||Desk Report||

South Africa bowlers struck back after Sri Lanka’s bowling rampage on the first day of the second Test on Thursday in Port Elizabeth. Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando claimed three wickets each and Dhananjaya de Silva picked up two wickets for Sri Lanka and restricted South Africa for 222.

But after that, Duanne Olivier and Kagiso Rabada took two and one wickets respectively that handed the visitors 60 for three at the stumps. Sri Lanka were trailing by 162 runs. The opener Lahiru Thirimanne (25*) and nightwatchman Rajitha (0*) will resume on day two.

The day was fully dominated by the fast bowlers and conditions were too difficult to batsmen after 13 wickets fell on a day. However, after choosing to bat first, Faf du Plessis’ men fell into a difficult situation due to disciplined bowling performance by Lankans seamers on a slow but well-grassed pitch. Vishwa Fernando removed opener Dean Elgar for 6 and the experienced Hashim Amla for the duck in his one over.

Then, Temba Bavuma (0) was run out for a second time in three innings as the hosts wobbled, before Markram and captain Faf du Plessis took the score to 73 before lunch. The captain added 25 runs before his departure. Aiden Markram, who scored 60 off 116, made another partnership of 57 runs with Quinton de Kock.  

After Markram’s dismissal, Quinton de Kock took the charge and continued his scoring. He along with Kagiso Rabada made the third mentionable partnership of 59 runs in the seventh-wicket-stand before his departure for 86, the highest score for the Proteas in the innings. Rabada added 22 runs. Among others, Wiaan Mulder scored 9, Keshav Mahraj 0, Duanne Oliver 0 and Dale Steyn 3 not out. South Africa posted 222 all out. Fernando took 3-62 while Rajitha picked up 3-67 and Dhananjaya de Silva claimed 2-15.

In the reply, captain Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne gave a good start for the visitors. But Rabada gave the first breakthrough for the hosts, sending back the Lankans skipper for 17. Then Duanne Olivier bowled Oshada Fernando for the duck and removed Kusal Mendis for 16. Sri Lanka scored 60-3 before the end of the day.

Brief Score

South Africa: 222

De Kock 86, Markram 60; Vishwa 3-62, Rajitha 3-67