Sri Lanka spin a web around South Africa on Day 2 of 1st Test

by Saksham Mishra Friday 13 July 2018

©Reuters

When South Africa resumed from their overnight score of 4 for one, a batting collapse was already feared as the pitch was turning square from Day 1.

Sri Lanka 287 (Dimuth Karunaratne 158*; Kagiso Rabada 4-50) and 111/4 (Dimuth Karunaratne 60; Keshav Maharaj 3-37) lead by 272 runs

South Africa 126 (Faf du Plessis 49; Dilruwan Perera 4-46)

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South Africa did not have the quality spinners to exploit the conditions to the fullest on Day 1. Tabraiz Shamsi’s three wickets at the start gave telling signs of what was to transpire on the coming days.

At Stumps of Day 2, Sri Lanka extended the lead to 272 after cleaning up South Africa for 126. #SLvSA
SL 287 & 111/4 (37.0 Ovs) Angelo Mathews on 14* with Roshen Silva on 10*, Dimuth Karunaratne 60. https://t.co/THj5LpvkiU pic.twitter.com/2ekUcX5ycb
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) July 13, 2018

Soon after the start of play, night watchman Keshav Maharaj was dismissed. Dean Elgar followed soon as South Africa were found tottering at 13 for 3. Hashim Amla (15) and Temba Bavuma (17) then tried to weather the storm but their resolve did not last too long as Dilruwan Perera soon broke the partnership.

After this wicket, no other South African batsman except Captain Faf du Plessis (49) could stage a fight back as the entire team was bundled out for 126 in a little more than 50 overs.

It's a special day for our fearless leader @faf1307, he is 34 not out! Happy birthday captain! Wishing you many more and a fantastic year ahead! #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/SxotAkjUXt
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) July 13, 2018

Dilruwan Perera was the highest wicket-taker who took 4 wickets. Stand in Captain Suranga Lakmal bagged three scalps while Rangana Herath picked up two wickets.

#CSAnews Proteas batsmen will need to dig deep https://t.co/Z2GgPj4GS2 pic.twitter.com/aaEFvCx1ng
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) July 13, 2018

In their second innings, Dimuth Karunaratne – the centurion of the first innings – batted solidly yet again to score a steady 60. With small but useful unbeaten contributions from Angelo Matthews (14) and Roshan Silva (10), Sri Lanka have reached a place in the match where they would have to do things drastically wrong not to win the match from here on in.

Keshav Maharaj gradually came to his own, bagging three wickets. At the close of play, Sri Lanka lead by 272 runs with South Africa looking set for a lot of trouble.