Plays of the day
CATCH (1) - The flying Quinton de Kock, was back at it yesterday, repeating the same full-length dive to his left that accounted for Niroshan Dickwella in the first innings - when he threw himself in front of first slip to poach the catch with both hands. He did so again to end the innings of the right handed Kusal Mendis, to his left (down the leg side this time obviously) to grab a stunner.
CATCH (2) - The sprinting, diving Keshav Maharaj emerged. A top edge attempted pull from Minod Bhanuka, flew towards midwicket, Maharaj ran after it from his spot at mid-on and just when it looked like the ball had gotten away from him, he launched himself into a dive and took a very good catch. He also winded himself in the process.
POST DRINKS - On the first morning, the Sri Lankans slumped from 71/1 to 84/5 in four overs. Yesterday it was South Africa's turn, from 216/1 at the drinks break, they collapsed to 256/5 at lunch, in 12 overs. What's in the water?
THE FERNANDOS - Vishwa Fernando finished with the “five-for”, but it has also been a mightily impressive debut showing from 23-year-old rightarm seamer Asitha Fernando. He bustles into the crease, and gets the most out of a very easy action. His battle with Rassie van der Dussen was entertaining. Vishwa meanwhile has taken the most wickets by a Sri Lankan pace bowler in SA - 20 in only four Tests.
11 - Home Tests, since a SA opener, made a century, a run broken by Elgar's 127 yesterday. The last time a Proteas opener made a century on home soil, it was also at the Wanderers, by Aiden Markram against Australia, in March 2018. The highest score in between those centuries, was Elgar's 95 last week.