|| Desk Report ||

Sri Lanka have a chance to make a new history in South Africa if they win or at least draw the second Test. The visitors have won the epic first Test by one wicket in Durban. They now need 137 runs to win the ongoing second Test. If they win or draw the match, they will become the first Asian nation who won a Test series in South Africa.

However, at the end of day two, eighteen wickets fell, the highest at this ground since 1914. Sri Lanka were 60 for two in the second innings, chasing a target of 197 runs. The hosts scored 222 and 128 respectively in their two innings. In reply, Sri Lanka scored 154 in the first innings and now trailing 132 runs in Port Elizabeth. Oshada Fernando (17*) and Kusal Mendis (10*) will push for victory on the third morning.

The visitors started their second innings just an hour before the stumps on Friday and took the score to 32 before Lahiru Thirimanne removed by Kagiso Rabada for 10. Then, just two runs later, another opener Dimuth Karunaratne dismissed by Duanne Olivier for 19.

Earlier in the morning, the visitors had resumed on 60 for three in their first innings. But they lost seven wickets for 94 runs as Rabada claimed 4-38 and Duanne Olivier took 3-61. Lahiru Thirimanne, who was 25 not out on the previous day, added only 4 runs before his departure. Then, Kasun Rajitha returned for 1 while Kusal Perera for 20 and Dhananjaya de Silva for 19. Niroshan Dickwella scored 42 runs, the highest in the Lankan innings. Among others, Suranga Lakmal scored 7 and Vishwa Fernando 0 not out. Lasith Embuldeniya didn’t bat due to the abs hurt.

South Africa came to the crease with 68-run-lead, but, got the early blow when Dean Elgar returned for 2 runs. After then, a steady stream of wickets fell, and the hosts slipped to 91 for five before tea. Hashim Amla (32) provided some resistance but others including Aiden Markram (18), Temba Bavuma (6), Quinton de Kock (1), Wiaan Mulder (5), Keshav Maharaj (6), Kagiso Rabada (0), Dale Steyn (0) and Duanne Olivier (6) failed. The skipper Faf du Plessis was unbeaten on 50. The Proteas forced to be bowled out for 128. Suranga Lakmal picked up 4-39 while Dhananjaya de Silva 3-36 and Kasun Rajitha took 2-20.

Brief scores

1^st Innings

South Africa: 222

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

Sri Lanka: 154/9

Dickwella 42, Rabada 4-38; Olivier 3-61