South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test Day 1: Highlights from Durban

That ends a pretty one-sided contest from Durban. South Africa were always the favourites but given the confidence Sri Lanka have been blooming with in the past few months, we expected much better. The second Test is not far away, scheduled on Thursday, in Gqeberha and rest assured, there is going to be no letup in terms of a green deck. The Lankans have been decent with the ball, but need to find a way to bat better and longer. Both teams still have a decent chance to make it to the World Test Championship final with the Proteas now in SECOND PLACE and will be eager to strike the right chord in the second Test. The first ball will be bowled at 8 am GMT on Thursday, 5th December, 2024, in that game but our buildup will begin much earlier. Do join us early then. But before that, there is cricketing action to be followed from New Zealand, in the NZ-Eng Test, also from West Indies, in the WI-Ban Test and also the Zimbabwe-Pakistan T20Is. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

TEMBA BAVUMA, South Africa's victorious skipper, is up for a chat now. Bavuma says he is very happy and it is always nice to start the series with a win. Talks about the tough position they were in on Day 1 but mentions that they believed that they could get out of it and just wanted to put in a partnership. Adds that they assessed that the conditions were favouring seamers and they knew they could exploit them seeing how Sri Lanka bowled. Says that batting was a bit tricky and the intent needed to be there to score and find the odd boundaries. Further mentions that they knew they would have to toil hard to find those last 5 wickets on Day 4 but adds that the way the bowlers did it was great, especially without Mulder. Mentions that they will have to find a replacement for Mulder and the medical team will assess Coetzee. On WTC, he says there have been conversations around it but they haven't kept it too loud and are focusing on how they perform as a team and then let things take care of themselves.

DHANANJAYA DE SILVA, Sri Lanka's captain, admits that the game was lost in their first innings with the bat, putting water over their bowling efforts in the first innings. On the team's mindset after that batting debacle, de Silva plays all around the question, citing that they need to get better. Says that the initial plan was to at least get to 140-150 in the first innings, but it did not happen. Praises Marco Jansen who just did not allow them to breathe. However, the skipper does not want to look too much into the loss and says that it is just one batting debacle. On being asked about what he was asking when he was batting, de Silva says that he was just looking to bat through Day 4.

MARCO JANSEN HAS BEEN NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH FOR HIS MATCH FIGURES OF 11/86. Jansen says he had always dreamt of taking 5 wickets but to take 10 is a very special feeling and any bowler's dream. Adds that it all sunk in on Friday night and is very glad about how it all panned out. Mentions that the pitch was flatter in the second inning and the ball was doing something every now and then. Concludes that he went through a training and conditioning period and is now enjoying his cricket with a fresh mind.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Talking about the bowlers, the lanky man stands out tall. Marco Jansen. He blew away the Lankans in their first innings, taking 7 wickets in 41 balls, that means a wicket in roughly every 6 balls! And in the second dig, he finished with 4 wickets, to grab 11 for the match. Kagiso Rabada was decent but bowled way too many no balls. Gerald Coetzee was a big problem, as he leaked way too many runs. From a Sri Lankan perspective, despite the heavy loss, one has to laud the fighting spirit of the three seamers - Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando ​​​and ​Lahiru Kumara. The two Fernandos were nipping the ball beautifully early on while Kumara hit the deck hard throughout. Bores well for Sri Lanka's future. Please stay tuned for the presentation...

Let's give the tourists an applause for showing at least some fight on Saturday. Many thought that it was a matter of a wicket and they would capitulate but Chandimal, skipper Dhananjaya and Kusal Mendis made the Proteas stretch. Eventually, they did fall off towards the end, slipping from 271/6 to 282 all out, but had this type of a scorecard come in the first innings, this match could have been in the balance. Nevertheless, the Lankans have got some batting practice ahead of the second Test.

The verdict was out early with Sri Lanka staring at a target of 516. They lost two quickly too, but then Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal fought hard. This was amidst a hostile spell by Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada, where Chandimal took a lot of blows as well. However, with the fading light and the seamers being allowed to bowl, the Lankans fell prey to that dangerous bowling as they slipped from 82/2 to 101/5. And come Day 4, it was just a matter of when. 

After such a horror show in a matter of 70-odd minutes, the visitors found it very tough to lift themselves up. The pitch had seemingly gotten better and though they picked up 3 wickets seemingly quickly, they were given a practical examination on how to bat in difficult conditions by Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs. More so, Stubbs, because normally known as a T20 specialist, he had made the world known that he is eager to do well in Tests after the disappointment in Bangladesh. It was a real grind as both batters were supreme in their concentration levels and the Lankans threw in the towel.

Was the pitch unplayable? Difficult, yes. But not unplayable. Remember, South Africa were 117/7 in the first innings. But Temba Bavuma rallied his lower order around to get to 191, a much decent score. When Sri Lanka came to bat, either they were way too happy with their bowlers and thought that 191 was an underpar score, or had just not factored the change in pitches from Dambulla to Durban. Feet were nowhere near the ball, too many shots were played away from the body and there was simply no patience. Result? Before you could blink, South Africa were batting again.

Talk about 46 all out in Bengaluru. Or 42 all out in Durban. You fall so far behind in the game, that even if you fight hard in the next innings, water has already flown under the bridge. The 46 all out refers to India against New Zealand earlier this year, which also saw them post 462 in the second innings. But did not help. Similarly, here, if you look in isolation, 282 by Sri Lanka is a commendable effort with the bat in the 4th innings. But that 42 all out in their first innings pushed them so far back, that all chances of coming back seemed next to impossible.

There is always a first. Before this game, South Africa had never defeated Sri Lanka in a Test match in Durban. It has happened now. They are pumped up and their dream of reaching the World Test Championship final is still alive.

79.4: Marco Jansen to Asitha Fernando, OUT! TIMBER! What a fitting finish to the game and who better to cap it off than Marco Jansen! Charges in from around the wicket and hits the perfect length, with the angle coming into the batter, on middle and leg, Asitha Fernando takes a few steps back to his leg side and looks to keep it out but the ball zips past his bat and sends the leg stump flying. South Africa win by 233 runs! Marco Jansen finishes with 4 wickets in this inning and 11 in total in this game. 

79.3: Marco Jansen to Asitha Fernando, Hits the deck hard, on a back of a length, outside off, Asitha Fernando looks to reach for it but misses.

79.2: Marco Jansen to Asitha Fernando, Short of a length, on middle and leg, Asitha Fernando backs a long way down leg and just about manages to push it out. 

79.1: Marco Jansen to Lahiru Kumara, On a length, on middle and leg, Lahiru Kumara looks to work it around but misses. The ball deflects off his thigh pad and rolls to short fine leg for a single. It's called a leg bye!

78.6: Keshav Maharaj to Asitha Fernando, Full on middle, Asitha Fernando gets his bat ahead and blocks.

78.5: Keshav Maharaj to Asitha Fernando, A bit short and on off, Asitha Fernando gets low and swats it hard to long off.

78.4: Keshav Maharaj to Asitha Fernando, Full, on middle, blocked by Asitha Fernando.

78.3: Keshav Maharaj to Lahiru Kumara, In the air, but falls short. A valiant effort from Temba Bavuma! This is slightly short and on off, Lahiru Kumara looks for a big slog sweep but fails to get the timing right. Skews it very high in the air and well behind mid-wicket. Bavuma swivels behind and tries to go for the catch, but the wind takes it further away and despite a dive he only manages to get fingertips on it. The batters cross.

78.2: Keshav Maharaj to Lahiru Kumara, Full and on middle, Lahiru Kumara blocks.

78.1: Keshav Maharaj to Lahiru Kumara, FOUR! Nicely done! Lahiru Kumara is certain to express himself now. This is flighted full, on off, Kumara dances down the track and slices it over cover for a boundary. 

77.6: Marco Jansen to Asitha Fernando, Good length, over middle, Asitha Fernando manages to keep it out.

77.5: Marco Jansen to Asitha Fernando, On a length, outside off, Asitha Fernando leaves it alone.

Asitha Fernando is the last man in, replacing Kusal Mendis.

77.4: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! There goes the wicket of Mendis and Marco Jansen is thrilled to bits! Gets his 10th wicket in this game. Exceptional bowling! Steams in and hits the back of a length, just outside off. Kusal Mendis hops back and looks to punch it away on the off side. The ball shapes away just a bit to go past and take the outside edge on its way. Kyle Verreynne takes a very straightforward catch and Sri Lanka lose thir 9th. South Africa need 1 more wicket to win while Sri Lanka are 240 runs away.

77.3: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, Short of a length, outside off, Kusal Mendis slices it to deep backward point.

77.2: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, Angling into the pads, on a length, Kusal Mendis looks to turn it around but misses. The ball goes to fine leg off his pads but they do not take the run. Not sure how long they would hang on like this with the target still 240 runs away.

77.1: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, Back of a length, on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis pulls it to fine leg but takes no run. 

76.6: Keshav Maharaj to Lahiru Kumara, Full and on off, Lahiru Kumara pushes it out on the off side.

76.5: Keshav Maharaj to Lahiru Kumara, Pitched up, on middle and off, Lahiru Kumara taps it past silly point but they decide not to take the run, again!

76.4: Keshav Maharaj to Lahiru Kumara, At the stumps, on a fuller length, Lahiru Kumara blocks it with a slightly angled bat face. Steers it past slip to his left. They do not take the single though.

76.3: Keshav Maharaj to Lahiru Kumara, Slows it up and keeps it fuller, on off, Lahiru Kumara gets ahead very late and blocks.

76.2: Keshav Maharaj to Lahiru Kumara, Short and turning in, from around off, Lahiru Kumara waits back and dead bats it down the deck.

76.1: Keshav Maharaj to Lahiru Kumara, Tossed up, on middle and off, Lahiru Kumara keeps it out.

Having seen the Lankans capitulate against pace here, one won't be surprised to see another fresh green track at Gqeberha. The only thing South Africa need to ponder is - do they pick a seamer and play a batter short? Or do they pick a batter and rely on these three quicks? Sri Lanka, on the other hand, need to find a way to play Milan Rathnayake. He was excellent in England and will be of use in Gqeberha as well.

75.6: Gerald Coetzee to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! How good is that shot? He moves to 48 now! Back of a length, on off, Kusal Mendis waits back and hops a bit. Makes contact with the ball very late, closer to his body and dabs it out through the gap at slip for a boundary. 

75.5: Gerald Coetzee to Kusal Mendis, Short of a length, outside off, Kusal Mendis reaches for it and cuts it on the bounce to gully.

75.4: Gerald Coetzee to Kusal Mendis, On a length, on middle, Kusal Mendis turns it around to deep square leg but doesn't take the run. 

75.3: Gerald Coetzee to Kusal Mendis, Good length, on off, Kusal Mendis gets behind the line and keeps it down the deck.

75.2: Gerald Coetzee to Kusal Mendis, Beautifully bowled! Angles it in, and gets it to nip away off the deck, on a length, around off, Kusal Mendis is beaten on the outside edge. 

75.1: Gerald Coetzee to Kusal Mendis, Goes full and on off, Kusal Mendis drives it to mid on. 

74.6: Keshav Maharaj to Lahiru Kumara, Fuller, around off, smothered away to the off side.

74.5: Keshav Maharaj to Lahiru Kumara, On middle and leg again, pushed down the track.

74.4: Keshav Maharaj to Lahiru Kumara, Around middle and leg, nudged to the leg side.

74.3: Keshav Maharaj to Lahiru Kumara, Plenty of flight outside off, very full, Kumara thinks about the drive but does not get sucked into it. Lets it be.

74.2: Keshav Maharaj to Lahiru Kumara, Full, around middle, Lahiru Kumara defends.

Lahiru Kumara walks in at number 10, replacing Vishwa Fernando.

74.1: Keshav Maharaj to Vishwa Fernando, OUT! CAUGHT! One brings two! Maharaj has his second. He has had to work very hard for this. Maharaj flights this one outside off and Vishwa Fernando lunges very hard at it. Not quite advisable on this wicket but then, he is not a top-order batter, is he? Gets a thick outside edge which goes quickly to Aiden Markram at slip who makes no mistake. Vishwa departs for 1 and Sri Lanka are 272/8 now, chasing 516. On the brink. Keshav's father is sitting in the stands and is elated to see his son get success.

73.6: Gerald Coetzee to Vishwa Fernando, On middle and off, Fernando hops and works it through mid-wicket for a single. 12-0-63-2 are the figures for Gerald Coetzee now.

