for a single. |
| 46.3 : K Maharaj to Silva, Gets behind the ball and blocks it well. |
| 46.4 : K Maharaj to Silva, Takes a step forward and blocks it with ease. |
| 46.5 : K Maharaj to Silva, Tossed up ball on middle, Silva leans forward and defends it. |
| 46.6 : K Maharaj to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 47.1 : K Rabada to Mendis, The ball is down the leg side but Mendis still goes after it. Fails to make any contact. |
| 47.2 : K Rabada to Mendis, Short ball on outside off, ducked away by Kusal. |
| 47.3 : K Rabada to Mendis, Mendis stays in his crease and bunts this back of a length ball. |
| 47.4 : K Rabada to Mendis, Pitches this one up around off, De Silva doesn't time his drive well. The ball rolls towards mid off. |
| 47.5 : K Rabada to K Mendis, Another fuller ball outside off. This time a more confident drive to the mid off fielder. |
| 47.6 : K Rabada to Mendis, FOUR! Ends the over with a boundary. Fullish ball by Rabada outside off. Mendis opens the bat face and guides it towards third man for a boundary. |
| 48.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, FOUR! Short and wide and duly punished by de Silva. Stays in his crease and cuts it to the deep cover-point region for a boundary. 150 comes up for Sri Lanka. |
| 48.2 : K Maharaj to Silva, Nudges this towards the square leg umpire for a run. |
| 48.3 : K Maharaj to Mendis, OUT! Maharaj gets his third and Sri Lanka lose another wicket. These two were playing the sweep very well and now they fall to it. Loopy ball on middle and leg, Mendis gets low and goes for another swipe. He gets a top edge to it and the ball balloons towards mid-wicket. Rabada gets under the ball and takes it comfortably. Sri Lanka have lost three wickets post lunch for 60 runs. Angelo Matthews is the new man in. |
| 48.4 : K Maharaj to Silva, Slower ball on leg, defended by de Silva. |
| 48.5 : K Maharaj to Silva, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 48.6 : K Maharaj to Silva, Flighted ball outside off, well left by de Silva. |
| 49.1 : L Ngidi to Mathews, Outside off on a good length, Mathews leaves it alone. |
| 49.2 : L Ngidi to Mathews, Just back of a length, closer to off this time, a mistimed punch from Mathews to the left of the bowler. |
| 49.3 : L Ngidi to Mathews, Full and angling back in, wristed away to short mid-wicket. |
| 49.4 : L Ngidi to Mathews, On a length, aiming the top of off stump, pushed back down the track from within the crease. |
| 49.5 : L Ngidi to Mathews, Full in length, outside off, a straight bat in brought down in defense. |
| 49.6 : L Ngidi to Mathews, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 50.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, Flatter ball on middle and leg, Flat-batted towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 50.2 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Tossed up ball on middle, Mathews gets behind the ball and blocks it. |
| 50.3 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Similar ball and Mathews sees it off. |
| 50.4 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Quicker one on leg, Mathews goes on his back foot and turns his bat to the leg side. |
| 50.5 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Maharaj gives this air around off, Mathews leans forward and defends it. |
| 50.6 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Maharaj forces Mathews to go on the back foot once again to defend it. Good over from Keshav. |
| 51.1 : L Ngidi to Silva, Length ball outside off, de Silva taps it in front of him to the off side. |
| 0.0 : Ngidi just pulls out at the last moment before releasing the ball. Looks like his foot got stuck in an uneven surface on his run-up. The groundsmen are doing their work. |
| 51.2 : L Ngidi to de Silva, Wide! Too high and the umpire outstretches his arms. Nigidi looks to dig this one short but bends his back way too much. De Silva does not offer a shot and de Kock collects the ball. |
| L Ngidi to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 51.3 : L Ngidi to Silva, Hops a tad and whips this away towards deep square leg to get to the other end. |
| 51.4 : L Ngidi to Mathews, Fuller ball on the fourth stump channel, superbly driven to covers. |
| 51.5 : L Ngidi to Mathews, Angles this into Mathews in search of reverse swing. Mathews gives room and flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace. Gets off the mark. |
| 51.6 : L Ngidi to Mathews, Length ball outside off, gets it off the inner half back to the bowler. |
| 52.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, Slower ball outside off, guided towards backward point for a run. |
| 52.2 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Loopy ball on middle and leg, Mathews gets behind the ball and bunts it down. |
| 52.3 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Gives this one air too, around off, Mathews leans ahead and blocks it. |
| 52.4 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Off break on off, this time Angelo goes back to defend it. |
| 52.5 : K Maharaj to Mathews, FOUR! Drags his length back, Mathews rocks back and slaps it through cover-point for an easy boundary. He now needs two more runs to get to 5000 Test runs. |
| 52.6 : K Maharaj to Mathews, Bowls this slow on middle and leg, Mathews is solid in defense. |
| Probably, the last over before Tea. |
| 53.1 : L Ngidi to Silva, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 53.2 : L Ngidi to A Mathews, Punches this towards mid off and quickly gets to the other end. Faf has a shy but cannot hit the target. |
| 53.3 : L Ngidi to Mathews, FOUR! There it is, 5000 Test runs for Angelo Mathews. Cuts this back of a length ball through cover-point. No fielder there and the ball gets to the fence. |
| 53.4 : L Ngidi to Mathews, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 53.5 : L Ngidi to Mathews, Length ball outside off, play and a miss from Mathews. |
| 53.6 : L Ngidi to Mathews, Mathews chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. TEA ON DAY 1! |
