SL Vs SA, 2018: Spinner Keeps Sri Lanka on Top at the End of Day Two

Published - 13 Jul 2018, 10:38 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:53 PM

(Photo credit should read LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lanka dominated the proceedings to bundle out South Africa for just 126 and then extended the lead to 272 at the close of play on day two of the opening Test in Galle.Meanwhile, for the hosts, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, and Suranga Lakmal shared nine wickets between them. Furthermore, Dimuth Karunaratne continued his impressive form with a fluent hand of 60 in the second innings.

Sri Lanka’s surge towards a dominant position was led by the reliable spin duo of Perera and Herath. Keshav Maharaj, the nightwatchman, was undone by the arm ball from Herath.

Perera followed his experienced campaigner by dismissing Dean Elgar with the drifter. On both occasions, the batsman played for the turn and paid the price.

Hashim Amla and Temba Bavuma tried to resurrect the innings with a useful stand of 27 before Perera nipped out the former. Bavuma was soon to follow missing the line while playing a sweep.

Perera, at another end, continued to make incisions as he cleaned up Quinton de Kock with a peach of a delivery from round the wicket. At that juncture, the visitors were 51 for six and in deep trouble.

Faf du Plessis (49) led from the front and got usual support by Vernon Philander (18) as the pair stitched a vital 64-run stand.

Philander, who survived a few anxious moments, eventually got out LBW on the bowling of Perera. Lakmal provided the finishing touches by generating contrasting swing to snare three scalps, including that of South Africa’s best batsman on show du Plessis.On the back of a sizeable lead of 161, Karunratne once more displayed all his skills on a helpful track before he fell to speedster Kagiso Rabada, with Amla grabbing the catch in the slip cordon.

Sri Lanka takes an extensive lead:

However, Maharaj’s performance in the second dig will keep the South Africa camp excited. The left-arm spinner struggled to bowl with control in the first dig, but in the second innings, he extracted appreciable turn to dislodge Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, and Kusal Mendis respectively.

The delivery he bowled to Mendis was one of the highlights of the day as he pitched it on middle and leg-stump before it turned sharply to knock down the off-stump.

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Despite those late strikes, Sri Lanka holds all the aces on a crumbling pitch. As a result, they will fancy their chances of taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 287 (Dimuth Karunaratne 158*; Kagiso Rabada 4-50) and 111/4 (Dimuth Karunaratne 60; Keshav Maharaj 3-37) lead South Africa 126 (Faf du Plessis 49; Dilruwan Perera 4-46) by 272 runs.

Also read: Virat Kohli applauded for upholding true sportsman spirit

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South Africa tour of Sri Lanka 2018

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Ankush Das

I am an accountant by qualification, my parents thought their obedient son would study further to be... Read more

SL Vs SA, 2018: Spinner Keeps Sri Lanka on Top at the End of Day Two

Sri Lanka takes an extensive lead:

SHORTS

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 287 (Dimuth Karunaratne 158*; Kagiso Rabada 4-50) and 111/4 (Dimuth Karunaratne 60; Keshav Maharaj 3-37) lead South Africa 126 (Faf du Plessis 49; Dilruwan Perera 4-46) by 272 runs.

About the Author

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