SA v SL 3rd Test, Day 2 Review: Bowlers help South Africa consolidate to a position of strength

South Africa yet again continued their domination over Sri Lanka in the Test series and finished the 2nd day’s play of the 3rd and the final Test at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg as firm favourites to complete a 3-0 whitewash. Despite Sri Lankan bowler’s inspired performance in the morning session, the batsmen failed to get going and were precariously placed at 80/4 responding to South Africa’s 426. South Africa’s charge was halted in the fag end of the day as bad light brought a premature end to the day’s play.

Beginning the day’s play at 338/3, South Africa couldn’t consolidate their position of strength and started losing wickets at regular intervals. After a cautious start, South Africa eventually lost their nightwatchman debutant Duanne Olivier in the 8th over of the day of the bowling of rival captain Angelo Mathews. Despite the decision being ruled in favour of the batsman, Sri Lanka challenged it which went in their favour.

Proteas captain Faf du Plessis joined Hashim Amla in the middle and after playing few delightful drives he too was dismissed cheaply by Nuwan Pradeep. It was a peach of a delivery from Pradeep which completely squared up du Plessis and all he managed was to edge it to the 2nd slip fielder who did no mistake. Temba Bavuma followed du Plessis to the pavilion in the same over after failing to middle an outside the off-stump delivery from Pradeep. He lured him into the drive which took the outside edge of the bat and was safely gobbled by the 1st slip fielder.

Overnight batsman and centurion in his 100th Test, Hashim Amla also fell in quick time to continue the procession. It was a length delivery by Pradeep outside the off stump which moved away just enough to take the outside edge of Amla’s bat. The ball was dying into the slip cordon and might not have reached the slip fielder. Instead, Dinesh Chandimal dived across and completed a sensation catch to leave the hosts placed at 367/7 after beginning the day’s play at 338/3.

Meanwhile, Quinton de Kock played some exquisite shots as he kept losing his partners very frequently. He struck 5 delightful boundaries during his innings of 34. De Kock was the last man to fall as South Africa folded out for 426 in the 125th over. Fast bowlers Nuwan Pradeep and newcomer Lahiru Kumar was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with 4 wickets each while captain Angelo Mathews bagged a couple more.

In pursuit of a daunting 1st innings total, Sri Lanka began in the worst possible manner, losing opener Dimuth Karunaratne in the 4th ball of the innings of the bowling of swing specialist Vernon Philander. Philander who has been terrific in the Test series so far yet again bamboozled the batsmen with his immaculate line and length and prodigious swing. The ball moved just a bit to take the outside edge of Karunaratne’s bat which was safely pocketed by Quinton de Kock behind the stumps.

Kusal Mendis joined Kaushal Silva in the middle and the duo looked to defy the Sri Lankan bowlers. After adding 47 runs stand for the 2nd wicket, Kaushal Silva was dismissed in the 15th over by youngster Kagiso Rabada. It was ideal length and line which took a thin edge of Silva’s bat and was safely gobbled by Quinton de Kock behind the stumps.

Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis was playing some delightful strokes and ticking along the scorecard. He struck 6 fours and a solitary six during his fluent innings of 41 before he was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada during the fag end of the day. Philander added one more to his kitty before the end of the day’s play as he dismissed Dhananjaya de Silva with a beautiful outswinger. The ball pitched in the right area and took the flashing blade of Silva’s bat which was brilliantly caught by Temba Bavuma stationed in the point region.

With 3 more days to go in the 3rd and the final Test, the hosts clearly look the outright favourites to complete a 3-0 whitewash against the islanders.

Brief Scores

South Africa 426 (JP Duminy 155, Hashim Amla 134, Nuwan Pradeep 4/78)

Sri Lanka 80/4 in 28.4 overs (Kusal Mendis 41, Vernon Philander 2/23)

Sri Lanka trail by 346 runs with 6 wickets remaining in the 1st innings