73.5: Gerald Coetzee to Vishwa Fernando, A short ball, around off, Vishwa sways away.

73.4: Gerald Coetzee to Vishwa Fernando, Fuller, around middle and leg, Vishwa Fernando looks to defend but gets hit on the pads.

73.3: Gerald Coetzee to Vishwa Fernando, On a yorker length, around middle, dug out towards mid on.

Vishwa Fernando walks in at number 9, replacing Dinesh Chandimal.

73.2: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! South Africa find that breakthrough before the second new ball. Not the best of deliveries to be honest, but they will not care. Gerald Coetzee bowls it on a length, down the leg side and Dinesh Chandimal immediately looks to flick. But the ball holds on the surface a touch and the bat face gets closed early. As a result, a leading edge is induced and the ball goes straight back to Coetzee, who finally gets his second wicket. Does the 'Karate kid' celebration and is pumped now. Chandimal departs for a magnificent 83 and the Africans can sense a quick finish now. 3 wickets away from victory. Sri Lanka are 271/7, chasing 516.

73.1: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, FOUR BYES! When the rub of the green goes your way, you see a lot of greenery in your way. Nothing was going for Sri Lanka on Friday but in a day, plenty has changed. Coetzee sprays this down the leg side, fuller in length and it is so far down the leg side that Chandimal cannot get bat on ball. The poor keeper dives to his left but cannot get there either.

72.6: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Almost a similar delivery, Mendis lunges to push the ball towards cover.

72.5: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Floated through the air, not much pace, Kusal lunges to block.

72.4: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Around middle and off, watchfully defended by Kusal Mendis.

72.3: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, On middle and leg, Chandimal works it with soft hands towards mid-wicket and takes a quick single. 249 more to win now.

72.2: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Outside off, cut straight to point.

72.1: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Full, around off, Dinesh Chandimal defends.

One important thing, as mentioned by the on-air commentators during the Pakistan-England Test series earlier this year, players have stopped or forgotten to shine the old ball. As a result, there is not much sign of reverse swing, a potent weapon in the earlier days, when the ball used to get old.

71.6: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Around off, worked through mid on for a single. The stand is worth 70 now.

71.5: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, FOUR! WHAM! Is that the first attacking shot from Chandimal today? Certainly, in my memory. Short and wide outside off, Chandimal slaps it through point and moves to 81!

71.4: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Slightly short of full, Chandimal looks to drive but the ball suddenly rears up after pitching. Takes the bottom edge and dies down on the pitch.

71.3: Gerald Coetzee to Kusal Mendis, On a good length, around off, moving away, Kusal Mendis taps it towards point and scampers through for a run.

71.2: Gerald Coetzee to Kusal Mendis, Outside off, watchfully defended.

71.1: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Short and wide outside off, Dinesh Chandimal almost falls into the trap. He lashes a cut shot but does not keep it down. Nearly holes down the throat of Keshav Maharaj at deep point. A single taken.

This has become a trend now in many countries. The ball does something for the first 40 overs and then does absolutely nothing for the next 40. Players then just keep waiting for the ball to be changed. That's when batting gets easier. Maybe, England might be an exception, due to the conditions and the Dukes ball. Here is Gerald Coetzee now. 10-0-55-1 so far.

70.6: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Another forward defense on offer.

70.5: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, No flight, pretty flat, outside off, blocked out.

70.4: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Full, around off, watchfully defended down the track.

70.3: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, FOUR MORE! Full and straight, Kusal gets down and sweeps it through fine leg for consecutive boundaries! Mendis moves to 43, in a stand of 63. 257 more needed now.

70.2: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Another boundary! Well, whatever Sri Lanka had for lunch, it is surely digesting well. They have just been scoring boundaries post Lunch, primarily. Full, flighted, around off, Kusal comes down the track and lofts it over the bowler, beating mid off! 

70.1: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Floated around off, Kusal Mendis lunges to defend.

69.6: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, A bit fuller in length and angling into leg, Dinesh Chandimal is late to flick and gets hit on the pad.

69.5: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, Good length, angling into the pads, Mendis turns it around towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

69.4: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, Fires it in, full and at the stumps, Kusal Mendis covers the line and offers a solid block.

69.3: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, Overpitched, outside off, Mendis drives it straight to mid off.

69.2: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, Outside off, a fraction wider, Kusal leaves it alone.

69.1: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! 4 boundaries in the last 7 balls from Jansen! Perfect time to bat for Sri Lanka. The ball has got pretty old and the pitch is still good to bat. And seems like the Proteas are just waiting for the ball to be changed. Jansen bowls it on a length, outside off, Kusal Mendis stands tall, opens the face of his bat and guides it behind point. 250 UP FOR SRI LANKA! 266 more needed now.

68.6: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Flighted full, on off, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it to cover.

68.5: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, 50-run stand comes up between these two! A bit more flight and on off, Kusal Mendis drives it to long off for a single.

68.4: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Full, on off, Kusal Mendis makes a block towards point.

68.3: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Flatter, around off, Kusal defends watchfully.

68.2: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Fuller, around middle, driven back to the bowler.

68.1: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Flighted, around middle, Kusal Mendis defends.

67.6: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, FOUR! There's no way that can be stopped! Similar line and length and a similar shot, this time from Chandimal! On a back of a length, on off, Dinesh Chandimal punches it square on the off side for a boundary. 

67.5: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, Beautiful shot and an even better effort from Stubbs in the field! On a back of a length, on off, Kusal Mendis rocks back and punches it very late through the gap at gully. Tristan Stubbs chases the ball from slips and slides ahead to push it back in. Saves a run.

67.4: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, Hits the surface, on a good length, around off and gets it to shape away off the deck Kusal Mendis stays inside the line and looks to block but the ball goes past the outside edge.

67.3: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, FOUR MORE! Second in the over. Overpitched from Jansen, around middle, Mendis drives this through mid on. There is no one present and the ball races to the fence. The stand moves to 42 now. 278 more needed to win.

67.2: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, Outside off, fuller in length, left alone.

67.1: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Overpitched, on middle, Kusal Mendis leans and flicks it through mid-wicket and gets a boundary.

66.6: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Full, just around off, turning away, Dinesh Chandimal leans ahead and taps it to short cover.

66.5: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Tossed up, on middle and off, Dinesh Chandimal blocks.

66.4: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Lands it nicely on a nagging length, just outside off, this one skids through but Chandimal does well to cut it to point.

66.3: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Landed outside off, punched towards cover.

66.2: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Similar ball, Dinesh Chandimal looks to drive inside out but cannot beat Temba Bavuma at short extra cover.

66.1: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Floated, around off, Kusal Mendis leans and drives it through mid off for a single.

One of the reasons for more indifferent bounce today thus far has been the deterioration of the pitch. Compared to Days 2 and Days 3, there are a few more spots and some cracks are opening up. If the sun continues to shine as brightly, with the temperatures as high as 27 degrees Celsius, one can expect those cracks to widen even further.

65.6: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Digs it in short and over leg, Dinesh Chandimal ducks under. 

65.5: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, Very full, at the stumps, Kusal Mendis gets low and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

65.4: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, Outside off, on a length, Kusal Mendis lets it go past. 

65.3: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, Landed outside off, a touch wide, shouldered arms to.

65.2: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Nice drive. Fuller, outside off, Chandimal leans and drives it through the covers. Keshav Maharaj has to do all the running from cover-point but manages to get to the ball near the ropes. Three runs taken. Moves to 72, does Chandimal. The partnership is worth 32 now. Sri Lanka need another 288 runs.

65.1: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, On a good length, outside off, coming back in, Dinesh Chandimal hops and defends it towards covers.

64.6: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Flighted, on off, trying to tempt the batter to drive but Mendis is happy to block.

64.5: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Slows it up and keeps it nice and full, at the stumps, Kusal Mendis leans on and pushes it out.

64.4: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Full again, on off, Kusal Mendis blocks.

64.3: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Flatter and fuller, on middle and off, Kusal Mendis stays deep in the crease and taps it down the deck. 

64.2: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Floated full, on off, Kusal Mendis makes a block.

64.1: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Tossed up, on off, Kusal Mendis cuts it to cover. 

The camera pans on Tristan Stubbs who is seen yawning. Can happen, when you are just waiting in the field, for something to happen. Also, it might have been due to a heavy lunch.

Who will bowl from the other end? Keshav Maharaj it shall be. 16-2-51-1 so far.

63.6: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Goes fuller and outside off, Dinesh Chandimal looks to drive it on the full but misses. The ball goes past the outside edge.

63.5: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, Angling into middle and leg, Kusal Mendis looks to tuck it across but misses. The ball clips his thigh pad and rolls behind to fine leg for a single. Called Leg bye!

63.4: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Nicely done! Short of a length, outside off, Kusal Mendis goes back and opens the bat face to steer it through the vacant gully region for a boundary.

63.3: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, On a good length, well outside off, Kusal Mendis gets closer to the line and holds his bat high up, making a leave. 

63.2: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, Full and on off, Kusal Mendis eases it out to mid off.

63.1: Marco Jansen to Kusal Mendis, Starts from around the wicket and lands it on a good length, outside off, Kusal Mendis makes a leave first up.

We’re back for the afternoon session! The umpires are out in the middle, followed by Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal, ready to extend their partnership and fight for a big stand. The Proteas spread across the field and it will be Marco Jansen (16-4-45-2) to start the proceedings this session. Away we go!

... DAY 4, SESSION 2 ...

Kusal Mendis joined Chandimal, and the pair steadied the innings with a 24-run stand to see through to Lunch. With a monumental task ahead, they’ll need to continue digging in and building this partnership. The second new ball, now just 17 overs away, promises tougher challenges later in the day, making it crucial for both batters to head into that phase with confidence and momentum. The Proteas, however, will be eager to break this stand early. They will know that one wicket could expose the tail and open up one end, and they’ll be targeting exactly that as they return. The second session is scheduled to resume at 10.25 am GMT!

There were several close calls, especially off Rabada, with the ball evading both the edges narrowly and edges falling short of the fielders. After a luckless Day 3, fortune seemed to finally favour Sri Lanka. Chandimal held one end with steely resolve, while de Silva counterattacked effectively, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Both batters reached well-earned half centuries, leaving the Proteas looking increasingly frustrated to find a breakthrough. However, just as the partnership threatened, de Silva gifted his wicket to Maharaj, ending a gritty 95-run stand.

While the Proteas remain firmly in control of the game, they weren’t at their sharpest with the ball to begin the day. The decision to open with Coetzee alongside Rabada didn’t pay off for the hosts. Rabada was disciplined and probing, but Coetzee’s wayward lines released the pressure, allowing Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva to settle back in. By the time Marco Jansen was brought into the attack, the pair had weathered the tricky first half hour and found some rhythm.

SESSION SUMMARY - 32 Overs, 117 Runs and 1 Wicket! Despite losing a key wicket, this session belonged to the visitors, who displayed grit and determination right from the start of the day's play. After two difficult days where nothing seemed to go their way, they’ve finally found a foothold and something to build on.

62.6: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Very full, around middle, Dinesh Chandimal keeps it out. LUNCH ON DAY 4, SRI LANKA ARE 220/6, CHASING 516!

62.5: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Thrown up, outside off, Mendis drives it past cover for a run.

62.4: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, A touch short, outside off, Kusal punches it towards cover. 

62.3: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Flatter, around middle, well defended.

62.2: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Full, around middle, Kusal Mendis defends.

62.1: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Around off, pushed towards long on for a single.

61.6: Kagiso Rabada to Kusal Mendis, A bit too straight, Mendis plays that well off his hip, tucking it through square leg. Charges back for the second. Excellent running. 298 more to win now.

61.5: Kagiso Rabada to Kusal Mendis, On a good length, outside off, Kusal takes his bat away from the line.

61.4: Kagiso Rabada to Kusal Mendis, A bouncer, around off, Kusal Mendis ducks.

61.3: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Down the leg side, Dinesh tucks it towards fine leg for a single.

61.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Outside off, on a length, Chandimal steers it behind point where Marco Jansen dives to his right and fields it well.

61.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, And now, ANOTHER NO BALL! Rabada oversteps again. Around off, well defended.

61.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Outside off, on a length, Chandimal looks to defend but the ball rears up suddenly. Pats it down the track.

Should be the last over before Lunch. At least, for Rabada.

61.1: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Fuller, around off, Dinesh Chandimal looks to defend but the feet go nowhere. Gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. Oh dear. ANOTHER NO BALL. Called by the third umpire. For overstepping.