| Once again South Africa fight back into the game post the Lunch session. They have picked up three wickets and all have come from one bowler - Keshav Maharaj. He is getting the ball to turn and asking the batsmen questions. The pacers from the other end are trying their best but not getting their rewards. |
| Sri Lanka will be unhappy especially with the loss of Mendis. He was going well but fell to a sweep shot. De Silva is looking confident and his partner, Mathews just got to a milestone. They will hope to bat another session. Join us in a while for the last session of the day. |
| ... Day 1, Session 3 ... |
| We're back for the third and final session of the day. The visitors will be hoping Keshav Maharaj along with other bowlers makes further inroads in this session. For the home team, Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva need to stay out in the middle and bat out the day. Keshav Maharaj to start the proceedings with the ball. Let's go... |
| 54.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, Starts with a flighted ball around off, driven to covers for nothing. |
| 54.2 : K Maharaj to Silva, On the pads, flicked to the on side. One run taken. |
| Roshen Silva is the next batsman in. |
| 54.3 : K Maharaj to Mathews, OUT! Impact straightaway. The man, Keshav Maharaj, produces prodigious spin on this occasion to take his 4th. What a start to the session for the visitors. A flighted ball on middle and off, Mathews plays the line off the front foot but the ball spins a little to much for his comfort. It takes the shoulder of his bat and goes straight into the hands of Du Plessis at first slip. High fives all around for South Africa as Sri Lanka are losing the plot here. |
| 54.4 : K Maharaj to Silva, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Keshav Manahraj got a high five on his face! Aiden Markram wanted to give him a high five but ended up slapping him on the eye. Laughs all around as South Africa celebrates. |
| 54.5 : K Maharaj to Silva, Silva gets on the front foot and blocks it out. |
| 54.6 : K Maharaj to Silva, Drives this one to covers. End of a successful over for Maharaj. |
| 55.1 : D Steyn to Silva, A back of a length ball around off, defended off the back foot. |
| 55.2 : D Steyn to Silva, On a length around off, pushed to mid off by Silva. |
| 55.3 : D Steyn to Silva, On the pads, worked to the on side for nothing. |
| 55.4 : D Steyn to Silva, Silva drives this through the covers. |
| 55.5 : D Steyn to Silva, Around off, punched to the off side. |
| 55.6 : D Steyn to Silva, Gets behind the line of the ball and keeps it out. A maiden to start with. |
| 56.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, FOUR! Soft hands from Silva saves him. A tossed up ball around off, Silva gets his bat in the line but again due to the spin, it takes the outside edge and runs to the right of Faf at first slip. A boundary results. |
| 56.2 : K Maharaj to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 56.3 : K Maharaj to Silva, On the pads, worked to the on side for a run. |
| 56.4 : K Maharaj to Silva, A tad shorter from Maharaj, Silva works it off the back foot. Another run taken. |
| 56.5 : K Maharaj to Silva, Around middle and off, pushed to the leg side for nothing. |
| 56.6 : K Maharaj to R Silva, Floated around off, pushed to point for a run. |
| 57.1 : D Steyn to Silva, Silva gets behind the line of the delivery and keeps it out. |
| 57.2 : D Steyn to Silva, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 57.3 : D Steyn to Silva, Outside off, left alone. |
| 57.4 : D Steyn to Silva, Roshen again leaves the ball outside his off stump. |
| 57.5 : D Steyn to R Silva, FOUR! Streaky but runs. A back of a length ball around off, Silva pokes at it from his crease and the ball goes off the outside edge of the bat. It goes through the slip cordon and gully to the fence. |
| 57.6 : D Steyn to Silva, Wide outside off, cut to point. |
| 58.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, Prodigious spin from fullish length, de Silva lets it be. |
| 58.2 : K Maharaj to Silva, On the pads this time, Dhananjaya flicks it through square leg for a single. |
| 58.3 : K Maharaj to Silva, A flighted ball turned into full toss by Roshen. He flicks it through square leg and a diving effort from the star fielder Rabada saves a couple for his team. |
| 58.4 : K Maharaj to Silva, Defended off the front foot by Roshen presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 58.5 : K Maharaj to Silva, FOUR! Some width on offer for Rohen and he creams the shot through cover-point. Runs coming thick and fast. |
| 58.6 : K Maharaj to Silva, Gets behind the line of this one and defends it. |
| 59.1 : D Steyn to Silva, Nice shot! Back of a length ball outside off, de Silva punches it off his back foot through the cover fielder for a brace. |
| 59.2 : D Steyn to Silva, Length ball on that fourth stump channel, Dhananjaya stands tall and sees it off. |
| 59.3 : D Steyn to de Silva, Fullish length outside the off stump, driven to mid off for nothing. |
| 59.4 : D Steyn to Silva, FOUR! Brave! Steyn bangs it short outside off, de Silva pulls it back of square to deep cow corner. A deserved boundary for Dhananjaya. |
| 59.5 : D Steyn to Silva, Strays this on the pads, de Silva nudges it to the on side for a couple of runs. |
| 59.6 : D Steyn to Silva, Length on the off this time, well blocked by de Silva. |
| 60.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, Sharp turn from from Maharaj. Lands this around off and settles in the hands of de Kock outside off. |
| 60.2 : K Maharaj to Silva, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 60.3 : K Maharaj to Silva, Forces de Silva to go on the back foot and play it to the off side. |
| 60.4 : K Maharaj to Silva, Dhananjaya defends it from within the crease. |
| 60.5 : K Maharaj to Silva, Gets behind the ball and blocks it solidly. |
| 60.6 : K Maharaj to Silva, Takes it on the full and flicks it away to deep square leg. Thinks of the single but both the batsmen deny against it. |
| 61.1 : D Steyn to Silva, Good length ball around off, de Silva hangs back and taps it to the off side. |
| 61.2 : D Steyn to Silva, Angles this into de Silva who works it away to deep square leg. They run the first one hard which enables them to come back for the second. |
