Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis forged a crucial partnership on the fourth day of the second Test against South Africa, reaching 205 for five while chasing 348 runs. Prabath Jayasuriya also excelled with five wickets, helping to restrict South Africa to 317 runs in their second innings. Despite a challenging start, Sri Lanka’s last recognized batsmen aim to build further on their partnership to prevent a series sweep by South Africa.
In a determined effort to remain competitive in the second Test against South Africa, Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis put forth a commendable performance on the fourth day at St George’s Park. The duo, who are the last recognized batsmen, formed an unbroken partnership of 83 runs, reaching a score of 205 for five as they chased a target of 348 runs. Their resilience was particularly noteworthy after Sri Lanka faced considerable pressure, having been reduced to 122 for five earlier in the match.
South Africa’s bowlers, particularly fast bowler Dane Paterson and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, initially posed a significant threat, each claiming two wickets. However, De Silva and Mendis demonstrated adeptness at the crease, both concluding the day with scores of 39 not out. Prior to this, left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya excelled for Sri Lanka, securing figures of five wickets for 129 runs. This achievement marked Jayasuriya’s tenth five-wicket haul in Tests, though it was noted as his first performance of this caliber outside of Sri Lanka. After resuming on 191 for three, South Africa was bowled out for 317, largely owing to Jayasuriya’s relentless bowling. Kagiso Rabada’s early success in dismissing Dimuth Karunaratne highlighted the challenges faced by the Sri Lankan batsmen, yet the pitch remained favorable for batting as the match progressed.
The ongoing Test series between Sri Lanka and South Africa is critical for both teams, specifically for Sri Lanka, which seeks to solidify its standing in international cricket. The second Test, taking place at St George’s Park, is vital, as Sri Lanka aims to avoid a clean sweep after losing the first match. The performance of key players such as Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis can significantly influence the team’s chances of achieving a respectable result in this series.
As the fourth day of the second Test concludes, Sri Lanka stands at a precarious juncture, with Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis displaying commendable fortitude. Their partnership has sparked hope for the team, though full credit must also be given to Prabath Jayasuriya for his impactful bowling performance. The upcoming day’s play will be crucial for Sri Lanka as they seek to avoid defeat and demonstrate resilience against a formidable South African side.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