60.6: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Very well played. Short and quick outside off, Kusal Mendis quickly goes back, opens the face of his bat and guides it to the left of Gerald Coetzee at backward point.

60.5: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Slower, around middle and leg, KM gets a good stride in to defend.

60.4: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Quicker, outside off, holds its line, Kusal lets it go.

60.3: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Around off, pushed to the off side.

60.2: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis lunges to defend. There is a big shout for LBW from Kyle Verreynne but Maharaj is not interested. 'What's wrong?' asks Verreynne. Maharaj indicates that it was going down the leg side.

60.1: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Fuller, around middle, Dinesh Chandimal drives it towards long off for a single.

59.6: Kagiso Rabada to Kusal Mendis, And again. Another play and a miss. Fuller length, outside off, Kusal tries to keep his bat inside the line but is beaten by the late away movement. Consecutive maidens.

59.5: Kagiso Rabada to Kusal Mendis, Beauty. Similar to the previous ball and this time, Mendis plays at it. The ball lands but then moves away off the seam, to beat the outside edge.

59.4: Kagiso Rabada to Kusal Mendis, Ahhh... fuller, outside off, KM comes forward, thinks about playing at that, but at the last moment, takes his bat away. Just in the nick of time.

59.3: Kagiso Rabada to Kusal Mendis, Down the leg side this time, Mendis hops across and looks to tuck it away but misses. The ball does not carry to his counterpart.

59.2: Kagiso Rabada to Kusal Mendis, Fuller, outside off, Kusal shoulders his arms.

59.1: Kagiso Rabada to Kusal Mendis, On a good length, outside off, Kusal Mendis dabs it towards cover.

58.6: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Very full, around middle, pushed towards mid on.

58.5: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, The arm ball, around middle, DC is squared up but manages to keep it out.

58.4: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Full, on middle, Dinesh works it towards short mid-wicket.

58.3: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Around off, pushed towards cover.

58.2: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Beautifully bowled. Maharaj tosses this one up, outside off and Chandimal comes forward to defend. But the ball then pitches, grips and turns away, beating the outside edge. Kyle Verreynne whips the bails off and appeals for a stumping, but Chandimal never left the crease.

58.1: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Full, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal reaches out and pushes the ball towards cover.

57.6: Kagiso Rabada to Kusal Mendis, Around off, well defended.

57.5: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, A length ball, down the leg side, DC looks to tuck it away but misses. Is hit and Rabada goes up in a huge appeal for LBW. He is the only one appealing and for a reason. One could see all the three stumps when the ball hit the pads. Rabada looks for support from his keeper but gets none. The ball dribbles towards fine leg and a leg bye is taken.

57.4: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Fuller, around off, Dinesh gets across to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

57.4: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Nips back in sharply, from a length outside off, Chandimal hops again and looks to tuck it away but misses and is hit on the pads. Oh dear. NO BALL signalled, after information from the third umpire. Another overstep from Rabada. His 8th.

57.3: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Good length, outside of, moving away. Dinesh Chandimal hops and pushes it towards mid on.

57.2: Kagiso Rabada to Kusal Mendis, Short, around off, Kusal swivels and pulls it nicely through mid-wicket for a single.

57.1: Kagiso Rabada to Kusal Mendis, On a good length, around off, Kusal Mendis defends.

56.6: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Around middle and off, well blocked out.

56.5: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Around middle and leg, nudged towards short mid-wicket.

56.4: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, FOUR! Not convincing at all. Tossed up, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal looks to go through the covers but the ball drifts in, takes the inner half of the bat and lobs just over the bowler. Runs down to the long off fence.

56.3: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Full, outside off, driven towards mid on.

56.2: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Around off, punched towards point.

56.1: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Outside off, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it towards cover, sets off for a single, but gets sent back this time! Second piece of miscommunication in two balls!

55.6: Kagiso Rabada to Kusal Mendis, Mix up, mixup, SAFE! My word. What was Kusal Mendis thinking there? He apologizes to his partner now. That would have been the mother of all Christmas gifts. Outside off, Mendis tapped it to the left of mid off and set off like a hare, without calling, for the single. Dinesh Chandimal was never interested in that single and for a reason. It was Temba Bavuma out there. The Protea skipper swooped onto the ball like a hawk and fired a direct hit at the striker's end. He missed but Kyle Verreynne collected it and hit the stumps. Luckily for Sri Lanka, Mendis was home, after being sent back.

55.5: Kagiso Rabada to Kusal Mendis, Around middle and leg, Kusal nudges it to the leg side.

55.4: Kagiso Rabada to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Not a bad start to your innings. On a good length, outside off, Kusal Mendis gets across and just punches it through cover-point for a boundary. Exquisite timing! 200 UP FOR SRI LANKA! 315 more needed.

55.3: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Around offf, worked through mid-wicket for a single. 319 more needed now.

55.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, On a good length, outside off, nipping back in, Chandimal looks to tuck it away but misses. The ball hits his pads and goes to the keeper. There are appeals for both, LBW and caught behind, but get neither.

55.1: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, A sharp short ball, around off. Dinesh Chandimal takes his eyes off the ball and does something between ducking and pulling. Does both eventually, with his eyes closed and somehow, fends it to the leg side.

54.6: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Fuller now, around off, Kusal Mendis gets a good stride to block. 12-1-40-1 are the figures for Keshav Maharaj.

54.5: Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis, Around off, nudged to the leg side.

Kusal Mendis walks in at number 8, replacing his skipper, Dhananjaya de Silva. The last ray of hope for the Lankans.

54.4: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, OUT! CAUGHT! That is just a gift. What a soft, soft dismissal. The Lankan skipper will be gutted. He has done all the hard work and then just given it away on a platter, like a Christmas gift. Change of pace did the trick. Keshav Maharaj just slowed this through the air, and landed just a bit short around off. Dhananjaya de Silva just looked to tuck it through the leg side but played just that tad early. Instead of working it through square leg, he ended up chipping it straight to Tristan Stubbs at short mid-wicket. The Lankan skipper just stands there in disbelief, before trudging off. Departs for a well made 59 (81) and the 95-run stand is broken. Sri Lanka are 196/6 and need another 320 runs.

54.3: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Very slow through the air, delivered with a bit of round arm, Dhananjaya de Silva defends watchfully.

54.2: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Around middle, Chandimal pushes it towards long on for a single.

54.1: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Full, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal defends it to the off side.

Talking about body language, perhaps for the first time in this match, everyone looks relaxed in the Lankan dressing room. Maybe, there is a sense of belief. Not necessarily about a win, but at least a fight. On the same note, South Africa might be feeling a bit frustrated. Guess the best thing for them to do, with Lunch not too far ahead, is increase the slip cordon. You can afford to consider a few boundaries in front of the wicket with so many runs in the bag but not behind.

53.6: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, Outside off, on a length, moving away, de Silva opens the face of his bat and guides it straight to slip.

53.5: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, Now that hits one of the cracks. It lands on a length and then jags back sharply, bouncing high too. Dhananjaya de Silva hops and manages to keep it down.

53.4: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, A bit too straight, DC works it towards fine leg for a single. Moves to 60.

53.3: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, A bouncer, but down the leg side, Dinesh ducks.

53.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Landed outside off, Chandimal almost played that as an afterthought. Maybe he was thinking to play and then leave or vice versa. The ball went off the toe end of the bat towards cover.

53.1: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, On a good length, around off, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it towards mid on.

Mini discussion. A long chat goes on between three South African players, not sure who, because the camera did not pan on them. After all that, we see Kagiso Rabada been given the ball. 16-2-52-2 so far.

52.6: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Full, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva blocks it with soft hands.

52.5: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, A tad bit short and outside off, Dinesh Chandimal cuts it to cover-point and squeezes in a quick single.

52.4: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Floated full, on middle, Dinesh Chandimal taps it down the surface.

52.3: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Down the leg side, helped through fine leg for a run.

52.2: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Similar action but this one lands on middle. Chandimal pushes it towards mid on and sees Marco Jansen resting on his heels. Immediately calls for the single. Dhananjaya de Silva is late to respond but by the time Jansen can get to the ball, pick it up and even score a direct hit at the keeper's end, de Silva is in.

52.1: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Delivered with a bit of round arm, flighted around leg, Dinesh Chandimal defends it.

51.6: Gerald Coetzee to Dhananjaya de Silva, Outside off, on a back of a length, Dhananjaya de Silva stays deep in the crease and plays inside the line.

51.5: Gerald Coetzee to Dhananjaya de Silva, Angling in, just down leg, Dhananjaya de Silva hops back and looks to tickle but misses. The ball brushes his trouser and goes to the keeper to his left. 

51.4: Gerald Coetzee to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short of a length, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva whips it off the lower end of his bat and hits it straight to mid off. Not much bounce on that one from Coetzee!

51.3: Gerald Coetzee to Dhananjaya de Silva, Down the leg side, de Silva looks to tuck it away but misses. The ball hits his pads and rolls towards leg gully. Yes, a leg gully has been stationed. So Dhananjaya needs to be watchful with that flick shot.

51.2: Gerald Coetzee to Dhananjaya de Silva, On a good length, around middle, Dhananjaya de Silva hops and defends it towards mid on.

51.1: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, A length ball, around middle, Dinesh Chandimal works it through mid-wicket for a single. The stand moves to 90 now.

50.6: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, SIX! That's one way to counter! Tossed up, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva uses his feet. Gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it over long off for a biggie. 

50.5: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Flighted full, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva lunges and looks to block. Gets an inside edge off his pads to leg slip. 

50.4: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Full and outside off, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it to deep point for a single. 

50.3: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Oohhh... drifts through, Chandimal pushes too hard and gets a thick inside edge. Lands just short of short leg.

50.2: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Goes back and works it past short leg for a single.

50.1: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Around off, pushed towards mid on.

49.6: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, On a length, on off, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it to mid on.

49.5: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Full and charging in at the stumps, Dinesh Chandimal knocks it to mid on to his right. 

49.4: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Hard length, over off, Dinesh Chandimal hops back and keeps it down the deck.

49.3: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, FOUR! Nicely played. For the first time in the game, one senses a bit of pressure on the South Africans. They are struggling for control and the Lankans are making use of that. Coetzee goes way too straight, on a length and Dinesh Chandimal tickles it nicely through fine leg for a boundary. The stand moves to 81.

49.2: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Keeps this on the stumps, on a length again, but the ball stays low this time. Chandimal has to adjust quickly and pushes it away towards short mid-wicket.

Can Gerald Coetzee find some rhythm in his spell?

49.1: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Gerald Coetzee returns to bowl. 8-0-50-1 so far. Starts with a length ball outside off and generates extra bounce. Dinesh Chandimal arches back from that one.

48.6: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR AND FIFTY FOR DE SILVA! It took the umpire a while to signal it as runs and not a leg bye, but Dhananjaya de Silva won’t be celebrating much just yet. He's being positive in his approach and has looked to fight fire with fire thus far! He is slowly but surely leading his side out of trouble. Flatter and fuller, coming on with the arm, on middle and leg, Dhananjaya de Silva sweeps and gets just enough on it to beat the fielder at short fine to his right. 

48.5: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Full and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva keeps it out.

48.4: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Follows up with a great delivery. Tosses it up, on off, and gets the ball to turn away past the outside edge as Dhananjaya de Silva looks to block. 

48.3: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR! WHAM! Flighted, outside off, this time Dhananjaya de Silva gets down and sweeps it powerfully, through mid-wicket! The stand moves to 73.

48.2: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Cheeky. Very full and straight, Dhananjaya de Silva gets down and across. Riskily takes the ball from the stumps and paddles it through fine leg. Had he missed, he was a goner. Two runs taken.

48.1: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Full, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva drives it straight to cover.

Interesting point from Mike Haysman on air. He informs us that he was observing the South African bowlers this morning, while warming up. He adds that NONE of the seamers were landing their foot behind the line and were only concentrating on loosening their bodies. One understands that is a warmup, but probably, because they are not focusing on the popping crease there, this bad habit of overstepping is creeping in consistently. On the other hand, Haysman adds, the Sri Lankans were bowling too. But NONE of them bowled a no ball in the nets. All about perspective and priority.

47.6: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Angling in, way down leg, Dinesh Chandimal lets it pass. 

47.5: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, A bit closer to the off-stump, on a length, Dinesh Chandimal is very confident on where his off stump is. Covers it, trusts the bounce and makes the leave. 

47.4: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Full, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal holds his wrists up and makes a leave. 

