Pathum Nissanka scored 89 as Sri Lanka steadily put themselves in a strong position in their second Test against South Africa at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. At Stumps on the second day, the hosts led on 242 for three, reducing the deficit to 116 in the first innings.
Nissanka hit 11 fours and a six in his knock before Keshav Maharaj realised his wicket. After Dimuth Karunaratne departed for 20, Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal steadied the ship for Sri Lanka with a comfortable 109-run partnership for the second wicket.
Chandimal fell against Dane Paterson after a well-made 44 off 97 balls. After Nissanka departed, Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis saw out the remaining overs with a 43-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Mathews became the third Sri Lankan after Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene to reach 8000 Test runs.
Mendis did not disappoint either, scoring a quick 30 for 38. Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson and Maharaj took one wicket each. Marco Jansen, who was devastating in the opening Test, did not take a wicket with figures of 18-2-75-0. Aiden Markram also rolled his arms for four overs without any success.
Kyle Verreynne shines for South Africa Earlier, Kyle Verreynne scored his third Test hundred as South Africa put a decent score of 358 on the board in 103.4 overs. He scored 105 runs off 133 balls with 12 fours and three sixes. Rabada also added 23 vital runs further down the order.
For Sri Lanka, Lahiru Kumara was the best of the bowlers with four wickets to his credit. Vishwa Fernando and Asitha Fernando took two and three wickets respectively.
On the third day, the Sri Lankan batsmen would first try to outscore South Africa before thinking of speeding up.
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