On day four of the second Test, Sri Lanka fought to stay competitive against South Africa, reaching 205 for five thanks to an unbeaten 83-run partnership between captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, who both scored 39 not out. Sri Lanka initially struggled at 122 for five, but managed to stabilize their innings. Earlier, Prabath Jayasuriya claimed five wickets, aiding Sri Lanka’s bowling effort against South Africa, who were bowled out for 317 runs.
In a commendable display of resilience, Sri Lanka maintained their pursuit in the second Test against South Africa at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Sunday. The captain, Dhananjaya de Silva, and fellow batsman, Kusal Mendis, formed an unbroken partnership of 83 runs, finishing the day’s play at 205 for five, while facing a challenging target of 348 runs set by South Africa. Initially, Sri Lanka struggled, finding themselves at a precarious 122 for five, with South African bowlers Dane Paterson and Keshav Maharaj each claiming two wickets. However, De Silva and Mendis, both not out at 39, managed not only to stabilize the innings but also maintain a competitive scoring rate of over four runs per over.
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya earned notable praise for his performance, taking five wickets for 129 runs, marking his tenth five-wicket haul in Test cricket, with this being his first achievement of such a milestone outside of Sri Lanka. His bowling played a critical role, resulting in South Africa’s dismissal for 317 runs in their second innings after they resumed from 191 for three. Jayasuriya’s effectiveness lay in his ability to bowl consistently into the rough areas outside the leg stump, causing significant difficulties for the South African batsmen. Despite Kagiso Rabada’s early breakthrough by dismissing Dimuth Karunaratne, South Africa faced considerable challenges in finding wickets on a pitch favorable for batting.
The second Test match between Sri Lanka and South Africa has garnered significant attention as it not only represents a vital contest for Sri Lanka but also stands as an important chapter in their cricketing journey. After losing the first Test, Sri Lanka is keen on demonstrating their competitive spirit in this match. The pitch conditions are generally perceived to be conducive for batters, which adds to the challenge both teams face during this encounter. South Africa is on the verge of completing a series clean sweep, putting additional pressure on the Sri Lankan team to respond resiliently and effectively.
Sri Lanka’s performance on the fourth day of the second Test against South Africa reflects their determination to avoid a series defeat. The partnership between Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis underscores their resilience, as they successfully regained control in a critical phase of their innings. Despite the earlier challenges, their efforts have potentially set the stage for a gripping final day. The contributions from Prabath Jayasuriya earlier in the match emphasize the competing challenges both teams face, creating an engaging narrative in the ongoing Test series.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