47.3: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Overpitched, outside off, Dinesh drives it straight to cover.

47.2: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Outside off, closer to the off stump, on a length, Chandimal shoulders arms.

47.1: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, FOUR! 50 FOR CHANDIMAL! A hard-fought one. Copped a lot of blows last evening and continues to hang in there, showing some fight. Gets a short ball first up from Jansen after the break and goes for the pull. Does not connect cleanly as he is cramped for room amd ends up dragging it. But the ball is through mid on where there is no fielder and will race to the ropes. 348 more needed now.

DRINKS BREAK. Round 1 goes to Sri Lanka. They have not been the most convincing, but have done what matters the most - not lost wickets. South Africa started a bit inconsistently with the ball this morning. Kagiso Rabada was on the money but Gerald Coetzee is still looking far from his best. Not quite sure what was the reason behind that pairing, as the Rabada-Jansen combo rocked the Lankans with the new ball and also last evening. Maybe, that allowed the visitors to get away and they have seen off the first 70 minutes without any blemish. Dinesh Chandimal has dropped down to an anchor role while skipper Dhananjaya de Silva is playing the way he knows best - attackingly. He has survived quite a few close calls, inside edges missing the stumps, outside edges landing short, being squared up, being beaten but he has countered all that and raced to 41. Irrespective, the Lankans will know that they have a long road ahead. The ball is still deviating off the surface, so one will definitely have a batter's name on it. South Africa will understand that and need to be patient. Both sides need to reapply themselves and start again. Next stop for the Lankans - stay 5 down at Lunch.

46.6: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Tossed up, on middle and off, Dhananjaya de Silva chops it on the bounce, back to the bowler. 

46.5: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Flighted full, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva drives it straight back to the bowler. 

46.4: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, On a nagging length, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva goes deep in the crease and tucks it to mid-wicket.

46.3: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR MORE! Risky again, but Dhananjaya de Silva keeps pulling it off. The arm ball, outside off, from Maharaj, de Silva looks to drive initially, but is done in by the length. However, he adjusts quickly, to go back and pick the ball from the stumps and punch it through point. The stand is now worth 63 and de Silva has scored 41 of those.

46.2: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Around off, dabbed back down the track.

46.1: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR! Risky but effective. 'That's a good sign, Keshav!' chides Kyle Verreynne. Actually, Maharaj will not be too disappointed with this. Good shot, no doubt. Flighted, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva came down the track and went for the flick. But he did not hit it to perfection. As a result, the ball went uppishly and in between short mid-wicket and mid on.

Matthew Breetzke has been added to the South African squad for the second Test but it depends on what kind of a pitch do we get in Gqeberha. Breetzke replacing Mulder means South Africa will have only four proper bowlers, as in this Test and in a long format, that is not advisable. You need a fifth bowler and a proper one at that - not a part-timer. So Breetze, being a top-order batter, could well replace someone in the top order, if necessary but from a bowling perspective replacement for Mulder, Muthusamy seems to be the closest candidate.

45.6: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Angling in, on a fuller length, at the stumps, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it back to the bowler. 

45.5: Marco Jansen to Dhananjaya de Silva, Beautifully driven! A bit too full from Jansen, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva frees his arms and drives it off the lower half of the bat. Gets it past point. Kagiso Rabada chases the ball and just stops it inches before the fence and saves a run for his side. 

45.4: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Hard length, just outside off, Dinesh Chandimal just works it in front of cover and steals a quick single. This is great batting!

45.3: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, FOUR! WHACK! Width and punished. Length ball, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal throws his bat at it and laces it through cover-point. 50-STAND UP AND 150 UP FOR SRI LANKA. 362 more needed.

45.2: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Landed wider outside off, Chandimal shoulders arms.

45.1: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Fuller, just around off, Dinesh Chandimal defends.

It is confirmed news that Wiaan Mulder has been ruled out of the second Test. Who could replace him? Dane Paterson looks the likeliest candidate. But remember, Mulder is an allrounder. So you actually two replacements for him. Paterson is decent with the ball, but cannot say the same about his batting skills. From the current squad, Senuran Muthusamy can do the job. He is a spinner alright, but he can bat as well, as he showed against Bangladesh recently.

44.6: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Floated full, on middle and off, Dhananjaya de Silva blocks.

44.5: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Stright at the stumps at 82kph, Dhananjaya de Silva pushes it back to Maharaj.  

44.4: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Flighted full, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva taps it to the off side. 

44.3: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, The arm ball, around off, de Silva punches it back to the bowler.

44.2: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Slower through the air, flighted around off, Dhananjaya waits for the ball to arrive and then tries to dab it past slip. Hits it straight to him, on the bounce.

44.1: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Full, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva defends.

Over the past few minutes, the South Africans have got a lot chirpier. Could be frustration, or could be just that expectation from their bowlers to deliver the goods.

43.6: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Fuller and on off, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it to mid off.

43.5: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Length, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal leaves it alone.

43.4: Marco Jansen to Dhananjaya de Silva, Almost sneaked it through. Jansen goes full and on off, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to drive it straight but doesn't negate the angle coming in well. Gets an inside edge off his pads and to the on side for a single.

43.3: Marco Jansen to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR! LOVELY! Slightly overpitched from Jansen and Dhananjaya pounces. Outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva leans and drives it beautifully through the covers for a boundary. 369 more needed to win now.

43.2: Marco Jansen to Dhananjaya de Silva, In the air... safe. A short ball, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to pull, but is cramped for room. He still goes through with the pull, mistiming it over short leg. By the time fine leg can get across, two runs are taken.

43.1: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, On a good length, around off, Dinesh Chandimal works it through square leg for a single.

42.6: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Looped up, at the stumps, Dhananjaya de Silva keeps it out. 

42.5: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Flighted full, on middle and off, Dhananjaya de Silva pushes it back to the bowler.

42.4: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Full, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva blocks.

42.3: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Oh wow, drift and turn with some bounce! Maharaj will be delighted to see that! He tosses it up, on off and gets the ball to bite the surface and turn away to zip past the outside edge with some extra bounce.

42.2: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Full, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva flicks it to mid-wicket.

42.1: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR! Nicely done! A bit short and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva rocks back and wrists it through the gap at mid-wicket for a boundary. 

41.6: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Chandimal chases a ball that should have been left alone and gets beaten! Outside off, on a fuller length, shaping away further off the deck. Dinesh Chandimal looks to capitalize on the length and goes for a big drive but gets beaten on the outside edge. 

41.5: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Well outside off, on a length, Dinesh Chandimal shoulders arms.

41.4: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Back of a length, over off, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it to mid off.

41.3: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Angling in, on middle and leg, on a nagging length, Dinesh Chandimal looks to tuck it off his pads but the ball bounces a bit more and hits him over the knee-roll on the front pad. A stifled appeal for LBW!

41.2: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Outside off again and this time Chandimal leaves it alone.

41.1: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Good length, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal looks to drive but gets beaten. 

40.6: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Full, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva knocks it to mid off.

40.5: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, A very loud appeal for LBW but turned down. Keshav Maharaj isn't quite sure but Kyle Verreynne feels it was pretty straight! There were two sounds so Temba Bavuma decides not to send it upstairs. Darted in full and on middle, shaping back into the batter who tries to make some room and play it on the off side. The ball goes off the inside edge and hits his pad. 

40.4: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Drags the length down by a bit and keeps it on middle and leg, Dhananjaya de Silva blocks.

40.3: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Tossed up, on middle again, Dhananjaya de Silva drives it back to the bowler. 

40.2: Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva, Floated full, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva pushes it back to the bowler.

40.1: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Returns to the attack and bowls it full, on middle, Dinesh Chandimal eases it out to long off for a single.

Keshav Maharaj will be keen to breakthrough for the Proteas!

39.6: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR! Nice little shot from Dhananjaya de Silva! Growing in confidence is he! A bit fuller this time from Rabada, on off, de Silva drives it off the lower half of the bat but beats cover to his right. Temba Bavuma gives it a chase but the ball wins the race.

39.5: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, Good length, over off, Dhananjaya de Silva cuts it to backward point.

39.5: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, Oh no! Another No Ball from Rabada! On a good length, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva tucks it to mid on.

39.4: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, An appeal for caught behind from around the circle but none from Kyle Verreynne! Turned down! Angling in a lone way, down leg, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to tickle it fine but misses. The ball brushes the pad and goes to the left of the keeper who takes it well diving to that side. The UltraEdge shows that it indeed brushed only the pad and turns out it was a wise decision by Bavuma not to challenge it. 

39.3: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, Angling in, on a good length, over middle, Dhananjaya de Silva is cramped in and fails to keep it out. The ball goes through to hit him very high on the waist.

39.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, Hits one of the cracks and nips back in sharply from around the fifth stump, on a length, Dhananjaya de Silva does well to jam it out. 

39.1: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short of a length, outside off, straightens up off the deck. Dhananjaya de Silva has a feel for it but the ball zips past the outside edge. 

38.6: Marco Jansen to Dhananjaya de Silva, Hits the deck on a back of a length, over off, Dhananjaya de Silva lifts his front leg, transferring his weight back and pulls it all along the ground to deep square leg for a single.

38.5: Marco Jansen to Dhananjaya de Silva, Just outside off, on a good length, Dhananjaya de Silva pats it to point.

38.4: Marco Jansen to Dhananjaya de Silva, Fuller and outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva with very soft hands drops his bat on the ball and steers it to gully.

38.3: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Slightly short of a good length, over middle, Dinesh Chandimal tucks it to deep square leg for a single. 

38.2: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Hard length, on off, Dinesh Chandimal blocks.

38.1: Marco Jansen to Dhananjaya de Silva, Starts with a full one, on leg, Dhananjaya de Silva clips it in front of deep fine for a single.

Marco Jansen comes into the attack now! His figures, 11-3-22-2 so far!

37.6: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Angling in a bit more, on a hard length, on middle and leg, Dinesh Chandimal looks to flick but is cramped in the crease. Misses and gets hit high on the pad.

37.5: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, Goes fuller and on middle and leg, Dhananjaya de Silva flicks it off his pads to deep fine for a single.

37.4: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Angling in, on middle, Dinesh Chandimal tucks it in front of mid-wicket and scampers in for a quick single.

37.3: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Short of a good length, just outside off, Dinesh Chandimal dabs it out to gully.

37.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Into the surface again, a bit more short than the last one, angling in over middle and leg, Dinesh Chandimal ducks under.

37.1: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Bangs it into the deck, on a back of a length, over middle, Dinesh Chandimal hops back and keeps it out.

36.6: Gerald Coetzee to Dhananjaya de Silva, Very full, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to drive but gets it off the bottom half, towards cover.

36.5: Gerald Coetzee to Dhananjaya de Silva, Straighter, pushed back to the bowler.

36.4: Gerald Coetzee to Dhananjaya de Silva, Landed outside off, dabbed towards gully.

36.3: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Around off, nudged through mid-wicket for a quick single.

36.2: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Another edge, does not carry! This is what we meant my patience. Such things will keep happening. Fuller, outside off, Chandimal lunged and reached out to defend. The ball moved away slightly and took the outside edge. But it landed well short of third slip, who parried it to Marco Jansen at gully, who stopped it with his right hand.

36.1: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Fuller, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal drives it towards short extra cover.

35.6: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, A length ball, outside off, kept out towards the cover region.

35.5: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, Excellent nut. Rabada angles this into the right-hander and gets Dhananjaya de Silva to poke at it. The ball moves away late and beats the outside edge.

35.4: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, This one stays a touch low from a good length, Dhananjaya de Silva pushes it back down the track.

35.3: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, Fuller, around off, kept out.

35.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Around off, tucked behind square leg for a single.

35.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Outside off, pushed towards cover. There we go again. The third umpire gets on the button early. NO BALL signalled for overstepping.

35.1: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, Around off, tapped to the off side for a single.

34.6: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Four! Slightly wide outside off, Chandimal opens the face of his bat and guides it to the right of point to find the gap and the boundary.

34.5: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Around middle and leg, Dinesh Chandimal works it through the leg side. But Tony de Zorzi at short leg puts his left hand out and deflects it towards short mid-wicket. Excellent fielding.

34.4: Gerald Coetzee to Dhananjaya de Silva, On a good length now, outside off, the skipper hops and pushes it towards point for a quick single. Small bit of happiness for the Lankans - runs needed under 400 now.

34.3: Gerald Coetzee to Dhananjaya de Silva, Fuller, around off, now DdS looks to drive but hits it off the toe end towards mid off.