| 61.3 : D Steyn to Silva, Uppish but safe. Dale targets the stumps, the ball holds back a bit. De Silva commits and plays it a bit early. Ends up hitting the ball aerially towards mid on. No damage done. |
| 61.4 : D Steyn to Silva, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 61.5 : D Steyn to Silva, Silva tucks this around the corner for one. 200 up for Sri Lanka and they get the deserved applauds from the crowd. |
| 61.6 : D Steyn to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 62.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 62.2 : K Maharaj to Silva, FOUR! Too short and punished. De Silva doesn't miss out on an easy opportunity. He punches it through covers and beats the fielder in the deep. |
| 62.3 : K Maharaj to Silva, FOUR! Clever from De Silva. He comes down the track knowing that Maharaj won't drop short this one. He turns it into a full toss and flicks it through mid-wicket for another boundary. |
| 62.4 : K Maharaj to Silva, Driven to long on for a run. |
| 62.5 : K Maharaj to R Silva, Flatter in line of the stumps, played to mid on for another single. |
| 62.6 : K Maharaj to Silva, Gets behind the line and gets it to the off side for nothing. 10 off this over. |
| Kagiso Rabada is on. |
| 63.1 : K Rabada to Silva, On the pads, played to mid-wicket for nothing. |
| 63.2 : K Rabada to Silva, Fullish on middle and off, played off the front foot. |
| 63.3 : K Rabada to Silva, Full ball on the pads, Silva misses the flick and gets hit on the pads. |
| 63.4 : K Rabada to Silva, Testing short ball from Rabada. He is mixing it up nicely. He makes Roshen hop who does well to get bat on it and keep it down. |
| 63.5 : K Rabada to Silva, Fuller in line of the stumps, played down the ground for a run. |
| 63.6 : K Rabada to Silva, Peach of a delivery this. A gentle length ball outside off, it holds its line and beats the outside edge of the bat on the way to keeper. |
| Dean Elgar is into the attack. |
| 64.1 : D Elgar to Silva, Flatter on the pads, played to the on side for no run. |
| 64.2 : D Elgar to Silva, Gets forward and defends it. |
| 64.3 : D Elgar to Silva, Floated wide outside off, pushed to covers for nothing. |
| 64.4 : D Elgar to Silva, Slower ball spinning away from the face of the blade. Roshen doesn't go after it. |
| 64.5 : D Elgar to Silva, Similar delivery from Elgar. Silva keeps his bat close to his pad to miss it again. |
| 64.6 : D Elgar to Silva, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 65.1 : K Rabada to de Silva, Wide! Too short and over the top. The umpire signals wide. |
| K Rabada to Silva, On a length around off, blocked off the back foot. |
| 65.2 : K Rabada to Silva, Rabada is making the ball talk a bit. A widish ball outside off, De Silva goes after it but misses the line to get beaten. |
| 65.3 : K Rabada to Silva, Outside off on a length, tucked to the off side for a run. |
| A short leg in place now. |
| 65.4 : K Rabada to Silva, Another play and a miss. He shouldn't be fiddling with the wide deliveries. He goes after it again only to connect with air. |
| 65.5 : K Rabada to Silva, This time he leaves the ball outside his off stump to the keeper. |
| 65.6 : K Rabada to Silva, Consecutive leaves from De Silva outside his off pole. |
| 66.1 : D Elgar to Silva, Flatter outside off, pushed off the back foot. One run taken. |
| 66.2 : D Elgar to Silva, On the pads this time, worked to the on side for another run. |
| 66.3 : D Elgar to Silva, Slow and flat outside off, Silva pushes it through covers. One run added to the total. |
| 66.4 : D Elgar to Silva, Gets back to this one and punches it through the off side for another run. |
| 66.5 : D Elgar to Silva, This one stayed low and spun as well. Silva plays the line but fails to connect. |
| 66.6 : D Elgar to Silva, A tad shorter around off, punched off the back foot. The batsmen take a single. |
| 67.1 : K Rabada to Silva, Ouch! This is supposed to sting. He looks in some pain. Did he misjudged the line or the bounce wasn't true here? Rabada bangs this one half way but perhaps De Silva didn't expected it to bounce more than it did. As a result, he is late to take any evasive action and gets hit just under his right shoulder on his chest. His helmet is off in a jiffy and he moves away with his hand on the effected area. |
| 0.0 : Goodness me, that must have hurt. Dhananjaya de Silva is on the ground with his hand on his shoulder. The physio is in the field. Meanwhile, the umpires call for the drinks. |
| 67.2 : K Rabada to Silva, On a length around middle and off, pushed to mid-wicket. He looks better after some treatment now. |
| 67.3 : K Rabada to Silva, Gets behind the line and keeps it out to the off side. |
| 67.4 : K Rabada to Silva, On a back of a length around off, pushed to covers for nothing. |
| 67.5 : K Rabada to Silva, Full on off, driven down the ground straight to the fielder. |
| 67.6 : K Rabada to de Silva, Short outside off, De Dilva pulls it down to the attacking short mid-wicket. |
| 68.1 : D Elgar to Silva, Slower and a touch shorter, flicked to mid-wicket for a run. 50-run stand comes up between the two. |
| 68.2 : D Elgar to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 68.3 : D Elgar to Silva, Comes down the track to play it to the on side but couldn't pierce the field. |
| 68.4 : D Elgar to de Silva, Around off, pushed to covers for no run. |
| 68.5 : D Elgar to Silva, Comes down the track and pushes it to mid off. |
| 68.6 : D Elgar to Silva, FOUR! 3rd Test fifty for Dhananjaya de Silva. He gets to the landmark with a nice cut through cover-point. Elgar was generous as he bowled this one short and wide and de Silva makes most of it. |
| 69.1 : K Rabada to R Silva, Yorker! Dug out to the off side. |
| 69.2 : K Rabada to Silva, Another yorker from Kagiso, Roshen digs it out from the bottom of the bat. |
| 69.3 : K Rabada to Silva, On a length around off, blocked off the back foot. |
| 69.4 : K Rabada to Silva, Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it. |
| 69.5 : K Rabada to Silva, Another short ball, Roshen sways away from the line and lets it be. |
