Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis fought to keep their team’s hopes alive during the second Test against South Africa, forming an unbeaten 83-run partnership as they reached 205 for five. Prabath Jayasuriya took five wickets for 129 runs earlier, helping dismiss South Africa for 317. After struggling early in their innings, Sri Lanka aims to chase down a target of 348 runs to win.
On the fourth day of the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, Sri Lankan cricketers Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis demonstrated commendable resilience, striving to maintain their team’s chances against South Africa. The pair, Sri Lanka’s last recognized batsmen, formed a crucial unbeaten partnership of 83 runs, bringing the team’s total to 205 for five, while chasing a daunting target of 348 runs to win. The South African bowlers, particularly Dane Paterson and Keshav Maharaj, initially threatened to complete a swift series victory by dismissing five Sri Lankan batsmen for just 122 runs.
Having resumed play on the final day with South Africa leading, Prabath Jayasuriya was instrumental with the ball, achieving remarkable figures of five for 129. This marked his tenth five-wicket haul in Test cricket, and notably, his first achieved outside of Sri Lanka. South Africa, having resumed from 191 for three, eventually succumbed to 317 runs in their second innings. Jayasuriya showcased skillful bowling, particularly targeting the rough spots created outside the leg stump of right-handed batsmen.
Despite early setbacks, including the dismissal of captain Dimuth Karunaratne by Kagiso Rabada, who struck within the third over, Sri Lanka displayed grit and determination against a surface that remained favorable for batting. De Silva and Mendis’ partnership not only established stability but also accelerated the scoring rate, exceeding four runs per over, as they ended the day with both batsmen not out on 39 runs apiece.
The match between Sri Lanka and South Africa is part of a Test series where Sri Lanka sought to avoid a clean sweep after having lost the first Test. The challenges faced include overcoming the South African fast bowling strength and adapting to the conditions of the pitch, which have remained conducive to batting, despite the opposition’s bowling efforts. This particular Test is significant as it showcases the resilience and proficiency of Sri Lankan players under pressure, emphasizing the competitive nature of international cricket.
Sri Lanka’s performance on the fourth day reflects their determination to fight back in the face of adversity. The partnership between Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis is pivotal in their quest for survival in the match, which remains delicately poised. Jayasuriya’s bowling prowess underlines the critical roles played by both batting and bowling in Test cricket, setting the stage for a potentially thrilling conclusion.
Original Source: www.france24.com
