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Tag: South Africa vs Sri Lanka

  • Sri Lanka takes command over South Africa with a solid batting display on Day 2 of the second Test

    Sri Lanka takes command over South Africa with a solid batting display on Day 2 of the second Test

    Sri Lanka ended Day 2 in a commanding position at 242/3 in 67 overs, reducing their deficit to just 116 runs. The foundation of their innings was laid by Pathum Nissanka, who played a composed knock of 89 off 157 balls, showcasing exceptional temperament and technique. His efforts were complemented by Dinesh Chandimal’s steady 44 off 97 deliveries, as the duo steered Sri Lanka’s reply after South Africa’s solid first innings.

    South Africa’s innings: Centuries by Ryan Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne

    On Day 1, South Africa rode on Ryan Rickelton’s brilliant century and Temba Bavuma’s gritty 78 off 109 balls to reach a competitive 269/7 by stumps. When play resumed on Day 2, overnight batters Kyle Verreynne and Keshav Maharaj stepped onto the field hoping to extend the total. However, Maharaj was sent back to the pavilion in the very first over without making a significant contribution.

    Despite the early setback, Verreynne partnered with Kagiso Rabada to forge a crucial 55-run partnership, steadying South Africa’s innings. Verreynne exhibited exceptional patience, bringing up his half-century in 95 balls, while Rabada supported him with a gritty approach. Their partnership took South Africa to 324/8 in 100 overs, but the stand was broken when Asitha Fernando dismissed Rabada.

    Even after Rabada’s departure, Verreynne stood tall, reaching a well-earned century in 132 deliveries, a knock that underlined his determination and skill. South Africa’s innings eventually concluded at 358 all out, with Dane Paterson falling as the last wicket. The total provided the hosts with a solid platform, but Sri Lanka’s response quickly shifted the momentum.

    Also READ: SA vs SL: Fans in awe as Kyle Verreynne smashes a spectacular hundred on Day 2 of the second Test

    Sri Lanka’s openers set the tone

    Sri Lanka’s openers, Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne, approached their innings with a cautious mindset, ensuring they did not lose early wickets. They carefully negotiated the six overs before lunch, reaching 19/0, still trailing by a daunting 339 runs.

    After lunch, the pitch at Gqeberha offered a mix of bounce and pace, challenging the batters. The Sri Lankan duo adopted a resolute defensive approach, scoring at a measured rate. However, Karunaratne broke the shackles with three crisp boundaries off Marco Jansen in the 12th and 14th overs, injecting momentum into the innings. Just as the partnership began to blossom, Kagiso Rabada struck, dismissing Karunaratne for 25 and giving South Africa their first breakthrough.

    Despite the setback, Nissanka and Chandimal joined forces to steady the ship. Their partnership blended caution with opportunistic stroke play, ensuring the scoreboard ticked along. By Tea, Sri Lanka had reached 103/1 in 33 overs, reducing the deficit significantly and positioning themselves for a strong finish to the day.

    Pathum Nissanka anchors the post-tea session

    The third session saw Nissanka showcasing his class, as he brought up his seventh Test half-century off 107 deliveries. Anchoring the innings, he formed a vital 109-run partnership with Dinesh Chandimal, which proved instrumental in Sri Lanka’s recovery. The pair displayed a perfect mix of aggression and caution, frustrating the South African bowlers with their ability to rotate the strike and capitalize on loose deliveries.

    Just when the partnership seemed unbreakable, Dane Paterson provided a much-needed breakthrough for the hosts, dismissing Chandimal for a well-made 44. Nissanka, however, continued to dictate terms, building another promising partnership with Angelo Mathews. Together, they guided Sri Lanka to 175/2 in 51 overs, trailing by 183 runs.

    Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis provide stability at stumps

    Nissanka’s innings came to an unfortunate end when he fell to Keshav Maharaj for a superb 89, attempting an ambitious shot that did not come off. His departure left Sri Lanka at 199/3, but the platform he had built ensured the visitors maintained control. As the day drew to a close, Mathews (37 not out) and Kamindu Mendis (21 not out) held fort, steering Sri Lanka to 242/3 at stumps. Their unbroken partnership added crucial runs, setting the stage for a strong Day 3. With the deficit reduced to just 116 runs and seven wickets in hand, Sri Lanka holds the upper hand in this Test match. The third day promises to be a critical juncture, with South Africa seeking early breakthroughs to wrest back control, while Sri Lanka will aim to build a first-innings lead to dictate terms in this fascinating contest.