| 69.6 : K Rabada to Silva, OUT! Gone! 139.1 kph and aimed at the stumps, fuller in length and it does the trick. Roshen plays all over the ball, it sneaks through his bat-pad, flicks the front pad and rattles the stumps. A fast bowler's delight to hear the sweet sound of furniture getting disturbed. Rabada has been everywhere, in the field, making the ball talk and now taking wicket as well. More than that, he set him up really nicely with the short balls first and then slings a full ball. Convent |
| Niroshan Dickwella makes his way to the middle. Also, Aiden Markram in for another spell. |
| 70.1 : A Markram to Silva, Off spinner a tad short outside off, punched to the off side for one. |
| 70.2 : A Markram to Dickwella, Flat again outside off, Dickwella guides it to the backward point fielder. |
| 70.3 : A Markram to Dickwella, Goes onto his back foot and hits it to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 70.4 : A Markram to Silva, Quicker this time, in line of the stumps, de Silva gets his bat down in time to get bat to it. |
| 70.5 : A Markram to Silva, Darts this on middle and leg. The ball spins and flicks the pads of de Silva. It goes fine towards fine leg for a brace. |
| 70.6 : A Markram to Silva, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| 71.1 : K Rabada to de Silva, Short ball on off, de Silva pulls it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 71.2 : K Rabada to Dickwella, Yorker outside off. Dickwella does well to get bat to it. |
| 71.3 : K Rabada to N Dickwella, Streaky! Dickwella will take it. Another short ball on off, Dickwella goes for the pull but gets an outside edge through the slip cordon. Has enough legs to touch the ropes. |
| 71.4 : K Rabada to Dickwella, Fuller this time on leg, played to mid on. |
| 71.5 : K Rabada to Dickwella, Takes pace off this and serves this around off, Dickwella cuts it to the off side. |
| 71.6 : K Rabada to Dickwella, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 72.1 : K Maharaj to Silva, FOUR! Deft. Quicker one outside off, de Silva waited for it and cut it late through backward point for a boundary. All elegance in that. |
| 72.2 : K Maharaj to Silva, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 72.3 : K Maharaj to Dickwella, Sharp turn. Slides in and takes an inside edge |
| 72.4 : K Maharaj to Dickwella, OUT! Fifer for Keshav Maharaj! His fifth 5-wicket haul in Test and the hosts lose their keeper. Gives this air and lands this on middle and leg. Pitches on the rough patch and takes Dickwella by surprise. He goes for the sweep, the ball hits his glove and balloons over the keeper's head. Faf at slips moves to his right and takes a good catch. Maharaj becomes just the second South African spinner to take a 5-wicket haul on this venue. |
| Dilruwan Perera strides out next. |
| 72.5 : K Maharaj to D Perera, Driven towards the mid off region. |
| 72.6 : K Maharaj to Perera, FOUR! What a way to get off the mark. No fear in using his feet and gets four runs. Charges to this slow ball and lofts it over the bowler's head. |
| 73.1 : L Ngidi to Silva, De Silva has worked it off his pads behind square. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 73.2 : L Ngidi to Perera, Kept low. Fuller ball on off, Perera does well to block it. |
| 73.3 : L Ngidi to Perera, Flicks this ball to the on side for nothing. |
| 73.4 : L Ngidi to Perera, Back of a length ball around off, Perera waits back and punches it through covers. They come back for the second run. |
| 73.5 : L Ngidi to Perera, Outside off, left alone. |
| 73.6 : L Ngidi to Perera, Length ball outside off, Perera cuts it towards point to retain strike. |
| 74.1 : K Maharaj to Perera, Flat ball outside off, enough time for Perera to rock back and cut it to deep backward point. Gets a run for it. |
| 0.0 : An LBW decision has been reviewed. Looks out or was there any inside edge? |
| 74.2 : Maharaj to Silva, OUT! That looked plumbed from the naked eye. Perhaps the umpire thought it took an inside edge. Maharaj serves this in line of the stumps. De Silva prods forward and looks to block it. Gets beaten and is wrapped on his pads. A strong appeal from the players but the umpire denies it. Faf straightaway takes it up. Replays show us three red lights. And that's the end of de Silva. Six wickets for Maharaj. |
| Akila Dhananjaya is the new batsman. |
| 74.3 : K Maharaj to A Dananjaya, FOUR! First ball and he drives Maharaj. Overpitched ball outside off, Akila leans ahead and drives it in the gaps through covers. Boundary. 250 up for Sri Lanka. |
| 74.4 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 74.5 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 74.6 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Gets behind the ball and is solid in his defense. |
| 75.1 : L Ngidi to Perera, Outside off, played to point. |
| 75.2 : L Ngidi to Perera, Great ball. Yorks Perera, who does well to jam it out. |
| 75.3 : L Ngidi to Perera, Length around off, played back to the bowler. |
| 75.4 : L Ngidi to Perera, In the air.. just short. Short and wide from Ngidi. Perera square cuts and the ball falls just short of the backward point fielder. |
| 75.5 : L Ngidi to Perera, Gets it through that region this time. Cut away by Perera for two more runs. |
| 75.6 : L Ngidi to Perera, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 76.1 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Comes in from over the wicket and lands this on middle and leg. Akila blocks it well. |
| 76.2 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, FOUR! A big shot was on the coming and Akila does just that. Charges to this tossed up ball and deposits just short of the ropes. Boundary. |
| 76.3 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 76.4 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Defended off the front foot by Akila presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 76.5 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Tossed up ball on off, well blocked. |
| 76.6 : K Maharaj to A Dananjaya, Akila drives this through the covers. |
| 77.1 : L Ngidi to Perera, FOUR! Length ball outside off, Perera guides this past the backward point fielder. The ball races to the boundary. The umpire signals four runs. |
