Chasing an improbable target of 488, inexperienced Sri Lankan batsmen have staged a great fightback in the first Test against South Africa but late wickets have made the hosts firm favourites to take a 1-0 lead in the series. At stumps, the visitors were 240 for 5, still needing 248 runs to pull off a sensational victory on the final day.
On a pitch that has become easy to bat on as the game progressed, the Sri Lankan openers – Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva began the chase in fine fashion, adding 87 runs for the first wicket. But two wickets in the space of 15 balls threatened to derail the chase. Karunaratne and Silva’s promising partnership was ended in a heartbreaking manner when the former was run-out for 43. Kusal Perera, who played a rash shot to get out in the first innings, did little to consolidate his position in the playing eleven when he edged a turning delivery from Keshav Maharaj with the scorecard reading 93.
Two quick wickets gave the bowlers a much-needed confidence as they turned the screws on the batsmen, making it tough for Silva and Kusal Mendis to score runs. However, the batsmen did not lose their focus and helped the visitors to go into the Tea break at 118 for 2.
Kagiso Rabada put the hosts in firm command when he dismissed a well-set Kaushal Silva in the second over of the final session. Angelo Mathews and Kusal Mendis then steadied the ship with a 75-run partnership before Rabada struck once again to leave the visitors reeling on 193 for 4. The left-handed batsman was looking in fine touch, playing some lovely shots all around the park but played a poor shot to bring his downfall. With the batsmen looking well set, Faf du Plessis asked Rabada to bowl short and the move immediately paid dividends when Mendis, looking to steer a short ball over the slip cordon, could only guide the ball into Quinton de Kock’s gloves. Dinesh Chandimal failed to contribute big and returned to the pavilion after scoring only 8. Mathews (58*) and Dhananjaya de Silva (9*) will resume the proceedings with the bat on the final day.
Earlier, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock completed half-centuries and stretched their overnight sixth-wicket partnership to 129 before the Proteas declared on 406 for 6 after the wicketkeeper-batsman was dismissed by Rangana Herath.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 205 and 240 for 5 (Mendis 58, Mathews 58*) need another 248 runs to beat South Africa 286 and 406 for 6 dec (Cook 117, de Kock 69, du Plessis 67*, Elgar 52)