South Africa vs Sri Lanka Live (South Africa National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team) 2nd Test Day 3 LIVE:
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the fourth day of the second Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka taking place at St George’s Park, Gqeberha.
South Africa will look to extend their lead and set a good enough target going into the final innings of the second Test.
Temba Bavuma is nearing his fifty and Tristan Stubbs is not too far behind. The Proteas, already up 1-0 in the short series, ought to feel more confident with a few more runs on the board by lunchtime on Sunday. The highest successful run chase at St George’s Park was 271 by Australia in 1997 against South Africa.
South Africa will hope to take the win to keep their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship Final for the 2023-25 cycle.
South Africa’s XI: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson
Sri Lanka’s XI: Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara
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Now this is not going to be an easy task but not an impossible one too. The wicket is a good one to bat on but you need to apply yourself. Can Lanka do so? South Africa on the other hand, would hope to make use of the new ball. Join us for the reply in a bit.
When the day began, it seemed Lanka would be chasing over 400 as Stubbs and Bavuma were batting brilliantly but one wicket got about a procession. At one time it seemed, The lead would not cross 300 but credit to the lower order who have managed to add handy runs and taken the lead close to 350.
South Africa did well after the break! They came out, batted with intent, scored some quick runs and have taken their lead very close to 350. Overall though, it is Lanka who have dominated the day so far and it is that man, Prabath Jayasuriya who is leading them off the field, the star for them.
85.6 – OUT! TIMBER! Cleans him up this time! A yorker on off. Paterson looks to go over cover but misses and it hits the stumps.
Batsman_1 : Dane Paterson 14(8)
Batsman_2 : Keshav Maharaj 14(22)
Bowler : Asitha Fernando 1/52(14)
Over : 86
Run : 5
Wicket : 1
Score : 317/10
85.5 – Paterson makes room. A slower one just outside off. Paterson swings. This just misses the stumps as he misses the pull.
85.2 – FOUR! Pulled away! Goes short and on middle. This is pulled through square leg and it races away to the fence.
85.1 – Around off. Maharaj defends it.
84.5 – Makes room again. This is full and just outside off. Paterson misses to put bat on ball.
84.4 – FOUR! Just out of the fielder’s reach and the crowd is enjoying it. Paterson moves away and he’s followed as Kumara bowls a short one. This is pulled towards deep square leg. The fielder runs back, dives forwards but can’t reach it. Boundary.
84.2 – Outside off. Left alone.
84.1 – A good bumper then! Maharaj evades it.
83.6 – SIX! Well, well, well! Before the ball, Maharaj had a word with Paterson but we are not sure he said that. Paterson though has different ideas. Fuller and on off. This is lofted over the long off fence for a biggie.
Batsman_1 : Dane Paterson 6(3)
Batsman_2 : Keshav Maharaj 8(15)
Bowler : Prabath Jayasuriya 5/129(34)
Over : 84
Run : 13
Wicket : 0
Score : 303/9
83.4 – Fuller and on middle. Blocked.
83.3 – SIX! Gets hold of this one. This is a hit me ball. Short, slow and asking to be hit. This is pulled over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.
83.2 – Down the leg side. Left alone.
83.1 – Angled into the pads. This is worked to square leg.
82.4 – OUT! Edged and taken! Number 9 down! Kumara has his revenge. Goes short again does Kumara. He looks to pull. It goes off the top edge and it is taken by the keeper. It wasn’t given out at first but that’s a good review by Lanka.
82.3 – Nasty! Very nasty! That’s a sharp bumper. On the body. Rabada does not move away from it. He’s hit on the helmet.
82.1 – FOUR! Intentions clear! Goes for it straightaway! Fuller and on middle. This is lofted over mid on and it races away.
The lead is just over 300 and Lanka would want to take the remaining two wickets quickly. South Africa on the other hand, will hope the tail can wag and take the lead to over 350. An interesting session awaits.
That’s a very fine session for Lanka! They have made a small come back in the game. To begin with, it was Stubbs and Bavuma milking it around and making run scoring look easy. The former got run out and after that it was Prabath Jayasuriya who weaved his magic. He bowled brilliantly and has got his side back into the game.
81.3 – Down the leg side this time. Maharaj lets it be.
81.2 – On middle. Defended.
81.6 – On the stumps. Kept out.
Batsman_1 : Keshav Maharaj 2(10)
Batsman_2 : Kagiso Rabada 0(4)
Bowler : Prabath Jayasuriya 5/117(33)
Over : 82
Run : 0
Wicket : 0
Score : 282/8
81.5 – On off. This is guided to point.
81.4 – Another one on the pads. Padded away.
80.5 – Outside off. Left alone.
80.4 – On the stumps. Blocked again.
80.3 – On off. Blocked.