Pathum Nissanka scored 89 runs as Sri Lanka reached 242-3 against South Africa’s 358 in the second Test at St George’s Park. This performance starkly contrasts Sri Lanka’s previous 42 all out in the first Test. Nissanka’s innings included 11 fours and one six, leading crucial partnerships with various team members. South Africa’s Kyle Verreynne scored a century, keeping the match evenly poised.
On the second day of the second Test against South Africa at St George’s Park, Pathum Nissanka showcased an impressive performance, scoring 89 runs and guiding Sri Lanka to a solid position of 242-3 in response to South Africa’s first innings total of 358. Nissanka appeared poised for his third Test century until a misjudged charge against spinner Keshav Maharaj led to his dismissal, caught bowled. His innings consisted of 11 boundaries and one six, coming off 157 deliveries.
Opening batsman Nissanka’s innings was marred only by an earlier dropped catch at the hands of David Bedingham when he was on 22 runs, demonstrating his vulnerability amid an otherwise dominant performance. Thilina Kandamby, the Sri Lankan batting coach, reflected on Nissanka’s play, acknowledging his talent and dedication to improvement in his batting technique for longer innings. Kandamby noted, “Pathum was so good to watch but he will blame himself for the manner he got out.”
Sharing crucial partnerships, Nissanka partnered successfully with Dimuth Karunaratne (20 runs), Dinesh Chandimal (44 runs), and Angelo Mathews (40 runs not out), thereby strengthening Sri Lanka’s position after a disappointing first innings in the previous Test match. The current day’s play displayed a stark contrast to the previous outing where Sri Lanka managed a dismal 42 all out. Kandamby stated, “We all knew where we went wrong in Durban… The boys were up for the challenge.”
On the other side, South Africa capitalized on their earlier innings, adding 89 runs with Kyle Verreynne finishing unbeaten on 105 runs. Verreynne, showcasing his determination, commented, “After what happened in the first Test, it was easy to think that we could have potentially blown them away… But they have come out and played really nicely.” The match thus remains finely balanced as both teams aim to assert their dominance in the ongoing contest.
The ongoing Test series between Sri Lanka and South Africa has highlighted contrasting performances, particularly during the initial match. In the first Test match, Sri Lanka suffered a historic low, scoring only 42 runs, leading to their defeat by 233 runs. The second Test at St George’s Park, however, marked a significant improvement for the Sri Lankan team. The team’s response on the second day demonstrated their resiliency, primarily driven by the batting prowess of Pathum Nissanka who played a pivotal role in consolidating their innings following a dismal start to the series. South Africa, having established a strong first innings total of 358, are now faced with the challenge of dismantling a revitalized Sri Lankan batting lineup.
In conclusion, Pathum Nissanka’s commendable innings of 89 significantly bolstered Sri Lanka’s batting response, bringing the total to 242-3 against South Africa’s first innings score of 358. The shift in momentum from the previous Test match illustrates the potential for competitive play in the ongoing series. As both teams prepare for further confrontations, the balance of the match leans on which side will capitalize first, making the upcoming sessions critical for determining the outcome.
Original Source: www.france24.com