34.2: Gerald Coetzee to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR! WALLOP! Coetzee goes short and Dhananjaya pounces. Coetzee perhaps aimed for the bouncer but this was nowhere high enough. It came around chest height and de Silva picked the length quickly. Was onto his back foot and pulled it through mid-wicket in a flash.

34.1: Gerald Coetzee to Dhananjaya de Silva, Around off, nipping back in, Dhananjaya de Silva stabs it to the off side.

33.6: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, Inside edge, misses the stumps! What a bluff from Rabada and Bavuma. With short leg moved back to deep square leg and deep mid-wicket brought in, Dhananjaya de Silva was perhaps expecting the short ball. He was rooted in his crease but Rabada smartly bowled it much fuller than Dhananjaya's expectation. It was outside off and de Silva reacted very late to try and defend. Got an inside edge, which missed the stumps and went to fine leg! A single taken.

33.5: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR! Stylishly done. Just a touch too straight from Rabada, perhaps trying to bowl that magic ball. Maybe a yorker or an inswinger. This is full, around middle and leg and Dhananjaya de Silva flicks it over mid-wicket for the first boundary of the day. Short leg goes out to deep square leg now. Short stuff coming?

33.4: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Around middle, Dinesh works it through mid on for a single. 409 more to win now. 

33.3: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, What a beauty. Rabada bowls a beautiful inswinger and Chandimal, rightly plays for the ball coming in. But after pitching, the ball jags away off the seam, beating the outside edge. How do you play that? South Africa will be happy with that, but they need to be patient.

33.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Full and straight, around off, Chandimal pushes it down to mid on.

33.1: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, On a good length, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal shoulders arms.

32.6: Gerald Coetzee to Dhananjaya de Silva, EDGED, SHORT! Excellent effort by Marco Jansen. Full, outside off, a touch wide, Dhananjaya de Silva plays a loose-looking drive. Almost similar to the way he was playing in the first innings. Got a thick outside edge which went between third slip and gully. But the tall Jansen at gully got down quickly with a dive to his left and stopped it with his left hand.

32.5: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Outside off, eased behind point for a single. Again, Chandimal is into the ears of the umpire, this time Saikat. Discussing about the sightscreen issue.

32.4: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, A good short ball now, outside off. DC looks to defend but suddenly the ball rears off. Chandimal is surprised and is forced to take his top hand off the bat. The ball hits the top portion of the bat and dies down.

32.3: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Fuller, flicked away but cannot get it past mid-wicket, can Dinesh.

32.2: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Better. Coetzee lands it on a length, just outside off, Chandimal nudges it, on the bounce, towards Tony de Zorzi at short leg. After what de Zorzi did yesterday, against Prabath Jayasuriya, you don't want to be keeping the ball in the air anywhere near him. 

32.1: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Does not start well, Coetzee. A full toss and misdirected down the leg side. Dinesh Chandimal lets it pass. Seems like he lost his wrist position right at the time when he was about to deliver the ball.

Who will bowl from the other end? Surprisingly, Gerald Coetzee. Was all over the place yesterday. 5-0-39-1 so far.

31.6: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, This one nips back in, kept out by the Lankan skipper.

31.5: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, Beautiful delivery. Rabada gets this to jag back in from over the wicket and then makes it to move away off the seam. De Silva is squared up and pushes at it, almost getting an outside edge.

31.4: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, Good line from Rabada, around the stumps, perhaps stays a touch low, the skipper defends.

31.3: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Around off, Dinesh Chandimal opens the face of his bat and angles this behind point, for a run. He walks over to umpire Paul Reiffel and explains the issue he is facing with the sightscreen.

Oh dear. Early in the morning. Sightscreen issues first up. It is an electronic sightscreen, which turns white and black. Sometimes, it starts flickering on its own. So someone has to go and pull the curtain across. Ryan Rickelton ran all the way, tried to unfasten the curtains but was unable to. Eventually, the umpires decided to let it be and we continue with the sightscreen fluttering.

31.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, A bit too straight now, Dhananjaya nudges it through fine leg and gets a single. Sri Lanka are away for the day. The skipper is off the mark too.

31.1: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, On a good length, but slightly wider outside off, an easy leave for Dhananjaya de Silva.

A bright and sunny morning welcomes us in Durban. South Africa are just done with their huddle and pre-day talk and they spread out onto the field. Now, the overnight batters walk out - Chandimal and Dhananjaya. It will be Kagiso Rabada to start things off this morning. 11-2-34-2 so far. Here we go, with DdS on strike. Three slips and a gully await.

And now, the million-dollar question. How long? How long? One session? Two? Practically, because this is a long first session, scheduled for 135 minutes, one does not see this game dragging into the afternoon session. But say, Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva see off the first 70 minutes without blemish, they could actually take this game into the second session. That's how they need to aim. Hour by hour and then session by session. Forget the runs for now, just concentrate on what you can get. In David Warner's words for Australia during the recent Perth Test, staring defeat in the face, 'Get a net session'.

The hosts would be eyeing to bowl in the right channels and areas and not give the Lankans any respite. No balls is something they would definitely be concerned, even though they are well ahead in this match and would want to bowl with as much accuracy as possible. Sometimes, when you are on top and not get much of a challenge, you get in that zone of getting things done quickly and not expect much resistance. And if and when you do, you start getting frustrated. South Africa seemed to be desperate in that second innings with the ball initially, wherein they were seen just wasting their reviews. They would be aiming to just do their work and let the result take care of itself. Remember, this is just the start of their home season, so they might take just that wee bit of extra time to get warmed up.

Now, South Africa. Any Protea fan reading the previous few paragraphs, would be rechecking where exactly has he / she entered. A fairytale book? From their point of view, clinical precision is what they seek. They got it pretty easy in the first innings, but found a glimmer of resistance when Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal were playing well. The pitch has definitely gotten better to bat but there were signs of inconsistent bounce on Friday and come Day 4, there could be even more.

There have been other comeback-from-dead miracles, not to mention the Dravid-Laxman epic in 2001, Kolkata against Australia or even the Abdur Razzaq-Kamran Akmal heist against India in 2008. The point is, it is Sri Lanka who need to believe that they can fight. Miracles do not happen every day, but if they have happened in the past, they can occur again. We cannot see the future, so we don't know what lies in store. Just imagine - Sri Lanka battle hard, say don't throw it away for two sessions - drag it into the third session and then suddenly, the weather opens up. Who knows - they could salvage a draw! Yes, it relies on hope but you also need to work hard to fathom that hope.

With everyone beside you telling directly or indirectly that this game is more or less done, how do you respond? Probably, look at some earlier games where legends from your country did the unthinkable. Let's go in reverse order. Kusal Perera - 16th February, 2019, Durban. Sri Lanka were set a target of 304 and were 110/5. But one man - Kusal Perera - blasted an unbeaten 153 - to maintain Sri Lanka's unblemished record at this venue in Tests. Let's go a bit beyond. Rangana Herath - 7th July, 2009, Galle. Sri Lanka had set Pakistan a target of 168 in the fourth innings and at Stumps on Day 3, the visitors were 71/2,  needing just another 97 to win. JUST. Come Day 4, a canny left-arm spinner, Rangana Herath, just ran through Pakistan, with a 4-wicket haul, dismissing them for just 117 as Sri Lanka won by 50 runs.

Many times, it is said that a good start is the foundation to a successful outcome. Sometimes, it is also said that it does not matter how you start. What matters is how you finish. The second case can be applied to the first Australia-India Test in Perth, where it did not even matter how much India made batting first there. But here, in Durban, Sri Lanka's 42 all out in their first innings has gone a long way in shaping their fortunes in the Test. A shambolic few minutes of batting completely erased their terrific effort with the ball earlier and now, they stand staring at a mountain, where they need to scale another 413 runs, with 6 sessions potentially available, but just 5 wickets in hand. Of which, only 3 proper batters are left.

3 matches played. 2 wins and a draw. This is Sri Lanka's Test record in Durban - the only team yet to suffer a defeat at this venue in this format. A very proud fact. But just as all good things have to come to an end, this record is on the verge of being broken today. Or perhaps tomorrow. With due respect to the nation, because of the massive task ahead of them, hard to see the Islanders battle for long, against a quality bowling attack. But, when one plays for pride, one can achieve exceptional things. Could we possibly see one or some of those exceptional things from the Lankans? On that note, hello and a warm welcome to the fourth and perhaps the final day of the opening Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Kingsmead, Durban.

... DAY 4 ...

How's the weather on Saturday? Excellent, says Mike Haysman on air. South Africa should wrap this up in the first session but for cricket's sake, let's hope Sri Lanka offer a fightback. Trying to score 413 runs from here will be a tall order but they can at least make the home side work for its wickets. It's Sunday where the forecast is poor but it will be a great achievement if the visitors take this to the second session. The first ball will be bowled at 7.30 am GMT on Day 4, on Saturday, 30th November 2024, but our build-up will begin much earlier. Do tune in early then. You can also catch all the action from the New Zealand-England Test and keep yourselves entertained. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

South Africa will be more or less happy with their state right now. Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs batted beautifully, setting up a huge target and then the bowlers have done fairly well. But one felt that they were just a bit too desperate with the new ball. They wasted 2 out of their 3 reviews pretty early but after those 2 quick wickets, they kind of settled down. The new-ball bowlers, Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, were consistent but were indisciplined with their no balls. The pair has bowled 8 no balls already, 5 by Rabada and 3 by Jansen and need to work that out for the coming days. Gerald Coetzee, looking to bowl as quick as possible, was all over the place, while Maharaj might just want to forget this Test as one with his guest appearance, simply because the seamers are not leaving him with much work to do.

After a surprise declaration at the Tea break, with no one given any whiff, Sri Lanka started their innings like a rollercoaster. They were flying at 5 an over but also lost their openers fairly cheaply. Two experienced stalwarts, Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews, then got the repair job underway nicely, adding 44 for the third wicket, before the gloomy conditions altered their path. Chandimal is still battling out there, on a valiant 29, but he will have a massive job on Saturday, to try and take Sri Lanka to a competitive total.

Will the umpires come under scrutiny for this game? Especially that last hour? With light fading, allowing the seamers, who can bowl at 140 clicks, to carry on was a questionable decision. The Lankan batters suffered a few blows but surprisingly, the quicks were not taken off. Maybe, because the visitors were not complaining, the umpires felt that it was okay. That could have been a telling factor as well. Who knows, if the decision had been made on not to allow the seamers to carry on, Sri Lanka might have still been 2 down. 

Sri Lanka probably would have taken 3 wickets at Stumps, but one false shot from Kamindu Mendis, followed by a scorcher by Tony de Zorzi, have left them licking their wounds. With 7 wickets in the bag, they could have looked at batting big on Saturday, but the complexion has changed now. They still can look to bat big, but their options have dwindled. Only Kusal Mendis is left amongst the recognized batters.

That's why, it is said, Test cricket is the best. Never go by what is happening in the present. You can never say when will the game change. Sri Lanka were doing okay at 82/2, but suddenly, with the conditions getting a bit overcast, the ball started to do something and they lost 3/19 in under 10 overs.

What a way to end the day. The South Africans will be cock-a-hoop, but you have got to feel for the Sri Lankans. They batted much better in this dig so far, but those last 40-45 minutes have left them crestfallen.

30.6: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Full and outside off, DC gets across and then takes his bat away from the ball. That will be it for the day. STUMPS ON DAY 3, SRI LANKA ARE 103/5, CHASING 516!

30.5: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, A length ball, darts back in, Dinesh works it past Tony de Zorzi at short leg. By the time long leg can get to the ball, a couple of runs are taken.

30.4: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Another wide ball, a bit wild as well. Bounces well away, Chandimal arches away.

30.3: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, A touch wider outside off, Dinesh Chandimal shoulders arms.

30.2: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Outside off, left alone.

30.1: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Full, around middle, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it towards mid on.

Will we get another over? Seems like we will. Gerald Coetzee to bowl. 4-0-37-1 so far.

29.6: Kagiso Rabada to Dhananjaya de Silva, Outside off, pushed towards point.

Who walks in now? The skipper, Dhananjaya de Silva has decided to shoulder the responsibility.

29.5: Kagiso Rabada to Prabath Jayasuriya, OUT! CAUGHT! Tony de Zorzi has pulled off a blinder at short leg! Probably the hardest position in the field to be in to take a catch but de Zorzi has pulled it off brilliantly! Excellent reflexes! Kagiso Rabada bowls it into the pads on a length and Prabath Jayasuriya flicks it right off the middle of the bat and straight over Tony de Zorzi at short leg. He rises a bit and sticks both his hands above his face and grabs onto it. Prabath Jayasuriya stands there in disbelief but that sums it up for Sri Lanka as they lose half their side for 101 runs!

