Temba Bavuma and Faf du Plessis strung together an excellent 97-run partnership to take the Proteas within 79 runs of Sri Lanka’s first innings total by the end of Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test in Centurion, writes Khalid Mohidin.
The final session saw the Proteas suffer a mini collapse, losing both Rassie van der Dussen and Dean Elgar in quick succession.
SESSION MOMENTS: SMART, AGGRESSIVE CRICKET BY DEAN ELGAR
You could say it was down to lapses of concentration because both batsmen strayed from the gameplan – to resist the temptation of playing at balls that pitched in that dangerous 4th/5th stump area.
Despite the loose on drive that Elgar played to go out – caught and bowled by Dasun Shanaka on 95 (16 fours).
The Proteas went from 141-1 to 220-4. Quinton de Kock handed Wanindu Hasaranga a maiden Test wicket when he edged a scrumptious top-spinner to slip for 18 off 11 balls.
Quinton de Kock is the first player to captain, keep wicket and bat in the top 5 of the order in a Test for South Africa since Jock Cameron (who batted at 3) v NZ at Wellington in 1932.— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) December 27, 2020
Temba Bavuma (41 off 79 balls) and Faf du Plessis (55 off 81 balls) needed to save the Proteas innings with a crucial partnership. They delivered.
The pair scored a 97-run partnership and trail Sri Lanka by 79.
Watch our review show after the day’s play:
