Durban: Defeat stared Sri Lanka in the eyes as their top order faltered against South Africa’s formidable fast bowling, leaving them precariously placed at 101 for 5. With night watchman Prabath Jayasuriya being the exception, Sri Lanka struggled in their pursuit of a mammoth 516-run target, set by the hosts. The first test appeared nearly lost with two days still remaining, following a splendid batting display by South Africa, highlighted by centuries from captain Temba Bavuma and Triston Stubbs. The pair’s impressive 249-run partnership for the fourth wicket on a progressively batting-friendly Kingsmead pitch starkly contrasted with Sri Lanka’s inability to contend with the Proteas’ volatile pace attack.
According to Sri Lanka Cricket, the South African duo of Bavuma and Stubbs transformed a gloomy Kingsmead setting into a batting paradise, dismantling the Sri Lankan bowling attack. In response, Sri Lanka’s top four batsmen-Dimuth Karunaratne (4), Pathum Nissanka (23), Angelo Mathews (25), and Kamindu Mend
is (10)-collapsed, leaving the team teetering on the brink of defeat. With only three specialist batsmen remaining, Dinesh Chandimal was at the crease on 29, while skipper Dhananjaya de Silva had yet to score after entering with the night watchman in a bid to survive the final session, a hope that was extinguished.
Significantly, South Africa has positioned themselves favorably in this dual-purpose test, securing a potential series win and advancing towards the higher stakes of the Test Championship title. Their brilliant all-around performance was underscored by Bavuma’s 113 and Stubbs’ 122, achieved over 228 and 231 balls respectively, with Bavuma hitting 9 boundaries and Stubbs adding 9 boundaries and 2 sixes.
A rare bright spot for Sri Lanka was Prabath Jayasuriya’s achievement, becoming the second joint-fastest bowler to reach 100 Test wickets in his 17th appearance, dismissing Tony de Zorzi in South Africa’s second innings.
Sri Lanka ended the day at 42 and 103 for 5, with Chandimal unbeaten on 29. T
hey require another 413 runs to surpass South Africa’s score of 191 and an impressive 366 for 5 declared, with Stubbs and Bavuma leading the charge, while Vishwa Fernando managed figures of 2 for 64 in South Africa’s second innings.