29.4: Kagiso Rabada to Prabath Jayasuriya, Hits the deck hard, on a back of a length, over off, Prabath Jayasuriya keeps it out well.

29.3: Kagiso Rabada to Prabath Jayasuriya, A short ball, down the leg side, Jayasuriya gets across and tucks it through fine leg. Jayasuriya starts to run but is sent back initially. Then, when Chandimal sees the ball go past the keeper, he starts to run. But suddenly, Chandimal realizes that the job of a nightwatchman is to actually protect the set batter. Sends Jayasuriya back again. Dot ball, after all these events.

29.2: Kagiso Rabada to Prabath Jayasuriya, On a good length, around off, extra bounce, the tall Prabath Jayasuriya rises with the bounce and pushes it towards point.

29.1: Kagiso Rabada to Prabath Jayasuriya, Around off, pushed towards the off side.

29.1: Kagiso Rabada to Prabath Jayasuriya, Full and around off, Prabath Jayasuriya defends. Not for the first time in this innings, the third umpire, Joel Wilson informs the on-field umpire Paul Reiffel, that Rabada has overstepped. NO BALL NUMBER 5 FROM HIM!

Ahhh... the physio is out in the middle now. Dinesh Chandimal has taken a lot of blows in this innings but this one is for the latest blow in the 28th over, where he copped one on the left shoulder against Rabada. Chandimal is getting a bit of a treatment there, along with a bit of a massage. Pops in a couple of pills as well. Of course, that takes out a couple of minutes, which means that this next Rabada over could well be the final one for the day.

28.6: Marco Jansen to Prabath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka get to the 100-run mark! On a length, on off, Prabath Jayasuriya pushes it to cover and gets a single to get off the mark. 

28.5: Marco Jansen to Prabath Jayasuriya, Angling into the pads, on a length, Prabath Jayasuriya turns it around to short leg where Tony de Zorzi makes a sharp stop low to his right. 

28.4: Marco Jansen to Prabath Jayasuriya, Back of a length, on middle, Prabath Jayasuriya stands in the crease and looks to tuck it across but misses high onto his thigh. 

28.3: Marco Jansen to Prabath Jayasuriya, Good bounce this time. From a good length, outside off. Jayasuriya rises with the bounce and dabs it down on the off side.

28.2: Marco Jansen to Prabath Jayasuriya, On a good length this time, well defended.

28.1: Marco Jansen to Prabath Jayasuriya, Full and outside off, Prabath Jayasuriya gets across and defends it solidly.

Well, Kamindu Mendis will be very disappointed with that shot. Sometimes, what happens is, when you are brimming with confidence, you find it hard to hold back your shots. Playing shots is always a double-edged sword. If you pull it off, you are praised for being positive. But if you don't you are criticized for the same. Same is the case with Kamindu. He will have seniors around his ears, asking him the need for that shot. It was a plain waft, with no movement of his feet.

27.6: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Full and outside off, Dinesh Chandimal leans onto it and looks to drive but gets an inside edge off his pads and rolling down the deck.

27.5: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Fuller and at the stumps, Dinesh Chandimal clips it to mid on.

27.4: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, On a length, on off, Dinesh Chandimal punches it to backward point.

27.3: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Fuller, around off, Dinesh pushes this towards mid on.

27.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, On a good length, outside off, Chandimal pushes this through the covers and sets off for a single. But then, he sees Temba Bavuma lurk around over there and immediately changes his call.

27.1: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Ouch. A short ball, around off, Dinesh Chandimal looks to pull but the ball skids and bounces sharply. He takes his eyes off the ball and gets hit on the left shoulder. The ball lobs to the leg side.

Surely, a nightwatchman now? Yes. Prabath Jayasuriya has come in at number 6, replacing Kamindu Mendis. Seems like either there was some deliberation in the dressing room on who should walk out or they were simply not ready for this situation. Jayasuriya takes a long time to come out, well after Kamindu has reached the dressing room.

26.6: Marco Jansen to Kamindu Mendis, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Marco Jansen gets his second and Kamindu Mendis after looking so composed to let the balls outside off, go past has fallen right back into that trap. To make it worse, Mendis takes a review with him. This is very wide outside off, on a length, Kamindu Mendis stands tall and throws his hands at it away from his body. Gets an outside edge that goes straight into the hands of the keeper Kyle Verreynne. He talks to his partner and decides to review it. The UltraEdge shows a spike as the ball passes the bat and the onfield call of OUT stays. Sri Lanka are now 99/4 and need 417 more runs to win. While South Africa need 6 wickets! Also, Sri Lanka have now exhausted all their reviews.

26.5: Marco Jansen to Kamindu Mendis, Good length, on off, Kamindu Mendis taps it to cover.

26.4: Marco Jansen to Kamindu Mendis, On a length, just outside off, Kamindu Mendis leans ahead and makes a leave. 

26.3: Marco Jansen to Kamindu Mendis, Full and straight, Mendis defends it solidly.

26.2: Marco Jansen to Kamindu Mendis, Fuller, around off, tailing in slightly, Kamindu adjusts well and pushes it towards mid off.

26.1: Marco Jansen to Kamindu Mendis, Beaten. On a good length, just outside off, Kamindu Mendis pushes at it, but then realizes his mistake and tries to withdraw his bat. Gets late and is beaten. No need to play at those.

This is a very tricky period of play for Sri Lanka. Of course, the last half an hour of a day is important for any team, but they have got an additional challenge of facing a strong seam attack under overcast conditions. South Africa would dearly love another wicket towards the fag end of the day and if that does happen, there might just be a deceleration tomorrow morning. On the other hand, if this pair sees off this day, it can come in with some confidence on Day 4. After the quickfire start by the openers, some sanity has been restored, with Chandimal looking very compact, while Kamindu is oozing class and confidence.

25.6: Kagiso Rabada to Kamindu Mendis, Short of a length, angling into middle, Kamindu Mendis pulls it to fine leg for a single.

25.5: Kagiso Rabada to Kamindu Mendis, On a good length, outside off, Kamindu Mendis pushes it to backward point.

25.4: Kagiso Rabada to Kamindu Mendis, A loud appeal for LBW by Rabada alone! Turned down! On a hard length, on off and jagging back in a fair bit to go past the inside edge and thud Mendis high on the pad.

25.3: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Good length, outside off, seaming away, Chandimal pushes it through the covers for a run.

25.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, On a good length, outside off, nipping back in, Dinesh Chandimal nudges it towards short mid-wicket.

25.1: Kagiso Rabada to Kamindu Mendis, On a good length, around off, Kamindu Mendis nudges this through the leg side for a single. 419 more needed to win now.

We are into overtime now. Stumps are officially scheduled for 3 pm GMT, but because of the overs pending, there is that allowance of the extra 30 minutes. 12 overs are still left, so we will definitely not get those many in, but wonder, at this stage of the day, with light fading, will the umpires just decide on whether to allow pacers to bowl or not, or just take the players off for bad light. It is getting darker by the minute.

24.6: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Fuller than a good length, on off, Dinesh Chandimal pokes it out to point.

24.5: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Digs it in short and over leg. This one doesn't bounce as much and Dinesh Chandimal ducks. 

24.4: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Outside off, on a length, Dinesh Chandimal holds his wrists high up in the air and makes a leave. 

24.3: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Beautifully followed up by Jansen! Lands it on a length, on off and gets it to shape away to go past the outside edge as Chandimal looks to block. 

24.2: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, FOUR! Growing in confidence is Dinesh Chandimal! Overpitched on off, Dinesh Chandimal leans into it and creams it past mid off to his right.

24.1: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Hits the deck hard, on a length, just outside off, Dinesh Chandimal hops back and punches it to cover.

If one actually watches Kamindu Mendis bat, his shot-making resembles a lot to that of the great Kumar Sangakkara. Not surprising, as Sanga would have been a childhood idol for many. Additionally, Kamindu comes across as a youngster who trusts his game and is very confident about himself. That pick-up shot in the previous over for six reminded so much of the great Sangakkara. Kamindu is currently 9th in the ICC Test rankings for batters.

23.6: Kagiso Rabada to Kamindu Mendis, Very short, angling in over middle and leg, Kamindu Mendis ducks underneath. 

23.5: Kagiso Rabada to Kamindu Mendis, Good length, over off, Kamindu Mendis dabs it out to the off side.

23.4: Kagiso Rabada to Kamindu Mendis, Outside off, on a length, Kamindu Mendis holds his bat high and makes a very confident leave. 

23.3: Kagiso Rabada to Kamindu Mendis, Good length, on off, Kamindu Mendis blocks.

23.2: Kagiso Rabada to Kamindu Mendis, SIX! Oh hello, where has that come from?  Short of a length, on middle, Kamindu Mendis pulls it over square leg fence for a biggie. This was timed really well! 

23.1: Kagiso Rabada to Kamindu Mendis, Kagiso Rabada returns into the attack and bowls it nicely on a good length, on off, Kamindu Mendis taps it to cover.

22.6: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Well-directed bouncer from Jansen to end the over! Short and over middle, Dinesh Chandimal sees the line but fails to decide whether to play or duck. Decides very late and ducks under it. 

22.5: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, On off, on a length, Dinesh Chandimal taps it to mid on.

22.4: Marco Jansen to Kamindu Mendis, Short and on middle, Kamindu Mendis pulls it all along the ground, more off the lower part of his bat to fine leg for a single.

22.3: Marco Jansen to Kamindu Mendis, Fuller and on middle and off, Kamindu Mendis drives it off the inner half to mid-wicket.

22.2: Marco Jansen to Kamindu Mendis, Angling into the batter, on a back of a length, Kamindu Mendis clips it to square leg.

22.1: Marco Jansen to Kamindu Mendis, On a good length, outside off, Kamindu Mendis leaves it alone.

22.1: Marco Jansen to Kamindu Mendis, NO BALL! Another overstepping from Marco Jansen that has been conveyed by the third umpire. On a length, on off, Kamindu Mendis blocks.

21.6: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Slows it up and keeps it full, on middle and leg, Dinesh Chandimal taps it out to the leg side.

21.5: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Tossed up, on middle, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it back to the bowler. 

21.4: Keshav Maharaj to Kamindu Mendis, Full, on middle, Kamindu Mendis eases it to long on for a single and gets off the mark.

21.3: Keshav Maharaj to Kamindu Mendis, Switches to over the wicket and lands it full, just outside off, Kamindu Mendis plants his front leg out and looks to play at it but the ball turns back in and goes past the inside edge to hit him on the front pad. A half-hearted appeal from the players around but the impact was well outside off. 

21.2: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Flighted full, on middle and leg, Dinesh Chandimal turns it to square leg region for a single.

21.1: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Tossed up, on middle, Dinesh Chandimal blocks.

20.6: Marco Jansen to Kamindu Mendis, On off, on a good length, Kamindu Mendis pushes it to backward point.

20.5: Marco Jansen to Kamindu Mendis, Length, outside off, Kamindu Mendis lets it go.

20.4: Marco Jansen to Kamindu Mendis, Testing delivery from Jansen! Short and angling into the batter, over middle with some extra pace and bounce. Kamindu Mendis keeps his eyes on the ball and sways away out of the firing line. 

20.3: Marco Jansen to Kamindu Mendis, On a good length, just around off, Kamindu Mendis taps it to backward point.

20.2: Marco Jansen to Kamindu Mendis, Short and way down leg, Kamindu Mendis leaves it alone.

Night watchman time? Who will come out to bat now? Kamindu Mendis is the new man. So no night watchman concept yet.

20.1: Marco Jansen to Angelo Mathews, OUT! LBW! A huge appeal for leg before and up goes the dreaded finger! Angelo Mathews has a word with his partner and decides to review. To be very honest it looks like Mathews is gone for all money! Marco Jansen comes from around the wicket and bowls it nice and straight, on a fuller than a good length and on middle and leg. The UltraEdge shows no spike and there is a huge gap between bat and pad. The Ball Tracking shows all three reds and Angelo Mathews's gritty knock of 25(42) comes to an end and Sri Lanka slip down to 82/3 needing 434 more runs to win. 

19.6: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Around off, pushed away.

19.5: Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews, Around off, Mathews works it wide of mid on for a single.

