Published: Jan 03, 2017, 09:10 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 03, 2017, 09:10 PM (IST)
Vernon Philander (4 for 27) and Kagiso Rabada (4 for 37) demolished Sri Lanka’s first innings with some spirited bowling and bundled them out for 110. Spinner Keshav Maharaj also chipped in with 2 wickets. South Africa thus gained a massive 282-run lead in the first innings, but declined the follow-on to the visitors, who had a terrible outing in the middle. Their innings lasted just 43 overs with only five batsmen getting into double digits. Upul Tharanga (26*) was the highest scorer for them, while opener Dimuth Karunaratne scored 24. After a stupendous performance with the ball, South Africa are now firm favourites for a big win in this Test.
After restricting South Africa for 392, Sri Lanka started cautiously with the openers Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva adding 31 runs for the first wicket. Rabada got the first breakthrough when he forced Silva to drag the ball on to the stumps. Kusal Mendis, the new No. 3, replaced him and showed aggressive intent. But he was soon sent back by Maharaj. Sri Lanka took tea with score reading 56 for 2. Post tea, the visitors lost wickets in heaps. First to go was Karunaratne, who was brilliantly caught by Temba Bavuma at point.
Angelo Mathews, who came in next, became Rabada’s third victim when he was caught in the slip. Maharaj then removed Dhananjaya de Silva and immediately Rabada sent back Dinesh Chandimal, with score reading 78 for 6. Philander then returned to the spell to polish off the tail and end Lanka’s innings for 110.
Brief Scores: South Africa 392 (Dean Elgar 129, Quinton de Kock 101; Lahiru Kumara 6 for 122) vs Sri Lanka 110 (Upul Tharanga 26*, Dimuth Karunaratne 24; Vernon Philander 4 for 27, Kagiso Rabada 4 for 37).
