Sri Lanka displayed resilience in the second Test against South Africa, concluding Day 4 at 205 for five, chasing 348 runs. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis held an unbeaten 83-run partnership, while Prabath Jayasuriya achieved a five-wicket haul in South Africa’s second innings.
In a determined display, Sri Lanka’s cricket team fought hard to remain competitive in the second Test against South Africa, held at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. The fourth day witnessed an impressive unbeaten partnership between captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, who managed to accumulate 83 runs together, finishing the day at 205 for five while chasing a target of 348 runs.
Initially, the South African bowlers appeared poised to conclude the match early, dismissing Sri Lanka’s top order for just 122 runs. With fast bowler Dane Paterson and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj each claiming two wickets, Sri Lanka’s situation looked precarious. However, De Silva and Mendis, both concluding the day with scores of 39 not out, successfully countered the South African attack, significantly improving their scoring rate.
Moreover, Sri Lanka’s left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya shone brightly in the match, obtaining his tenth five-wicket haul in Tests—his first achieved outside Sri Lanka—by taking five wickets for 129 runs as South Africa was dismissed for 317 runs in their second innings. Jayasuriya maintained consistent pressure, taking three wickets before lunch, exploiting the rough areas outside the right-handed batsmen’s leg stump. Despite efforts from Kagiso Rabada, who took the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne early on, South Africa struggled to dismiss the gritty Sri Lankan batsmen on a pitch favorable for batting.
The second Test match between Sri Lanka and South Africa is crucial for both teams in the ongoing series. This match follows established trends in Test cricket, where patient batting and strategic bowling can shift the momentum. Sri Lanka, facing overwhelming odds, sought to consolidate their position with skilled performances from their captain and senior batsmen, while South Africa aimed to secure a clean sweep in the series after previously winning the first Test.
In conclusion, Sri Lanka’s resilient effort on the fourth day of the second Test showcased their determination to mitigate the challenges posed by South Africa’s bowling attack. The partnership between De Silva and Mendis represents a key moment of resistance, and with skilled performances from bowlers like Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka aims to stave off defeat and remain competitive in this critical Test match.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
