South Africa v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Day 3 - 5 Talking Points

South Africa were in firm command of the match at the end of day 3 of the ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka. With a lead of over 300, the match headed towards just one result, and that was in favour of the hosts. Earlier in the match, South Africa had posted a huge 392 on the board. Four-wicket hauls from Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada saw Sri Lanka bundle out for a mere 110 in reply. Resuming their innings on day 3, the South African openers looked good for the first hour of the play.

Dean Elgar went on to back his century of the first innings with a fifty in the second. However, wickets then started falling at regular intervals. Most batsmen got starts but none could convert them to big scores. South Africa eventually declared on 224/7 in their second innings and thereby giving Sri Lanka a target of 506 to win. Sri Lanka, in pursuit of an improbable run chase, managed to put on 130/4 at the end of day’s play with two senior batsmen – Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews – at the crease.

Here are 5 Talking points from the day 3 play of the 2nd Test:

1. Elgar packs a punch yet again

Dean Elgar rose to the occasion in the first innings of the game with a marvellous ton to his name. The dynamic batsman went on to back up the effort with another gritty fifty in the second innings. He looked good for his 91-ball 55 that was studded with 7 boundaries. It was Rangana Herath who had him caught by Angelo Mathews.

He gave yet another solid start to the hosts. Batting alongside Stephen Cook, Elgar powered South Africa to a consolidating position in the first hour of day 3. The duo added 64 runs for the opening stand.

2. Amla, Bavuma continue to struggle

While most of the South African batsmen have managed to be amongst the runs this series, two of the key batsmen have faltered. Temba Bavuma was being tipped as the next big thing in South African cricket. However, the youngster has had a poor run in the series thus far. The string of low scores continued as he was dismissed for a duck in the second innings.

The mainstay of Proteas batting lineup, Hashim Amla, also had his rough run in the series continue. He could not get off the mark and had to head back with a duck. A big knock is still due from the bat of Amla in this series.

3. Suranga Lakmal strikes back in Cape Town

Sri Lankan pacer Suranga Lakmal has by far been the most impressive bowler on the tour for his side. He started off the series with a five-wicket haul – his first in Test cricket. He backed it up with crucial wickets in the second innings of the first Test. Just when he was been tagged as a one match wonder for the series, Lakmal was at his best again.

He scalped 4/69 in the second innings of the ongoing Test. He got the first breakthrough for his side when he dismissed Stephen Cook. Later, he ran through the Proteas middle order dismissing Amla, Duminy and Faf du Plessis.

4. Batting woes for Sri Lanka continues

The reason why the Sri Lankan side has been underachieving in this series has been due to their batting. They bundled out for a paltry 110 in the first innings. The defeat looks inevitable with 506 to chase. However, the fans would have liked had the batters from the Emerald isle put on a resistance.

It was a case of yet another top-order collapse for Sri Lanka in the second innings. The bowling duo of Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander wreaked havoc yet again. Sri Lanka were at 69/4 at one stage in the match and that certainly looks pathetic when one is chasing 506.

5. Philander, Rabada put South Africa in command

After the batters did their job, the bowling duo of South Africa was at business yet again. Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander went on to pick two wickets each on the third day and have Sri Lanka finish on 130/4 on the day. Philander finished with figures of 2/34 and Rabada scalped 2/22 during the day.

One must not forget the contribution of the third pacer, Kyle Abbott. Abbott bowled 10 overs with 3 maidens to his name. He gave away just 23 runs and built pressure on the visitors as Philander and Rabada cashed in.