Sri Lanka finished Day 2 in a leadership position at 242/3 in 67 oversreducing their deficit to just 116 runs. The foundation of the pub was laid Nissanka Trailwho played a composed knock of 89 off 157 balls, displaying exceptional poise and technique. His efforts were supplemented by Dinesh Chandimal's a steady 44 off 97 deliveries, as the duo spearheaded Sri Lanka's reply after a strong first innings in South Africa.
South African innings: centuries by Ryan Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne
Onward Day 1South Africa rode on Ryan Rickeltonand great century and Buy Bavuma's gritty 78 off 109 balls to reach a contender 269/7 with stumps. When play resumed on Day 2, overnight bats Kyle Verreyne and Cheshav Maharaj step onto the field in hopes of extending the total. However, Maharaj was initially sent back to the pavilion without making a large donation.
Despite the early difficulty, Verreynne was in partnership with Kagiso Rabada to create a crucial 55-run partnership, sustaining the South African innings. Verreynne showed great patience, bringing up his half-century in 95 balls, and Rabada backed him up with a gritty approach. Their partnership took South Africa to 324/8 in 100 overs, but the stand was broken when We hate Fernando dismissal of Rabada.
Even after Rabada's departure, Verreynne stood tall, reaching a well-earned century in 132 deliveries, a knock that emphasized her determination and skill. South Africa's last innings ended at 358 all out, with Dan Paterson fall like the last straw. The total gave the hosts a strong platform, but Sri Lanka's reply quickly swung the momentum.
3️⃣rd Test hundred for Kyle Verreynne 👏🏏#Cricket #SAvSL # Kyle of Mourne pic.twitter.com/0Dk9hhuQRj
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 6, 2024
Read also: SA vs SL: Fans in awe as Kyle Verreynne smashes stunning hundred on Day 2 of second Test
Sri Lanka openers set the tone
Sri Lanka openers, Nissanka Trail and Dimuth Karunaratneapproaching the innings with a cautious mindset, making sure they didn't lose early wickets. They carefully arranged the six corners before lunch, arriving 19/0still trailing by a daunting 339 runs.
After lunch, the pitch at Gqeberha offered a mix of bounce and pace, challenging the batsmen. The Sri Lankan duo adopted a strong defensive approach, scoring at a measured rate. However, Karunaratne broke the shackles with three crisp boundaries off him Marco Jansen in the 12th and 14th overs, injecting momentum into the innings. Just as the coalition began to grow, Kagiso Rabada to hit, dismissing Karunaratne for 25 and giving South Africa their first breakthrough.
Despite the difficulties, Nissanka and Chandimal came together to keep the ship steady. Their partnership mixed caution with balanced stroke play, ensuring that the scoreboard ticked. By Tea, Sri Lanka had reached 103/1 in 33 overs, reducing the deficit significantly and setting themselves up for a strong finish to the day.
Patum Nissanka anchors the session after tea
In the third session Nissanka displayed his class, as he brought up his seventh Test half-century from 107 deliveries. Connecting the innings, he formed a crucial 109-run partnership with Dinesh Chandimalwhich was very important in the revival of Sri Lanka. The pair displayed a perfect blend of aggression and alertness, frustrating the South African bowlers with their ability to rotate the strike and take advantage of loose deliveries.
Just when the partnership seemed unbreakable, Dan Paterson he gave the hosts a big lead, dismissing Chandimal for a well-made 44. Angelo Mathews. Together, they guided Sri Lanka to 175/2 in 51 overs, trailing by 183 runs.
Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis provide stability at stumps
Nissanka's innings came to an unfortunate end when he fell Cheshav Maharaj for a superb 89, attempting an ambitious shot that failed. He left Sri Lanka at his post 199/3but the platform he built ensured that the visitors would dominate. As the day ended, Mathews (37 not out) and President Mendis (21 not out) holds fort, leading Sri Lanka to 242/3 at stumps. Their unbroken partnership added crucial runs, setting the stage for a strong Day 3. With the deficit reduced to just 116 runs and seven wickets in hand, Sri Lanka hold the upper hand in their ' this test game. The third day promises to be a critical one, with South Africa looking for early breakthroughs to regain control, while Sri Lanka will aim to build a first-innings lead to dictate terms in the tournament. this is interesting.
Day 2 | stumps 🟢🟡
Another exciting day of test match cricket!🏏
Verreynne's era started the day with a few wickets taken in the last 2 sessions of play.🇿🇦 South Africa: 358/10 (1st Innings)
🇱🇰Sri Lanka: 242/3 (1st innings)Sri Lanka trail by 116 runs going into Day 3.… pic.twitter.com/kvlZpvam3Q
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 6, 2024