| 77.2 : L Ngidi to Perera, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 77.3 : L Ngidi to Perera, Short ball outside off, deliberately lofted over the slip region by Perera. It falls safe and the batsmen will get three runs for it. |
| 77.4 : L Ngidi to Dananjaya, Length on off, blocked. |
| 77.5 : L Ngidi to Dananjaya, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 77.6 : L Ngidi to Dananjaya, Punches this ball towards covers. Dot ball. |
| 78.1 : K Maharaj to Perera, Loopy ball on off, driven to covers. |
| 78.2 : K Maharaj to Perera, Turns his bat to the leg side for nothing. |
| 78.3 : K Maharaj to Perera, Sharp turn pitched on middle, Perera goes for the cut but cannot make any contact. |
| 78.4 : K Maharaj to Perera, Leans ahead and drives this ball to the off side. |
| 78.5 : K Maharaj to Perera, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 78.6 : K Maharaj to Perera, Perera has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Aiden Markram in for another spell. Meanwhile, the new ball is dew after this over. |
| 79.1 : A Markram to Dananjaya, Off breaker on off, cut towards point. |
| 79.2 : A Markram to Dananjaya, Stays back and plays this ball to the off side. |
| 79.3 : A Markram to Dananjaya, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 79.4 : A Markram to Dananjaya, Quicker one around off, pushed to the cover region. |
| 79.5 : A Markram to Dananjaya, Outside off, taps it in front of him. |
| 79.6 : A Markram to Dananjaya, Loopy ball outside off, well blocked. |
| 80.1 : K Maharaj to Perera, OUT! Maharaj strikes first ball to pick up his 7th wicket. What a day he is having. Bowls this full on leg, Perera goes for the swipe shot and connect it well. Unfortunately for him, he finds Ngidi at backward square leg. |
| 0.0 : Suranga Lakmal, the skipper walks out to bat. |
| 80.2 : K Maharaj to Lakmal, Slower ball on off, Lakmal gets forward and blocks it. |
| 80.3 : K Maharaj to Lakmal, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 80.4 : K Maharaj to Lakmal, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 80.5 : K Maharaj to Lakmal, What a catch! Superman stuff. Markram has a lovely pair of hands and he holds onto this to add to his CV. Flighted ball around off, Lakmal drives it uppishly towards mid off. Markram at silly mid off flies to his left and takes a one-handed stunner. Lakmal is stunt. And that's the best figures for a visiting spinner on this ground. |
| Rangana Herath is the last man to bat. |
| 80.6 : K Maharaj to Herath, Herath defends it from within the crease. |
| 81.1 : A Markram to Dananjaya, Flat ball on off, tapped to the off side. |
| 81.2 : A Markram to Dananjaya, Pushes this ball to the off side to give veteran the strike. |
| 81.3 : A Markram to Herath, Flighted ball on off, Herath gets bat to ball. |
| 81.4 : A Markram to Herath, Length ball around off, Herath goes for the cut but misses. |
| 81.5 : A Markram to R Herath, Cuts this through cover-point for a run. |
| 81.6 : A Markram to Dananjaya, Waits back and punches this ball to the mid off region to keep strike. |
| 82.1 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Akila not holding back. Comes down the track and looks to clear the ground. Finds the fielder on the bounce at cow corner. One run taken. |
| 82.2 : K Maharaj to Herath, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 82.3 : K Maharaj to Herath, Sweeps this towards square leg and jogs to the other end. |
| 82.4 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Darts this on middle and off, Dananjaya blocks it off his back foot. |
| 82.5 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Slower ball on middle, Akila throws the kitchen sink at it but cannot connect. Gets hit on his back pad as the ball rolls to the off side. |
| 82.6 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Dananjaya shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 83.1 : A Markram to Herath, Herath punches this ball to the off side. Picks up an easy run. |
| 83.2 : A Markram to Dananjaya, Around off, well blocked. |
| 83.3 : A Markram to Dananjaya, Akila rocks back and punches this through covers. Another run added. |
| 83.4 : A Markram to Herath, Rangana has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails. |
| 83.5 : A Markram to Herath, Pushed to the cover region by Herath. They pick up a single. |
| 83.6 : A Markram to Dananjaya, Outside off, play and miss from Akila. |
| New ball taken! Keshav Maharaj will continue to bowl! |
| 84.1 : K Maharaj to Herath, Sharp turn down leg, Herath tries flicking the ball but misses. |
| 84.2 : K Maharaj to Herath, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 84.3 : K Maharaj to Herath, Works this around the corner for a single. Useful runs these for the hosts. |
| 84.4 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Dananjaya pushes this ball to covers. |
| 84.5 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, FOUR! Sri Lanka inch closer to the 300 mark. Slower ball down leg, Dananjaya just helps it on it's way. De Kock couldn't collect it and the ball tickles away to the fence. |
| 84.6 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| Dale Steyn is called onto bowl, in what could be the last over of the day. |
| 85.1 : D Steyn to Herath, Back of a length ball outside off, driven to the cover region. |
| 85.2 : D Steyn to Herath, Extra bounce! A length ball outside off, Herath sways away from it seeing the sudden bounce. |
| 85.3 : D Steyn to Herath, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 85.4 : D Steyn to Herath, Gets this off the inner half of the bat towards mid on. |
| 85.5 : D Steyn to Herath, Bouncer! Herath ducks in time to let that one go over him. |
| 85.6 : D Steyn to Herath, Length ball around off, well blocked by Herath. That's STUMPS ON DAY 1. |
| South Africa will be happy with the day's result after the start the home team had. They have one man to thank - Keshav Maharaj. The left-arm orthodox spinner took 8/116, which is the best for any visiting spinner in Sri Lanka and helped restrict Sri Lanka to 277/9. Perhaps now Faf du Plessis will regret the decision of not playing the second spinner. Kagiso Rabada got the other lone wicket, but had there been Tabraiz Shamsi in the playing XI, this would paint another picture. |
| Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka started on a positive note. Their openers stitched a 116-run stand and gave them the upper hand. However, they lost their way post Lunch with a couple of wickets. Dhananjaya de Silva along with Roshen Silva added 54 for the 5th wicket to get them back on track. The former then stroked his way to his 3rd Test fifty, however, there were no real contributions from the lower middle order. Akila Dananjaya is still in the middle with Rangana Herath and the hosts will hope |
| That's all from Day 1. The visitors will look to get the last wicket as soon as possible but they will have to bat really well to get into the game. The pitch is turning prodigiously and Sri Lanka have three quality spinners in their ranks as well. Do join us for all the action from Day 2 at 1000 local (0430 GMT). For now, you can switch tabs to catch the Zimbabwe-Pakistan match. Till then, cheers! |
| ... Day 2, Session 1 ... |
| Hello! Welcome to the second day of the second and final Test match between Sri Lanka and South Africa at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo. Both the teams will be partially happy and partially sad after the action on Day 1 as both of them have an almost equal foothold in the game as of now. The home team has ended the first day on 277 on a pitch which started spitting venom in the very first hour of play. Considering the visitors could only score 199 in both the innings combined in the last Test, |
| Pitch report - Shaun Pollock along with Kepler Wessels is reporting from the pitch and says that there are rough areas on the good length area. Wessels asserts this is a track that will have fast and vicious spin and the ball will turn a lot. They further add that the left-handers will be troubled more by the patches on the middle of the surface and the three Lankan spinners will be really looking forward to bowl against the visiting batsmen. |
| We are set for the action to start. The players are out in the middle. Akila Dananjaya will take the strike and Keshav Maharaj has the newish ball in his hand. Here we go... |
| 86.1 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Starts with a dangerous ball around middle and leg. Gives it air and draws Dananjaya forward who defends it off the inner half of the bat to the on side. |
| 86.2 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Similar delivery from Maharaj, played just away from short leg. |
| 86.3 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Slower on off, it spins in and hits Dananjaya on his pad. |
| 86.4 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 86.5 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Ooh! Just manages to evade the short leg fielder. Maharaj is testing Akila straightaway. |
| 86.6 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Akila survives the first over from Maharaj. He gets forward and blocks it out. |
| Kagiso Rabada to bowl from the other end. |
| 87.1 : K Rabada to Herath, Rabada starts with a back of a length ball around off, Herath gets it away off the back foot and takes a run. First run of the morning for Sri Lanka. |
| 87.2 : K Rabada to Dananjaya, Outside off, Dananjaya misses the cut. |
| 87.3 : K Rabada to Dananjaya, In line of the stumps, blocked off from his crease by Akila. |
| 87.4 : K Rabada to Dananjaya, FOUR! Cheeky from Dananjaya. A short ball from Rabada, Akila plays the ramp shot and gets it up and over the slip cordon. A boundary! |
| 87.5 : K Rabada to Dananjaya, Wide down the leg side, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 87.6 : K Rabada to Dananjaya, Short ball towards the ribs, just goes past Bavuma at short leg. One run results. |
| 88.1 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Comes down the track but misses the ball. |
| 88.2 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Hangs back and defends it down the track. |
| 88.3 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Shortish on leg, played down on the leg side for nothing. |
| 88.4 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 88.5 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Faster this time, Dananjaya looks to poke at it and misses again. |
| 88.6 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Pushed to the on side this time. Dananjaya is playing Maharaj relatively well. |
| 89.1 : K Rabada to Herath, Herath has done well to keep that yorker at bay. |
| 89.2 : K Rabada to Herath, FOUR! Herath slashes at it and earns a boundary. A full ball outside off, he throws his bat at it and manages to get it over backward point. |
| 89.3 : K Rabada to Herath, A wild slog across the line this time from Herath. He misses it. |
| 89.4 : K Rabada to R Herath, So cool this little man. A short of a length ball targeting the rib cage of Herath, he swivels and pulls it to fine leg for a single. Though one hand was off the handle but he still managed to play it well. |
| 89.5 : K Rabada to Dananjaya, Around off, played to the off side. |
| 89.6 : K Rabada to Dananjaya, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 90.1 : K Maharaj to Herath, Flighted around off, played off the front foot by Herath. |
| 90.2 : K Maharaj to Herath, Easy peasy. Experience coming into play here. Herath dabs it to the covers and runs a quick single. |
| 90.3 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 90.4 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Flatter on off, pushed down the track for no run. |
| 90.5 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Comes charging down the track and plays it towards mid-wicket. He is trying different things to play Maharaj it seems. |
| 90.6 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, That ball has struck Dananjaya on the thigh pad. A flighted ball outside off, it spins in and evades the bat of Akila. No harm done in the end. |
| 91.1 : K Rabada to R Herath, Rabada goes around the wicket and bowls a yorker on middle and off, Herath does well to dig it out. |
| 91.2 : K Rabada to Herath, Short and across Herath who does well to leave it for the keeper. |
| 91.3 : K Rabada to Herath, Defended off the back foot by Rangana. This one stayed a touch low but nicely tackled by the veteran. |
| 91.4 : K Rabada to Herath, Well played. Another length ball on off, Herath has a swipe against the line and manages to get it through mid-wicket. A brace results. |
| 91.5 : K Rabada to Herath, Herath closes the face of the bat early and gets a leading edge on that one. No harm done. |
| 91.6 : K Rabada to Herath, Uppish but safe. A length ball on middle and off, Herath pushes at it from his crease and gets it past the bowler. |
| 92.1 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Again comes down the track but only connects with thin air, as he gets hits on the pads again. |
| 92.2 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Flatter on middle and off this time, defended off the front foot. |
| 92.3 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 92.4 : Maharaj to A Dananjaya, FOUR! Edgy but effective. Dananjaya goes for the cut to the ball spinning in from a length. He only manages to get it from the outside half of his bat and the ball races to the third man fence. |
| 92.5 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Works this one to the on side off the back foot. |
| 92.6 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Hangs back and sees out the last ball of the over. Sri Lanka inching closer to the 300-run mark. |
| 93.1 : K Rabada to Herath, Chips the shortish delivery to the on side and changes strike. |
| 93.2 : K Rabada to Dananjaya, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball but fails. |
| 93.3 : K Rabada to Dananjaya, Bouncer! Akila ducks in time to let that one go over him. |
| 93.4 : K Rabada to Dananjaya, Nicely tackled by Akila. A short ball in line of the stumps, Dananjaya hops and keeps it out. |
| 93.5 : K Rabada to Dananjaya, FOUR! 300 it is. Sri Lanka crosses the mark first time in the series and worries for South Africa. A full ball outside off, Dananjya throws his bat at it and gets it off the outer half of the blade through point. |
| 93.6 : K Rabada to Dananjaya, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 94.1 : K Maharaj to Herath, Faster and flatter targeting the sticks, Herath lunges forward and gets an edge but luckily for his, it goes left of Bavuma. He survives again. |
| 94.2 : K Maharaj to Herath, Gets behind the line of this one and defends it. |
| 94.3 : K Maharaj to Herath, Tossed up outside off, Herath goes near the ball and defends it again. |
| 94.4 : K Maharaj to Herath, Outside off, guided to third man for a run by Rangana. |
| 94.5 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 94.6 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Hangs back and dishes it off the front foot. |
| Lungi Ngidi is on. |
| 95.1 : L Ngidi to Herath, Wide down the leg side, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 95.2 : L Ngidi to Herath, Again going across the left-hander and it goes down the leg side. Herath misses it this time. |
| 95.3 : L Ngidi to R Herath, FOUR! He is making the bowler's pay for the average bowling. A length from Ngidi outside off, Herath punches it from his crease and gets it through cover-point for a boundary. |
| 95.4 : L Ngidi to Herath, Flicked aerially through square leg. One run taken. Herath is looking set for a long innings. |
| 95.5 : L Ngidi to Dananjaya, Short in line of the stumps, played off the back foot for nothing. |
| 95.6 : L Ngidi to Dananjaya, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 96.1 : K Maharaj to Herath, Flighted outside off, defended off the front foot. |
| 96.2 : K Maharaj to Herath, Similar delivery from Maharaj. Herath happy to block it. |
| 96.3 : K Maharaj to Herath, A touch faster in the same line, easily tackled by Rangana. |
| 96.4 : K Maharaj to Herath, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 96.5 : K Maharaj to Herath, Maharaj goes over the wicket and bowls a tossed a delivery around middle. Rangana looks to defends it but misses. An appeal ensues but the umpire ignores it. |
| The review for the LBW has been taken by Faf. Rangana Herath is the man in question. He looks out. |
| 96.6 : Maharaj to Herath, He survives! Herath, you lucky, lucky man. Had the ball not kissed the glove on the way to the pads, he would have been a goner. Intelligent from Maharaj, he keeps it in the same channel. Herath looks to play across the line this time but misses. The bowler is confident and he convinces his skipper to take the review who follows his advice. Perhaps not the right decision as the replays shows that the ball kissed the glove and that saved him. South Africa have lost both t |
| 97.1 : L Ngidi to Dananjaya, Ouch! He is down flat on his stomach. Dananjaya connected with the length ball well and it hits him straight on Ngidi's left ankle. It looked as if he got hand to it but not really. He looks in pain while going back to his bowling mark. |
| 97.2 : L Ngidi to Dananjaya, On the pads, flicked to the on side for a run. |
| There seems to be some problem with Lungi Ngidi. He got hit on his left ankle and looks in some pain. The physio is in the middle to check on him. Off he goes, SA not risking their premier fast bowler. Aiden Markram will finish the over for him. |
| 97.3 : A Markram to Herath, Ngidi is off unfortunately. Markran bowls a good flatter delivery on off, Herath gets behind the line and defends it. |
| 97.4 : A Markram to Herath, Reverse sweeps is out. Herath is putting all his arsenal on display here. A flighted ball around off, Herath changes hands and gets it off his gloves behind the keeper. One run taken. |
| 97.5 : A Markram to Dananjaya, A tad shorter, blocked off the back foot by Akila. |
| 97.6 : A Markram to Dananjaya, Again shorter outside off, cut through backward point for a brace. |
| 98.1 : K Maharaj to Herath, FOUR BYES! Tossed up on leg and spinning down, Herath looks to defend but it goes past the edge and fine down the leg side past the keeper. It runs away to the fence for a boundary. |
