Maharaj removes Karunaratne and Gunathilaka to begin Proteas fight



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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Keshav Maharaj made sure that South Africa had many more reasons to smile with the approach of tea on the first day of the second and final test here at SSC.

After a first session without a desk For the Proteas, things seemed tough with Sri Lankan openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Danushka Gunathilaka enjoying the conditions favorable to the batter.

However, Maharaj continued to skin and was rewarded when he pulled Karunaratne and Gunathilaka out in a short interval from each other. The two had already gone to their half-ages at that time, but it was certainly a great relief for visitors to see Karunaratne's back in particular.

The southpaw hit 53 – his third consecutive score of 50 and over – He raised his mark to 271 for the series before being overtaken by Kock counter keeper Quinton.

Gunathilaka seemed to be overwhelmed by emotion after reaching his half-century test, and played being brilliantly taken to the border by Kagiso Rabada. The fast bowling player showed great athleticism to cover the field in the outfield before rushing to complete the shot.

The Maharaj-Rabada partnership was successful shortly before the break when Kusal Mendis Maharaj's three wickets showed the spin value on the slow surface of the SSC and the Proteas could still not choose a second spinner specialist in this crucial test. South Africa must win this final test to level the series after Galle's disappointment last week

IOL Sport

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