SA vs SL: Karunaratne, Fernando keep visitors alive in the second Test

After bowling out Sri Lanka for just 157 runs on Day 1 of the second Test match, the Proteas were all set to post a daunting first innings total. However, Sri Lanka have given themselves a glimmer of hope after inspired performances from Dimuth Karunaratne and Vishwa Fernando. Sri Lanka ended the second day with […]
 
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SA vs SL: Karunaratne, Fernando keep visitors alive in the second Test

After bowling out Sri Lanka for just 157 runs on Day 1 of the second Test match, the Proteas were all set to post a daunting first innings total. However, Sri Lanka have given themselves a glimmer of hope after inspired performances from Dimuth Karunaratne and Vishwa Fernando.

Sri Lanka ended the second day with a score of 150 for the loss of four wickets after bowling out the hosts for a total of 302 runs. Vishwa Fernando was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors as he played a crucial role in restricting the Proteas’ first inning lead to 145 runs. Fernando bagged his maiden five wicket haul to restrict South Africa.

In the opening few exchanges of Day Two, Dean Elgar raced to his 13th Test century. Rassie van der Dussen also scored a half century. The Proteas were in a dominating position as the fielders kept letting the bowlers down by misfields and dropped chances.

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The hosts lost four successive wickets just before lunch as Elgar’s wicket led to a batting collapse. From a score of 218 for the loss of just one wicket, the Proteas were bowled out for just 302 runs. The hosts had a sizeable lead of 145 runs going into the second innings.

SA vs SL: Karunaratne, Fernando keep visitors alive in the second Test

Kusal Perera was dismissed early into the innings, before Karunaratne and Thirimane stitched a crucial partnership of 85 runs for the second wicket. Lungi Ngidi delivered back to back breakthroughs after he dismissed Lahiru Thirimane and Kusal Mendis on consecutive deliveries. Debutant, Minod Bhanuka succumbed to a short ball by Anrich Nortje as the visitors went from 86 for 1 to 109 for 4.

Dickwella and Karunaratne stitched an unbeaten partnership of 41 runs to see out the rest of the day. Dimuth Karunaratne is Sri Lanka’s main man going into Day 3 as he ended the day with an unbeaten score of 91 runs.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 157 & 150/4 lead South Africa 302 by 5 runs.