    Also WATCH: SA vs SL – Lahiru Kumara picks his 100th Test wicket with an unplayable delivery to Aiden Markram



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  • Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs put South Africa on top against Sri Lanka on Day 3 of the Durban Test

    Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs put South Africa on top against Sri Lanka on Day 3 of the Durban Test

    South Africa stamped their authority on Day 3 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Kingsmead, Durban, setting an imposing target of 516 runs. The home side’s charge was powered by a stellar batting display from skipper Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs, who both notched centuries, and a devastating bowling performance by Marco Jansen, who claimed a remarkable seven-wicket haul in Sri Lanka’s first innings. At stumps, the visitors were struggling at 103/5, facing a monumental task to avoid an innings defeat. With over two days left to play, South Africa’s all-round dominance has left Sri Lanka on the brink.

    Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs build a towering lead

    After losing three early wickets in their second innings, South Africa looked in trouble, but Bavuma and Stubbs steadied the ship with an incredible 249-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Bavuma’s gritty 113 off 228 balls demonstrated immense patience and leadership, while Stubbs’ maiden Test century, a composed 122 off 221 deliveries, cemented South Africa’s commanding position. The duo blunted Sri Lanka’s bowling attack and methodically accumulated runs, frustrating the visitors. Their efforts allowed South Africa to declare at 366/5, setting a mammoth target of 516. This partnership showcased their class and ensured Sri Lanka had little chance of staging a comeback.

    Sri Lanka’s uphill battle in the chase

    Sri Lanka’s second innings started poorly, with the openers Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne falling early to Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetzee. The middle order showed brief resistance, with Dhananjaya de Silva fighting hard for an unbeaten 31 and Kusal Mendis trying to stabilize the innings. However, consistent pressure from South Africa’s bowlers ensured that wickets kept falling at regular intervals. By the end of Day 3, Sri Lanka were tottering at 103/5, still needing 413 runs for an unlikely victory. With two full days remaining, the visitors face an uphill battle to salvage the game and avoid a heavy defeat.

    Also READ: Twitter reactions: Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs light up Kingsmead with sensational centuries in first SA vs SL Test

    Marco Jansen’s devastating bowling spell for South Africa

    Earlier, Marco Jansen’s sensational bowling in Sri Lanka’s first innings was the highlight of the South Africa, as he tore through the batting lineup to finish with career-best figures of 7/13. His sharp pace and steepling bounce exploited the conditions perfectly, leaving the batters in disarray. Sri Lanka’s innings crumbled to a dismal 42 all out in just 13.5 overs, with only Kamindu Mendis managing a double-digit score (13). Jansen’s fiery spell not only secured a huge 149-run lead for South Africa but also sent a clear message about his prowess as a premier pacer. His performance set the tone for South Africa’s dominance in the match.

    Also READ: Top 10 shortest cricketers of all-time ft. Temba Bavuma



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  • ODI World Cup 2023: Twitter erupts as South Africa crush Sri Lanka by a massive margin

    ODI World Cup 2023: Twitter erupts as South Africa crush Sri Lanka by a massive margin

    In a thrilling encounter during Match 3 of the ICC Cricket ODI World Cup 2023, South Africa showcased their dominance with a commanding 102- run victory over Sri Lanka. The game played at the Arun Jaitley International Stadium in New Delhi, witnessed a high-scoring battle that kept cricket fans on the edge of their seats.

    South Africa’s strong start

    Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first, setting the stage for South Africa’s strong batting performance. Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram delivered standout centuries as the Proteas amassed a formidable 428/5. Notably, this total now stands as the highest team score in ODI World Cup history, reflecting the South Africa’s batting prowess.

    Sri Lanka’s challenging chase

    Chasing a monumental target, Sri Lanka faced an early setback as opener Pathum Nissanka departed for a duck. However, wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis showcased exceptional determination and resilience, contributing 76 runs before falling to the premier pacer Kagiso Rabada in the 13th over. Sri Lanka found themselves struggling at 150/5.

    Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka’s fighting partnership

    Despite the adversity, Charith Asalanka (79) and captain Dasun Shanaka (68) displayed unwavering resolve, stitching together a vital 82-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Their efforts gave Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope.

    Also READ: Bangladesh creates a unique record of two wins in international matches on the same day

    South Africa’s resolute bowling

    Nevertheless, the South African bowlers remained resolute. Lungi Ngidi eventually dismissed Asalanka, and soon after some time Shanaka too departed as it marked the eighth wicket falling. In the end, Sri Lanka fell short by 81 runs, highlighting South Africa’s well-rounded performance in both batting and bowling.

    Player of the match: Aiden Markram

    The Player of the Match award was rightly presented to Markram for his exceptional achievement of recording the fastest ODI hundred in World Cup history. Markram’s brilliant performance played a pivotal role in securing victory for the Proteas.

    Looking Ahead

    With this resounding victory, South Africa looks ahead to their upcoming fixtures in the tournament, aiming to build on this momentum and make a strong statement in the global showpiece event. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will seek to regroup and come back stronger in their upcoming matches, determined to leave a mark on the competition.

    Here’s how Twitter reacted:

    Also READ: From Zainab Abbas to Ridhima Patak: Meet the ICC Digital Insider team for ODI World Cup 2023



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