| 98.2 : K Maharaj to Herath, Floated around off, this one doesn't turn, Herath is forward is defense and gets beaten past the outside edge. |
| 98.3 : K Maharaj to Herath, Bit fullish in length and on the stumps, blocked from within the crease. |
| 98.4 : K Maharaj to Herath, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 98.5 : K Maharaj to Herath, Positions himself perfectly behind the line and blocks. |
| 98.6 : K Maharaj to Herath, Loopy in line of the stumps, turning into the batsman, Herath goes deep inside the crease before working it away on the leg side. |
| 99.1 : A Markram to Dananjaya, Slow on off, cut to covers. |
| 99.2 : A Markram to Dananjaya, Fuller on off, lofted over Rabada at long off by Herath. He manages to save a run for his team. |
| 99.3 : A Markram to Dananjaya, The batsman has driven that ball straight back. |
| 99.4 : A Markram to Dananjaya, Full toss on leg, swept through the on side. One run taken. |
| 99.5 : A Markram to R Herath, A touch short around off, played through point for a run. |
| 99.6 : A Markram to Dananjaya, Square cut the length ball to end the over. |
| 100.1 : K Maharaj to Herath, Gets behind the line to this one and keeps it out. |
| 100.2 : K Maharaj to Herath, Flatter in line of the stumps, played to the on side. |
| 100.3 : K Maharaj to Herath, Action replay from the bowler and the batsman. |
| 100.4 : K Maharaj to Herath, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 100.5 : K Maharaj to Herath, Fuller on off, pushed to covers for a quick single. |
| 100.6 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, A length ball outside off, driven through covers by Akila. They take two from the deep. |
| 101.1 : D Steyn to Herath, FOUR! Slapped! Welcome the crease Mr. Steyn. Herath is in no mood get bullied. He pulls across the length ball and gets it in the gap through mid-wicket. A boundary results. |
| 101.2 : D Steyn to Herath, Another short ball, pulled through square leg this time. One run takne. |
| 101.3 : D Steyn to A Dananjaya, And short again from Dale. Akila pulls it through mid-wicket for another single. It's all too easy for the Lankans now. |
| 101.4 : D Steyn to Herath, FOUR! BANG! Highest 10th wicket stand against South Africa for Sri Lanka. Herath or Sangakkara? It hard to differentiate right now. He is playing Steyn like a top-order batsmen and thrashing him everywhere. A length ball lofted of mid on and deposited into the boundary. |
| 101.5 : D Steyn to Herath, Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment. |
| 101.6 : D Steyn to Herath, Bumper once again. Herath ignores it for the keeper. |
| 102.1 : K Maharaj to A Dananjaya, FOUR! Short and turning in from outside off, Dananjaya rocks onto his back foot in a flash and cuts it behind point fiercely. No stopping that, a boundary results. |
| 102.2 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, From around the wicket now, it's looped up on the stumps, Akila is forward in defense. |
| 102.3 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Spinning on off stump, another solid front foot defense in response. |
| 102.4 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Drags his length back just a bit, this time the batsman stays inside the crease and defends. |
| 102.5 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Offers a straight bat in defense to this straighter one. |
| 102.6 : K Maharaj to Dananjaya, Back to over the wicket and it's bowled full outside off, Dananjaya prods forward and solidly keeps it out. |
| Drinks break. |
| 103.1 : D Steyn to Herath, Short of a length delivery on off, Herath rises on his toes and dabs it behind point for a single. |
| 103.2 : D Steyn to Dananjaya, Length delivery attacking the stumps, Akila close the bat face slightly and blocks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 103.3 : D Steyn to Dananjaya, Short ball which doesn't rise as much, Dananjaya swivels to pull but gets it off the glove through square leg for one. |
| 103.4 : D Steyn to Herath, Another pull on the leg side. One more to the total. |
| 103.5 : D Steyn to Dananjaya, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 103.6 : D Steyn to Dananjaya, Short ball banged in, ducked and evaded. |
| Review taken. Rangana Herath has been caught at leg slip and given out, but the review has been taken, probably because it's the last wicket and it's not going to harm anyone. |
| 104.1 : K Maharaj to Herath, OUT! The decision stands! Keshav Maharaj finishes with career-best figures in Test cricket. Tossed up on leg, Herath is down to sweep but gets it off the glove, then the pad and it pops up behind to Elgar at leg slip who takes a regulation catch. The finger goes up, but the batsman reviews it. The TV umpire comes into the pitcure and replays show Herath is gone. So, SRI LANKA ARE BOWLED OUT FOR 338! |
| So, finally, South Africa managed to take the final wicket of the Lankan innings, but it's probably come a little too late. They allowed the last pair to add 74 runs together, thereby allowing Sri Lanka to get close to 340, a score which is gargantuan on this turning surface. It was expected that the tourists would clean things up rather early this morning, but Rangana Herath and Akila Dananjaya played some attacking cricket and put their side in a strong position. |
| On Day 1, Sri Lanka started the day well with a good opening stand, but then had their momentum halted by Keshav Maharaj in the afternoon session, only to be revived again by Dhananjaya de Silva and Roshen Silva. Though, Maharaj had his say again and took 8 wickets in total at the end of the day, toppling the Lankan batsmen with ease. He scalped the last wicket today as well. |
| Taking into account the way the wicket is playing, plus the fact that the hosts have three quality spinners in their ranks, the Proteas have a difficult task ahead of them, to say the least. Their decision to not bowl Sri Lanka towards the end of Day 1 to avoid batting in those last few minutes could seriously come back to haunt them. They're going to have to play out of their skins now. The second innings will start shortly, don't go anywhere... |
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