South Africa vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Day 2 Highlights: Almost two different conditions in two different halves of the day. The first half saw plenty of bounce and seam movement, which saw both sides' bowlers profit. First, Sri Lanka kept South Africa to 191, although they could have kept them to a lot less at 117/7 but then, were shocking shot out for 42 themselves, literally hitting themselves on their own foot. Since then, they have been playing catch up and even though they have picked up 3 wickets, they will understand that their backs are already against the wall with 3 days still left in the game. (Scorecard)
SA vs SL 1st Test Day 2 Highlights
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Welcome back. Well, surprise, surprise! SOUTH AFRICA HAVE DECLARED! We did not see this coming. Neither did the Sri Lankans, probably. 37 overs are left in the day. This sudden declaration would have caught the Lankan openers by shock more than surprise. But they have got to do the job. Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka slowly walk down the stairs as the Proteas get into a huddle. Kagiso Rabada to start off proceedings. Nissanka to face. Here we go!
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... DAY 3, FINAL SESSION ...
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It will be intriguing to see how long the Proteas choose to bat before unleashing their pace attack on Sri Lanka again. They might opt to bat for another hour or so in this final session, aiming to pile more runs and leave the opposition’s tired legs, after a gruelling day in the field, to face a daunting chase! The final session of Day 3 is set to commence at 1 pm GMT.
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In an effort to up the ante, Tristan Stubbs departed after a well-made 122. David Bedingham then arrived with clear intent to score briskly, immediately putting some pressure on the bowlers. While Sri Lanka created a couple of half-chances, they persevered and were rewarded with the prized wicket of skipper Bavuma right at the stroke of Tea.
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With the second new ball, Sri Lanka found some energy, extracting movement both ways to challenge the batters. Despite the testing phase, Stubbs and Bavuma, both nearing centuries, held their ground. Stubbs reached his milestone first, and just as nerves seemed to creep in for Bavuma, a timely drinks break helped him settle. The skipper then reached his well-deserved century, capping off a remarkable fourth-wicket partnership.
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Another session dominated by the Proteas! They added 133 runs in 27.4 overs, losing just two wickets. Starting the session with a commanding lead of 382, Bavuma and Stubbs showcased smart, calculated batting to extend South Africa's grip on the game. With the lead now ballooned to a massive 515, they are firmly dictating terms!
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100.4WAsitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma
OUT! LBW! This is definitely close and 'COME ONNNN!' yells Asitha. David Bedingham walks across to his skipper and suggests him to review. This was on a good length, outside off, Temba Bavuma looked to defend but missed as the ball jagged right back in. Missed the bat and hit him high on the back pad. Nothing on UltraEdge as ball passes bat. Big gap. What does Ball Tracker say? Three reds! It is official! Bavuma's luck runs out at last! He departs for a magnificent 113 and the whole team is applauding him off from the dressing room. With that, it is TEA ON DAY 3, SOUTH AFRICA ARE 366/5, LEAD BY 515!
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100.30Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma
Down the leg side again, Temba misses his flick once more. Someone appeals for a catch, probably Asitha himself. He seems to be the most interested with absolutely no support from the keeper. Dhananjaya de Silva is in the 'Doesn't-matter-what-happens' mode and blandly goes for the review, on his bowler's insistence. UltraEdge detects nothing when the ball passes the bat. Reviews lost, morale lost and slowly, game being lost as well.
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100.20Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma
On a good length, just outside off, the skipper defends it towards short mid-wicket.
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100.21 wdAsitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma
A bouncer, around off, Temba Bavuma pulls out of the pull. WIDE signalled for height.
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100.10Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma
On a good length, but down the leg side. Bavuma misses his flick.
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99.61to Temba Bavuma
Loopy, on off, Temba Bavuma eases it to long off for a single.
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99.50to Temba Bavuma
Fires it in, flatter and fuller, on middle, Temba Bavuma punches it to mid on.
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99.40to Temba Bavuma
Full, on middle and leg, Temba Bavuma nudges it on the leg side.
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99.31to
Dropped short, around off, Bedingham goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
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99.24to
FOUR! Cracking shot. Dropped short, around off, David Bedingham rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket. Splits deep mid-wicket and long on!
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99.12to
Short, outside off, cut through point for a couple..
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98.61Asitha Fernando to
Very full, just down leg, David Bedingham yet again tries to flick it away but only manages to get a feather of an edge to the left of the keeper who does well diving to that side and makes half a stop. A really loud appeal from Asitha alone and meanwhile the batters cross.
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98.50Asitha Fernando to
A slower one but still down leg, on a length, David Bedingham looks for a flick but misses.
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98.40Asitha Fernando to
Full and well down leg, David Bedingham has no way to reach but attempts it anyway.