Proteas have bad day at the office
Sri Lanka could close in on history in PE
Sri Lanka took a tentative step towards creating history by producing an inspired performance with the ball on day one of the second Test against South Africa at St George’s Park yesterday.
Seamers Vishwa Fernando and Kasin Rajitha each took three wickets as South Africa laboured to 222 in their first innings.
At the close Sri Lanka‚ who are looking to become the first sub-continent side to win a series in South Africa‚ had nervously progressed to 60 for three with Lahiru Thirimanne (25) and Kusan Rajitha (0) not out overnight.
Proteas wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock made an impressive counter-attacking 86 off only 87 balls and opener Aiden Markram added 60.
But for the remainder of the South Africa top and middle order yesterday proved to be another disappointing day at the office.
It must be said South Africa did fight back with the ball to remove the three Lankan batsman and will no doubt hit the ground running on day two.
And as the old saying goes‚ don’t judge until both sides have batted.
However‚ the Proteas’ effort with bat will have disappointed their team management.
Popular opinion was that Durban was just one of instances that come around just once in a while where one man would play out of his socks and produce the innings of his life.
The pre-match talk from coach Ottis Gibson and skipper Faf du Plessis was that they had met as a squad and discussed making more runs in the first innings.
They were confident of turning the tables and decided to bat first after winning the toss.
It quickly became clear whose call was more justified when South Africa lost their first three wickets for only seven runs within the first half hour.
Left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando was on the button from the start. He set up Dean Elgar beautifully taking a series of deliveries away from Elgar before slipping one back at the left-hander who drove down the wrong line and was bowled.