Day 2 of the second Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka sprung surprises one wouldn’t have imagined, given South Africa’s dominance in the first Test and Sri Lanka losing six players to injury, writes Aditya Mehta
INNINGS MOMENTS: DEAN ELGAR’S 13TH CENTURY
Day 2 of the second Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka sprung surprises one wouldn’t have imagined, given South Africa’s dominance in the first Test and Sri Lanka losing six players to injury.
After rolling Sri Lanka over for 157 in the first innings, South Africa began Day 2 on 148/1, with Dean Elgar batting on 92* and Rassie van der Dussen on 40*.
Circumspect as Elgar and van der Dussen were in the last session of play yesterday, they were prepared to score at a quicker rate today. In his media address at the end of Day 2, Elgar said, “You do go through periods where the ball does a bit. You have to adapt. You can’t bat in one gear all the time.”
Elgar reached his 13th Test century, while van der Russen scored his 4th half-century in six Test matches. Looking prepared to set Sri Lanka a significant lead after a 184-run partnership between Elgar and van der Dussen, Sri Lanka found the edge of Elgar’s bat, dismissing him for 127.
Rassie van der Dussen departed soon after for 67. Faf du Plessis (8), Quinton de Kock (10), Temba Bavuma (19), and Wiaan Mulder (7) were not able to capitalize on the foundation set by Elgar and van der Dussen. South Africa ended up with 302, losing nine wickets for 84 runs.
Despite South Africa having a 145-run lead, Sri Lanka had found a way back into this game. Elgar explained that with the pitch being covered overnight, there was a fair bit of moisture on the surface. Additionally, the pitch had deteriorated.
Combined with disciplined bowling from the Sri Lankans, batting wasn’t as easy as Elgar and van der Dussen showed it was.
“If you play yourself for a lengthy period of time, you trust your technique,” said Elgar. Therefore, confronting these challenges meant that incoming batsmen would struggle.
Elgar said: “From a mental point of view, maybe we were just relaxed. Maybe we don’t trust our technique to do it long enough.”
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan bowler, Vishva Fernando, who registered a five-for, said the Sri Lankans aimed to “cut down runs, build pressure.”
In the second innings, Lungi Ngidi found rhythm and claimed three wickets for 26 runs in nine overs. The Sri Lankan captain, Dimuth Karunaratne, led from the front with 91* (116), with useful contributions from Lahiru Thirimanne (31) and Niroshan Dickwella (18*).
Ending the day with 150/4, Sri Lanka now lead by 5 runs. Dean Elgar remains optimistic, “Hopefully, the wicket still has sideways movement tomorrow.” South Africa will look to bowl Sri Lanka out as early as possible and chase whatever Sri Lanka set them.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Watch our review of the day’s play:
