Sri Lanka is struggling at 205-5 while chasing South Africa’s total of 348 runs in the second Test at St George’s Park, with a strong bowling performance from South Africa’s Paterson and Maharaj. An unbeaten partnership between captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis provides some hope as the match heads into a fifth day.
On the fourth day of the second Test match played at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, South Africa, Sri Lanka found themselves in a precarious position at 205-5 as they pursued a total of 348 runs set by their opponents. The South African bowlers, particularly medium-pacer Dane Paterson and spinner Keshav Maharaj, played instrumental roles in minimizing Sri Lanka’s efforts, each claiming two wickets. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada initiated the bowling assault by dismissing opener Dimuth Karunaratne in just the third over.
Despite the setbacks, Sri Lanka’s captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis formed a resilient partnership, rescuing their team from 122-5. Both players remained unbeaten at 39 runs as they compiled a crucial stand of 83 runs. This partnership ensured that the match extended into a fifth day; however, South Africa maintains a significant advantage. Notably, the highest successful run chase at this venue was achieved by Australia 27 years ago, with a target of 271 runs.
The context of this match reflects the competitive spirit of Test cricket, particularly in the context of South African dominance at home. With a target of 348 runs, Sri Lanka faced the challenge of chasing a high score on a pitch that has historically favored bowlers, particularly in the latter stages of the game. The bowlers from South Africa, including the experienced Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, and Keshav Maharaj, have been formidable throughout the series, putting pressure on the Sri Lankan batting lineup.
In summary, as South Africa leads Sri Lanka by 143 runs with only five wickets remaining, the team’s resilience, demonstrated by the partnership of De Silva and Mendis, might not be sufficient to overcome the significant deficit. The historical achievement of chasing a target of 348 at St George’s Park looms large over Sri Lanka as they fight to keep their hopes alive in this crucial Test match.
Original Source: apnews.com
