Batsmen of South Africa continued to struggle against Sri Lankan spinners as they were bundled out for a paltry total of 124 in the first innings of the second Test at Sinhalese Cricket Club (SSC) in Colombo. In fact, all the ten Proteas wickets were taken by three Sri Lankan spinners.
Consequently, the host’s spinners have breathed down the neck of the visitor’s batsmen. Interestingly, even the single Proteas batsman failed to cross the 50-run mark.
The visitors failed to achieve any impetus during their first essay while having no clue whatsoever on a rank turner. The tourists kept losing wickets at regular intervals to have their backs against the wall.
South Africa continues to struggle against Sri Lanka’s spinners:
Interestingly, Keshav Maharaj was able to take nine scalps in Sri Lanka’s first innings. Maharaj became the 17th bowler to take nine wickets in an innings.
The left-arm spinner Maharaj became the second South African and first after readmission to achieve the feat. However, the hosts had put a competitive total of 338 in their first innings.
Akila Dananjaya, who is playing his third Test match took a five-wicket haul – to put the visitors on the backfoot.
Furthermore, off-spinner Dilruwan Perera continued his liking of hunting down the Proteas batsman as he scalped four wickets. In addition, Rangana Herath took a solitary wicket.
Sri Lanka is already leading by 1-0 in a two-match Test series. Moreover, with a lead of 232 runs and 10 wickets in the bag, the hosts are looking good to win the series by 2-0.
On the other hand, the South African side has been poor in their execution of skills. But they have failed to read Sri Lankan spinners and they have themselves to blame for their poor performance.
Also, here is how Twitter reacted to South African collapse:
@OfficialCSA making a strong case for 3 day test matches #SLvSA
— Dazzalenko (@nirunaveenda) July 21, 2018
@amlahash completes his 9,000 Test Runs.
He is only the third African batsman after @jacqueskallis75 (13,206) and @GraemeSmith49 (9,253) to achieve this feat. #SLvSA #AmlaKaHamla— Akhil Gupta 🏏 (@Guptastats92) July 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/Siddhan94832715/status/1020603068478414848
https://twitter.com/brainfadesmith/status/1020602764244553729
#SLvSA disgraceful pitch/minefield were the comments…but but…was that a reverse sweep by these crazy Sri Lankans? 😂😂😂
— ᙏIᙅᕼᗩᙓᒪ@ˡᶤᶰᶜʰᵖᶤᶰ. ශ්රී🇱🇰 (@lobowolftrip) July 21, 2018
@OfficialCSA can you please explain why u selected only one spinner for this game #SLvSA
— AfricanAmerican (@gumedelucky82) July 21, 2018
What was the rating ICC has given the Galle track?#SLvSA
— Mr. A 🏏 (@cricdrugs) July 21, 2018
#ProteaFire batsmen r just sitting ducks against these spinners #SLvSA #SSCricket
— AfricanAmerican (@gumedelucky82) July 21, 2018
#Proteas tactics and think tank being shown up big time here. 3 pacers on a wicket where the opposition had just one- Lakmal (and Sri Lanka didn't even have to use him!) #SLvSA #sscricket
— thecricketblog (@thecricblogger) July 21, 2018
South Africa is in trouble. These openes are playing lije one day now. Whike we still gave countless chances to the guys like Bavuma I don't see ourselves winning this game. @OfficialCSA #SLvSA
— Matshaya, Doyi (@Maliqo) July 21, 2018