19.4: Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews, Fuller, around middle, pushed towards the bowler.

19.3: Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews, This is in line of the stumps, but Angelo Mathews goes back, opens the face of his bat and picks this from the line of the stumps to guide the ball towards short third. Maharaj smiles.

19.2: Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews, Around off, punched towards cover.

19.1: Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews, Landed around middle, watchfully defended.

It has gone properly overcast now. After what happened on the 5th ball of the 19th over, won't be surprised if the umpires prevent Temba Bavuma from using his pacers.

18.6: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, FOUR! Nice response! Short from Jansen again, this time Chandimal gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through mid-wicket!

18.5: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, OUCH! That was nasty. The ball was dug in short, around leg and Chandimal ducked for the length. But the ball shot low and hit him on the ribs. Good that he is wearing a chest guard.

18.5: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, On a good length, around off, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it towards gully. Oh dear. Another NO BALL. Also pointed by the third umpire again.

18.4: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Outside off, on a good length, angling away, left alone.

18.3: Marco Jansen to Angelo Mathews, A short ball, down the leg side, Mathews swivels and pulls it through fine leg. The ball races away but Gerald Coetzee does well to rush to his right from deep backward square leg, stopping the ball with a tumble. A single taken.

18.2: Marco Jansen to Angelo Mathews, Landed around middle, defended solidly.

18.1: Marco Jansen to Angelo Mathews, On a good length, around off, Angelo Mathews hops across and defends it to the leg side.

More clouds filtering in. The floodlights are being switched on as well. Never a good sign, especially towards the close of play.

17.6: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Full, around off, defended down the track.

17.5: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Beautifully bowled. Flighted, outside off, pace taken off, Dinesh Chandimal looks to drive, but is beaten in the flight and misses the ball. Excellent take by the keeper, Kyle Verreynne, whipping off the bails in a flash as well.

17.4: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Fuller, around middle, blocked down the track.

17.3: Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews, A touch short, around middle, bounces steeply. Angelo Mathews pushes it through the covers for a single.

17.2: Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews, Action replay of the previous delivery.

17.1: Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews, Fuller, around middle, pushed down the track.

16.6: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Outside off, pushed away.

16.5: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, A short ball now, ducked under.

16.4: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Around off, angling away, left alone.

16.4: Marco Jansen to Angelo Mathews, On a good length, around middle, Angelo hops and tucks it towards fine leg for a single. There we go again. NO BALL signalled for overstepping, coming from the third umpire.

16.3: Marco Jansen to Angelo Mathews, Around off, pushed towards mid on.

16.2: Marco Jansen to Angelo Mathews, On a good length, around off, shaping away, Mathews pushes it towards cover.

16.1: Marco Jansen to Angelo Mathews, A short ball, around middle, Angelo Mathews helps it towards short leg.

Plenty of oohs and ahhs in that over, especially by the keeper, Kyle Verreynne. There was absolutely nothing happening, but all these are tactics, just to keep the batters nervous. Another issue with the sightscreen, this time for Mathews. Sorted now.

15.6: Keshav Maharaj to Dinesh Chandimal, Around off, flighted, fuller, Dinesh Chandimal drives it towards cover.

15.5: Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews, Flatter, arm ball, outside off, Angelo Mathews punches it towards Tristan Stubbs at cover, who is a bit deep. Single taken.

15.4: Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews, A touch short, around middle, AM pushes it down the track.

15.3: Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews, Fuller, around middle, Angelo pushes it down the ground but extra cover chips in.

15.2: Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews, Maharaj changes the angle and comes around the wicket. Tosses it around middle, Mathews defends again.

15.1: Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews, Full, around middle, Angelo Mathews defends.

DRINKS BREAK. Well, wickets have not fallen but it has been an exciting start for the Lankans with the bat nevertheless. Chasing 516, they are flying at almost 5 runs an over, trying to be positive. South Africa probably have been a bit desperate in trying to get breakthroughs, already burning out 2 out of their 3 allotted reviews pretty early. The bowling has been good, but there is some lack of discipline. 22 overs are left in the day, but doubt whether we will be able to get all of those in. It is certainly not as bright today as it was yesterday. Keshav Maharaj is warming up. So either he is trying to influence his captain to give him the ball or Temba Bavuma has asked him to be ready. Was not required at all in the first innings. Here he comes now.

14.6: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, A beauty to end the over! Bowls it just outside off, on a length and gets it to straighten back with some extra bounce off the deck. Dinesh Chandimal has a feel for it but gets beaten on the outside edge. 

14.5: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Nice shot but will not fetch Chandimal any run! Jansen digs it short and outside off, Dinesh Chandimal quickly reads the length and nails his pull along the ground but straight to mid-wicket. 

14.4: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Nice and full at the stumps, Dinesh Chandimal with very soft hands turns it across to mid-wicket. 

14.3: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, Fuller, around middle, pushed back down the track.

Another stoppage. The sightscreen is giving issues to both, Chandimal and Mathews. The problem is, the screen is black and with the red ball, it is causing a problem. There is a white cloth which is there to be draped, but every now and then, the ground staff keeps forgetting to drape it over the black screen.

14.2: Marco Jansen to Angelo Mathews, Around middle, Mathews tucks it through mid-wicket. He takes two but then, calls for the third on the throw. Excellent running.

14.1: Marco Jansen to Angelo Mathews, On a good length, outside off, angling away, Angelo Mathews shoulders arms.

Marco Jansen gets a change of ends. 3-1-4-0 so far.

13.6: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Bashes it into the deck, on a back of a length again, outside off this time. Dinesh Chandimal gets on top of his toes and dabs it out to gully.

13.5: Gerald Coetzee to Angelo Mathews, Hits the deck hard, on a short of a length, over off, Angelo Mathews hops back and tucks it to fine leg for a single.

13.4: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Good length, at the stumps, Dinesh Chandimal brings his bottom hand into play and wrists it to deep square leg for a single.

13.3: Gerald Coetzee to Angelo Mathews, Uppish... but safe! A quick short ball from Gerald Coetzee, around off, Mathews looks to pull but is hurried into the shot. Gets a top edge which flies in the air but does not carry to long leg or deep square leg, the two men in the deep for the hook or pull. A single taken.

13.2: Gerald Coetzee to Angelo Mathews, A tad overpitched, outside off, Angelo Mathews leans and drives it through the covers for a couple.

13.1: Gerald Coetzee to Angelo Mathews, Fuller, around off, pushed down the ground.

It is another thing that South Africa bowled with venom in the first innings and are still bowling with fire here, but something needs to be done about their discipline. They bowled 4 no balls in under 14 overs in the first innings while so far, they have already bowled 4 in roughly the same number of overs. Don't want to be in a position where you put in all the hard work, get the wicket, only for it to be overturned due to overstepping. Kagiso Rabada got that sting against Pathum Nissanka but luckily for his team, it did not matter much. But it cannot be spreading like an epidemic. Jansen in the first innings, Rabada now.

12.6: Kagiso Rabada to Angelo Mathews, On a length, on off, Angelo Mathews pushes it to mid off and gets a quick single.

12.5: Kagiso Rabada to Angelo Mathews, Digs it in short, on leg and gets the ball to shape further down leg. Angelo Mathews half ducks at it and Kyle Verreynne does well to leap to his left and grab it.

12.4: Kagiso Rabada to Angelo Mathews, Honing in at the stumps, fuller in length, Angelo Mathews gets his bat ahead and taps it back to the bowler.

12.3: Kagiso Rabada to Angelo Mathews, Landed around off, patted down the wicket.

12.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Similar ball, this time, Dinesh works it to the left of short leg and takes the single, as Temba Bavuma tidies up from mid on.

12.1: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, On a good length, around off, Chandimal hops and tucks it towards Tony de Zorzi at short leg.

12.1: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, On a good length, around off, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it to the off side. Another NO BALL by KG as the third umpire lets the onfield umpire know.

It has become slightly cloudy in the last few minutes. Yesterday was a cloudless day, with plenty of bright sunshine, but today, it seems like there are a few clouds in the sky. Potentially, we have around 90 minutes to go for the day, but Mike Haysman on air is not sure we can carry on till then, as it usually gets dark from 3 pm GMT.

11.6: Gerald Coetzee to Angelo Mathews, Back of a length, sliding down leg. Angelo Mathews hops inside and lets it go past.

11.5: Gerald Coetzee to Angelo Mathews, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries again! This is outside off, on a short of a good length, Angelo Mathews transfers his weight back and thumps it through the vacant cover-point region for another boundary. 

11.4: Gerald Coetzee to Angelo Mathews, FOUR! Boundaries continue to flow off Gerald Coetzee's over! Short of a length and over middle, Angelo Mathews rolls his wrists over the ball and pulls it all along the ground to square leg fence. 

11.3: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Outside off, coming in, Dinesh Chandimal works it towards short leg. Manages to get it past the fielder and takes the run.

11.2: Gerald Coetzee to Angelo Mathews, Fuller, around off, coming in a touch. Mathews pushes at it without moving his feet and gets a thick inside edge towards square leg. A single taken.

11.1: Gerald Coetzee to Angelo Mathews, On a length, outside off, angling away, Angelo Mathews shoulders arms.

10.6: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Lucky escape for Dinesh Chandimal! Fires it full, just outside off, Dinesh Chandimal looks to cut but gets an inside edge that goes past his legs to short leg.

10.5: Kagiso Rabada to Angelo Mathews, Angling in again, on leg, Angelo Mathews is late on his attempt to tuck it behind and misses. The ball goes off his pad and rolls behind to fine leg. A leg bye taken. 50 UP FOR SRI LANKA. 466 runs more needed.

10.4: Kagiso Rabada to Angelo Mathews, Angling in, on middle and leg, around the hips, Angelo Mathews squeezes it out and tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a brace,

10.3: Kagiso Rabada to Angelo Mathews, Fuller, around off, Angelo gets squared up again and pushes the ball towards cover.

10.2: Kagiso Rabada to Angelo Mathews, Similar ball, once again, Mathews commits into the push but then, he tries to take the bat away. Is still squared up as the ball beats the outside edge.

10.1: Kagiso Rabada to Angelo Mathews, On a good length, outside off, Angelo Mathews pushes at it away from his body and misses.

9.6: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, FOUR! A boundary to end the over! Yet again, a bit of width, outside off, on a back of a length, Dinesh Chandimal frees his arms and slices it well over gully for another boundary.

9.5: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, A bit short and on off, Dinesh Chandimal dabs it to gully.

9.4: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, FOUR! Width offered and Dinesh Chandimal pounces on it! Outside off, on a length, Dinesh Chandimal waits for the ball and cuts it over gully for a boundary.

9.3: Gerald Coetzee to Angelo Mathews, On a length, at the stumps, Angelo Mathews tucks it to mid on for one.

Angelo Mathews walks in at number 4, replacing Pathum Nissanka.

9.2: Gerald Coetzee to Pathum Nissanka, OUT! LBW! Gerald Coetzee comes back and gets the big wicket of Pathum Nissanka! His luck fades away and South Africa get two! He lands it on a hard length, angling it in, on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka shuffles a bit towards his off side and looks to work it on the leg side but fails to get bat on the ball. Gets hit right on the front pad and just above the knee roll. The umpire gives it out but Pathum Nissanka decides to challenge it. The UltraEdge shows nothing and the Ball Tracking comes up as three reds! The onfield call of OUT stays and Sri Lanka are 38/2, needing another 478 for victory!

9.1: Gerald Coetzee to Pathum Nissanka, On a good length, on off, Pathum Nissanka steers it to point. 

Adding more to the positive thought process, there is a thin line between being positive and being reckless. Sri Lanka were certainly confident entering this game, but one feels that the batters were a bit too loose in that first innings. You have switched on to a different continent, so you need to get adjusted to the conditions, especially the bounce. For that, you need to show some patience and hang in there, before playing your shots. Here too, they are going at more than 4 an over, but the will to stay there or just defend is not being seen.

8.6: Kagiso Rabada to Pathum Nissanka, Full and on leg, Pathum Nissanka looks to clip it off his pads but misses by the pace behind the ball. The ball clips him on the pads and rolls across as the batters take a single. Called Leg bye!

8.5: Kagiso Rabada to Pathum Nissanka, On a length, on middle, Pathum Nissanka keeps it out.

