SA v SL 2nd Test, Day 2 Review: Philander, Rabada put South Africa in driver's seat

What an eventful day it turned out to be for South Africa as they made light work of the visiting Sri Lankans and ensured they were in the driver’s seat by the end of the 2nd day’s play in the 2nd Test at Newlands in Cape Town. In all 14 wickets fell in the day’s play. Quinton de Kock set the ball the rolling from the outset and completed a magnificent century before the bowlers came into the thick of things by ripping apart the Lankan top order and eventually skittling them out for a paltry 110 in just 43 overs.

The Proteas ended the day without the loss of a wicket as both the openers Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar remained unbeaten to push the score to 35/0 in their 2nd essay, leading Sri Lanka by a massive 317 runs. Beginning the day’s play at 297/6, the Proteas lost Kyle Abbott early as Rangana Herath deceived him with a beautifully flighted delivery.

Coming around the stumps Herath pitched the ball in the good length area which bounced and took the feather of the bat and was safely pouched by Dinesh Chandimal. De Kock who was batting on 67 overnight continued from where he left on the opening day and reached his century in quick time. His innings of 101 were constructed with 11 hits to the fence. He was eventually dismissed by a peach of a delivery from Lahiru Kumara which came back sharply after pitching. Chandimal was again in the thick of things as he pouched yet another simple catch.

Lower-order batsman and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj played pretty well during the final phase of the innings and his 32 of 35 balls was crucial in propelling the South African total to 392. Maharaja struck 3 boundaries during his fluent innings while Vernon Philander also chipped in with a 20.

Youngster Lahiru Kumara who is playing in only his 3rd Test was the wrecker in chief as far as the visitors were concerned. The nippy fast bowler finished with career best figures of 6/122 in 25 overs. Suranga Lakmal and veteran left-arm spinner Rangana Herath also chipped in with a couple of wickets each.

The Sri Lankan openers began pretty well and played out the initial burst from Philander, Rabada and Kyle Abbott to perfection. Though they didn’t score too many runs but their efforts were enough to defy the Proteas bowlers for 15 overs. Both the openers were beaten several times by the pacers and the ploy finally worked as Rabada dismissed Kaushal Silva in the 16th over. The youngster banged in short as Silva inside edged straight into the stumps. He was undone by the extra bounce from Rabada.

Youngster Kusal Mendis who looked impressive for his half-century in the previous encountered struck a six and a four before perishing to Keshav Maharaj in a bid to up the ante. Maharaja bowled a well-flighted delivery around the off stump as Mendis went for slog sweep only to top edge it straight to JP Duminy fielding in the short cover region.

Silva followed his teammate to the dressing room in the very next over as he was cleaned up by a scorcher of a delivery from Kagiso Rabada. The youngster pitched in the good length area which deviated just a bit to castle the timbers.

There was no partnership thereafter whatsoever as the Sri Lankans kept losing at regular intervals. Captain Mathews was dismissed by Rabada with a beautiful outswinger as the captain went for an expansive drive. The ball took the outside edge and was safely grabbed by du Plessis stationed in the slip cordon. There was no respite for the visitors as Chandimal too fell in quick succession of Rabada and from there on it was a procession of sorts.

Apart from Upul Tharanga, no one got going as the visitors were bowled out for 110 in a mere 43 overs. While Rabada finished with excellent figures of 4/37, Philander’s was even better as his figures read 4/27. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaja also chipped in with a couple of wickets each to derail the visitor’s progress.

Coming out to bat in the 2nd essay, openers Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar played out the 11 overs quite safely and ended the day’s play at 35/0, with a massive lead of 317 runs. While Cook remained unbeaten on 15, Elgar remained undefeated on 19.

Brief Scores: 

South Africa –

1st innings: 392/10 (D Elgar 129; C Kumar 6/112)

2nd innings: 35/0 (D Elgar 19*)

Sri Lanka –

1st innings: 110/10 (V Philander 2/22, K Rabada 4/37)