South Africa requires eight wickets to win against Sri Lanka, who are pursuing a 348-run target in Gqeberha. At tea on day four, Sri Lanka is at 60 for 2, needing 288 more runs to win. Temba Bavuma led South Africa with 66 runs, while Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya captured five wickets. South Africa won the first Test by 233 runs.
In Gqeberha, South Africa is poised to win the second Test against Sri Lanka, requiring eight more wickets as the visitors chase a daunting target of 348 runs. After dismissing South Africa for 317, Sri Lanka found themselves at 60 for 2 at tea on the fourth day, needing an additional 288 runs to level the series. Sri Lanka’s aggressive batting strategy led to the loss of both their openers early. Pathum Nissanka, after initially surviving an lbw review, was dismissed for 18, while Dimuth Karunaratne fell for a single run after a failed review.
Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews remained unbeaten at the interval with scores of 29 and 6, respectively. Earlier, South Africa built their lead by adding 35 runs after lunch, with Temba Bavuma emerging as the top scorer with 66 runs, though he once again fell short of converting his fifty into a century. Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya achieved a notable milestone by claiming five wickets, marking his career best in an overseas Test. South Africa previously triumphed over Sri Lanka by 233 runs in the first Test in Durban, thereby putting them in a position to secure the series.
This match is a critical part of the two-Test series between South Africa and Sri Lanka. After South Africa won the first Test decisively in Durban, they now seek to maintain their dominance at home. The current Test is being held at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, where historical chase targets have been established. Sri Lanka’s precarious position reflects both the pressure of the situation and their attacking but risky batting approach against a potent South African bowling lineup.
As the second Test progresses, South Africa’s bowlers have successfully placed Sri Lanka in a challenging position. With only eight wickets required for victory, the home team appears poised to win and seal the series. This Test, marked by notable performances and strategies, underscores the evolving dynamics of cricket, especially concerning the pressures of chasing substantial targets. As play continues, all eyes will be on Sri Lanka’s response to this daunting challenge.
Original Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