8.5: Kagiso Rabada to Pathum Nissanka, Would you believe it? Kagiso Rabada gets the wicket off Pathum Nissanka and the third umpire chips in to say it's a NO BALL! Puts in that extra effort and hits the deck hard, on a shorter length, angling it down leg, Pathum Nissanka on a ball that he should have let go tries to pull and gets a glove that goes to Kyle Verreynne who takes it well to his left. The Proteas start to celebrate and Nissanka starts to make his way out but all that for absolutely nothing. They now show the giant screen and there is some doubt among the players. The first replay seems to indicate that Rabada's foot might have just landed inside the line and Kyle Verreynne starts to protest. Temba Bavuma now has a chat with the umpire and they are almost in a process of taking a review for this. But umpire Saikat clears that, saying that they cannot take a review based on what they see on the giant screen. From what we can see, Rabada's foot landed on the line and the line belongs to the umpire. Sanath Jayasuriya heaves a sigh of relief in the dressing room.

8.4: Kagiso Rabada to Pathum Nissanka, A stifled appeal for caught behind and the umpire shakes his head. Oh hang on, Temba Bavuma sends it upstairs. This is short and over middle and off, Pathum Nissanka looks to pull but is early on his shot as the ball goes past the outside edge. The UltraEdge shows nothing and South Africa lose another review. However, Kagiso Rabada is fired up and did have a word or two to say to Pathum Nissanka!

8.3: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Angling into middle and leg, on a length, Dinesh Chandimal clips it to through mid-wicket for a single.

8.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Good length, on off, Dinesh Chandimal punches it to mid off.

8.1: Kagiso Rabada to Pathum Nissanka, A risky single! Hard length, on off, Pathum Nissanka just taps it in front of short mid-wicket and the batters set for a quick single. Bavuma charges to the ball, collects it well and throws at the stump with an under-arm push but fails to hit the target at the striker's end. If that had hit, Dinesh Chandimal would have been a goner!

Batting under pressure is like batting on quicksand. The harder you try, the deeper you get sucked in. That's why it is important to recognize the importance of the Bavuma-Stubbs partnership. They started slowly, but kept rotating the strike. Once they bedded in, then they started playing their shots. Playing positive cricket is not just scoring quick runs. It is exhibiting positive defensive technique and showing confidence in letting balls go, making the bowlers think what different can they do.

7.6: Gerald Coetzee to Dinesh Chandimal, Good length, on middle, Dinesh Chandimal tucks it to the leg side. 13 runs off Gerald Coetzee's first over!

7.5: Gerald Coetzee to Pathum Nissanka, Short of a length, on off, Pathum Nissanka dabs it in front of point and gets a single.

7.4: Gerald Coetzee to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries and that makes it three in this over already! A bit fuller and on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka flicks it beautifully off his pads and gets it over mid-wicket.

7.3: Gerald Coetzee to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Cannot bowl there to Pathum! Short and on middle, not very short to trouble the batter. Pathum Nissanka reads the length early and pulls it well over square leg for a boundary. 

7.2: Gerald Coetzee to Pathum Nissanka, Much better this time from Coetzee! Back of a length, over off, Pathum Nissanka blocks.

7.1: Gerald Coetzee to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Coetzee is greeted into the attack with a boundary! A genuine loosener from Gerald Coetzee as he bowls this wider on off and fuller, asking to be hit. Pathum Nissanka reaches out and slices it through cover for a boundary. 

It will be important on how Sri Lanka approach this target. Time and tide are against them but that does not mean they should throw in the towel. They can still play for pride and gain a lot if they bat positively in this innings. The second Test match is scheduled on Thursday, 5th December, 2024 in Gqeberha and say, if this game ends tomorrow, leaving one day for travel, it literally leaves them 2-3 days of planning for the next game. So there actually isn't much time. Whatever you can learn, do it now, in this innings and carry on the momentum into the next Test. Yes, the pitch will be different there but confidence is something which can never be defined theoretically. Even if batters cross 30s, everyone that is, till number 6, string in useful stands, you can kill time and gain a lot of confidence. Gerald Coetzee into the attack now.

6.6: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Hard length, into middle and leg, Dinesh Chandimal tucks it to the leg side.

6.5: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, FOUR! Beautiful shot! KG goes a bit fuller and on off, Dinesh Chandimal leans ahead and times his drive to bits of perfection to get it past mid off to his left. 

6.4: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Full, on off, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it in front of cover. Pathum Nissanka looks to sneak in a single but is sent back and rightly so! The last thing Sri Lanka would want at this moment is a run out!

6.3: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Outside off, on a fuller length. The ball shoots a bit more off the deck and shapes away as well. Dinesh Chandimal initially looks to poke at it but does well to withdraw his shot.

6.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, On a length, on off, Dinesh Chandimal blocks. 

6.1: Kagiso Rabada to Pathum Nissanka, Good length, on middle, Pathum Nissanka taps it to Temba Bavuma at mid-wicket and steals a quick run.

6.1: Kagiso Rabada to Pathum Nissanka, NO BALL! KG oversteps again! Steams in and bowls it nicely on a good length, on middle, Pathum Nissanka tucks it to mid-wicket and sets off for the run. He is sent back just in time as the fielder collects the ball and hits the stumps at the striker's end. 

5.6: Marco Jansen to Pathum Nissanka, Very full, on off, Pathum Nissanka nudges it to the right of point and gets a single.

5.5: Marco Jansen to Pathum Nissanka, Hard length, just outside off, Pathum Nissanka hops back and punches it off the inner half of his bat to mid off.

5.4: Marco Jansen to Pathum Nissanka, Jansen drags the length down and keeps it over off, Pathum Nissanka dabs it down the deck, back to the bowler.

5.3: Marco Jansen to Pathum Nissanka, On a good length, on off, Pathum Nissanka blocks it with real confidence, getting right behind the line. Holds his pose as well!

5.2: Marco Jansen to Dinesh Chandimal, And again! This is great running! Fuller this time from Jansen, on middle, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it to cover and gets off the mark with a quick single.

5.1: Marco Jansen to Pathum Nissanka, Tap and run! On a length, on off, Pathum Nissanka just knocks it in front of point and steals a quick single.

4.6: Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Chandimal, Landed around off, on a good length, Dinesh Chandimal defends watchfully. 3-1-10-1 for Rabada.

Dinesh Chandimal walks in at number 3, replacing Dimuth Karunaratne.

4.5: Kagiso Rabada to Dimuth Karunaratne, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A boundary previous ball boosted his confidence but a wicket next ball has boosted Rabada's confidence! Uncharacteristically loose from Dimuth Karunaratne. Rabada keeps this much closer to the bat but the line is well away from the off stump. Karunaratne reaches out for it, looking to push but only manages a thick outside edge. It flies straight to Tristan Stubbs at third slip who makes no mistake. Karunaratne departs for 4 and Sri Lanka are 12/1, needing another 504 for victory! 32.1 overs still left on Day 3.

4.4: Kagiso Rabada to Dimuth Karunaratne, FOUR! VIOLENCE! That will boost Karunaratne's confidence. Short from Rabada, outside off, Dimuth Karunaratne picks it up in a trice and pulls it over mid-wicket. Never looked to keep it down at any stage.

4.3: Kagiso Rabada to Dimuth Karunaratne, A short ball, around the hips, Karunaratne looks to tuck it away, but then thinks better of it. Just about manages to avoid the ball hitting the glove.

4.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dimuth Karunaratne, Around middle and off, angling away, Dimuth Karunaratne defends solidly.

4.1: Kagiso Rabada to Pathum Nissanka, Outside off, pushed through point for a single.

3.6: Marco Jansen to Dimuth Karunaratne, Outside off, comes in a long way, let through.

3.5: Marco Jansen to Dimuth Karunaratne, Around off, defended watchfully again by Dimuth.

3.4: Marco Jansen to Dimuth Karunaratne, Full and straight, Karunaratne defends watchfully.

3.3: Marco Jansen to Dimuth Karunaratne, Around middle, Dimuth Karunaratne pushes it towards mid on.

3.2: Marco Jansen to Pathum Nissanka, SPECTACULAR EFFORT FROM KYLE VERREYNNE! He is a hard man and is considering it as an opportunity lost. But it would be very harsh to call it a drop. A short ball, around middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka went for the pull and got a bit of a glove onto it. Perhaps that's why, the ball didn't fly away. It still went high and the keeper, Kyle Verreynne leapt full stretch to his left. Tried to stick out his right hand and the glove did touch the ball, but he couldn't quite hang on. Gets up and instantly shakes his head, disappointed with himself. A single taken.

3.1: Marco Jansen to Pathum Nissanka, On a good length, outside off, angling away, Pathum Nissanka lets it pass.

One of the keys to a good innings is to know how to leave balls. Because some balls will move away, some will come in and some will straighten. But not will hit the stumps. That will definitely enable you to judge the bounce on this pitch. Been just 3 overs but the Sri Lankan openers have started well in that aspect. Once you are confident in leaving the balls, you will be confident in playing them too.

2.6: Kagiso Rabada to Dimuth Karunaratne, Another huge shout for LBW, turned down. No thought about the review this time. Probably it pitched outside leg and there were two sounds as well. Again, pretty full, Karunaratne looked to flick but missed and was hit on the pads. Consecutive maidens.

2.5: Kagiso Rabada to Dimuth Karunaratne, Outside off, this is a touch wide, Dimuth Karunaratne does not bother with that.

2.4: Kagiso Rabada to Dimuth Karunaratne, Rabada is changing his angle slightly, trying to get the ball closer to the off stump. DK gets a short one and sways away.

2.3: Kagiso Rabada to Dimuth Karunaratne, Beautifully bowled. Rabada keeps this very straight, around middle and gets it to angle away from the left hander. Dimuth looks to defend but the ball stays low and squares him up, beating the outside edge.

2.2: Kagiso Rabada to Dimuth Karunaratne, Around off, Karunaratne pushes it towards point.

2.1: Kagiso Rabada to Dimuth Karunaratne, On a good length, outside off, Dimuth Karunaratne shoulders arms.

1.6: Marco Jansen to Pathum Nissanka, Around off, on a good length, left alone again. So what could have been a wicket on the very first ball, has been learnt from by Nissanka. No meddling with the remaining deliveries.

1.5: Marco Jansen to Pathum Nissanka, This is much closer to the off stump, straightens a bit as well, from a length. PN trusts the bounce and lets the ball pass.

1.4: Marco Jansen to Pathum Nissanka, On a good length, outside off, slanting away, Nissanka hops across and shoulders arms.

1.3: Marco Jansen to Pathum Nissanka, Around off, a touch too wide, left alone.

1.2: Marco Jansen to Pathum Nissanka, Full, outside off, shaping away, this time Pathum lets it pass.

1.1: Marco Jansen to Pathum Nissanka, On a good length, outside off, Pathum Nissanka looks to go for a big drive but misses.

Jansen will aim for strikes with the new ball.

0.6: Kagiso Rabada to Dimuth Karunaratne, Outside off, left alone.

0.5: Kagiso Rabada to Dimuth Karunaratne, Ooohh.... close call, close call for LBW, not out and referred upstairs! This looked very close. But where did it pitch? It was a full ball alright and Dimuth Karunaratne missed his flick, getting hit on the pads. South Africa appealed and Rabada convinced his skipper to take the review. Actually, stand-in skipper. Aiden Markram is doing the captaincy duties with Temba Bavuma off the field. Ball Tracker confirms it pitched outside leg. Review lost in the first over itself.

0.4: Kagiso Rabada to Dimuth Karunaratne, Fuller, aound off, Karunaratne drives it towards mid off.

0.3: Kagiso Rabada to Dimuth Karunaratne, Landed outside off, angling away, Dimuth Karunaratne shoulders arms.

0.2: Kagiso Rabada to Pathum Nissanka, Short, around off, Nissanka looks to flick but misses. The ball goes off his hips to the leg side and a leg bye is taken.

0.1: Kagiso Rabada to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! HANDSOME! Overpitched this time, outside off, Pathum Nissanka comes forward and drives it beautifully down the ground, through mid off. Off the mark in style!

Who will bowl from the other end? Marco Jansen of course! 7-fer in the first innings.

0.1: Kagiso Rabada to Pathum Nissanka, Drama first ball! Terrific nut to start. On a good length, outside off, Pathum Nissanka looked to defend but the ball jagged back in, cramped him for room and nearly cut him into half. It hit something on its way to the keeper and the Proteas appealed but Rabada was not sure. Temba Bavuma did not get much from the others so did not review. The replay indicates shirt but does not matter. NO BALL SIGNALLED, as Rabada overstepped! UltraEdge indicates the right arm.