South Africa needs eight wickets to win as Sri Lanka trails by 288 runs while chasing a target of 348 in the second Test at St George’s Park. Sri Lanka concluded tea at 60-2, having lost two openers rapidly. South Africa’s bowler Prabath Jayasuriya claimed five wickets, while captain Temba Bavuma top-scored for the hosts with 66 runs. The match highlights the competitive tension as both teams vie for victory in the series.
In the ongoing second Test at St George’s Park, South Africa has placed Sri Lanka in a precarious position, requiring them to take eight wickets to seize victory. Following South Africa’s declaration at 347 runs ahead, Sri Lanka ended the tea break at 60 runs for the loss of two wickets, engaging in a challenging pursuit of a 348-run target. The Sri Lankan batting lineup struggled against South Africa’s bowlers, particularly as they lost their openers early in the innings.
After bowling South Africa out for 317 earlier in the day, Sri Lanka faces the daunting task of scoring an additional 288 runs to level the series. This target is notably high, with it being a record chase for Gqeberha (previously referred to as Port Elizabeth). However, Sri Lanka’s intent to attack led to their downfall, with Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne dismissed quickly, the former after a successful review for an earlier lbw call.
Karunaratne’s dismissal came off an lbw decision from Kagiso Rabada, which was not overturned. Meanwhile, Nissanka managed to hit four boundaries before chasing an ill-advised delivery outside off stump, leading to his dismissal for 18 runs. During the tea break, Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews remained unbeaten on 29 and 6 runs, respectively, indicating a glimmer of hope for Sri Lanka.
On the other hand, South Africa’s innings was highlighted by captain Temba Bavuma, who scored 66 runs. After resuming on 48, he achieved his 24th Test fifty but was unfortunately dismissed by spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who recorded a formidable five-wicket haul with figures of 5-129. This performance marked Jayasuriya’s first five-wicket collection away from Sri Lanka, further solidifying his reputation in international cricket. A previous meeting between the two teams saw South Africa triumph by 233 runs in Durban, setting the stage for a competitive conclusion to the series.
The article concerns a cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka during the second Test of a two-match series held at St George’s Park, Gqeberha. South Africa had won the first Test convincingly, placing significant pressure on Sri Lanka in this ongoing match. With a challenging target set, the dynamics of Test cricket highlighted the importance of strategic batting and effective bowling, particularly in a high-stakes environment where both teams aimed for supremacy. The performance of bowlers and batsmen alike delivered critical moments that shaped the game’s narrative.
In conclusion, South Africa has placed Sri Lanka in an ardent fight for survival, requiring eight wickets to secure victory while Sri Lanka must pursue a daunting chase of 348 runs. With early dismissals impacting their chances significantly, Sri Lanka faces a steep uphill battle as they strive to even the series. The performance of South Africa’s bowlers, particularly Prabath Jayasuriya, has been noteworthy, showcasing their potential to dominate as the match progresses.
Original Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
