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Comment (Sri Lanka Sleeves)
72.4 T Shamsi at Sandakan, 2 races. 256/9
72.3 T Shamsi at Sandakan, No race. 254/9
72.2 T Shamsi at Sandakan, FOUR. 254/9
72.1 T Shamsi at Karunaratne, Full and around, drove halfway for a race. 250/9
71.6 K Maharaj at Sandakan, The drummer fails to put the stick on the ball. 249/9
71.5 K Maharaj at Sandakan, Full and nearby, closely watched. 249/9
71.4 K Maharaj in Sandakan, complete and outward, pushed directly to the cover. 249/9
71.3 K Maharaj at Sandakan, Outside, Sandakan rises to defend but misses. 249/9
71.2 K Maharaj at Karunaratne, A full ball in the middle, pbades in the middle of the wicket for a single. 249/9
71.1 K Maharaj at Karunaratne, Outdoors, hallmarked for cover. 248/9
70.6 T Shamsi at Sandakan, Full and around, stuck in the middle. 248/9
Change of angle now … around the wicket
70.5 T Shamsi at Sandakan, The drummer played that foot before and into the ground. 248/9
70.4 T Shamsi in Sandakan, complete and outside, leads directly to the cover. 248/9
70.3 T Shamsi in Sandakan, On the side of the legs, Lakshan misses his film and is hit on the leggings. 248/9
70.2 T Shamsi at Sandakan, full and out, Sandakan leans over and plays a crispy drive halfway. 248/9
70.1 T Shamsi at Karunaratne, Bizarre of Karunaratne. First, he pushes the ball towards the point and declines what would have been a simple simple. Then, when Dean Elgar returns a wild throw at the end of the non-attacker who is not saved, he takes the simple one. 248/9
69.6 K Maharaj at L Sandakan, middle, pushed to the middle. 247/9
69.5 K Maharaj in Sandakan, complete and outward, leads directly to the cover. 247/9
69.4 K Maharaj in Sandakan, Short and outer fof, turning away, Sandakan tries to cut but is beaten by the turn. 247/9
69.3 K Maharaj at Karunaratne, This time he bends down and goes through the square leg for a single. Strange. It goes to 140. 247/9
69.2 K Maharaj in Karunaratne, again complete, pbades in the middle of the gate. Dimuth starts running but changes his mind. 246/9
69.1 K Maharaj in Karunaratne, full and out, Karunaratne tries to flirt but misses and is hit on the leggings. An LBW call follows but dies pretty quickly. The impact was outside. 246/9
Keshav Maharaj at the cut also
68.6 T Shamsi at Sandakan, The ball hits the drummer very low on the leggings. 246/9
68.5 T Shamsi at Sandakan, the drummer led him in the middle of the match. 246/9
68.4 T Shamsi at Sandakan, the drummer failed to make contact and was hit low on the leggings. 246/9
68.3 T Shamsi at Sandakan, the drummer carries her off with a wrist shot. 246/9
68.2 T Shamsi at Sandakan, The drummer played that foot before and into the ground. 246/9
68.1 T Shamsi at Sandakan, On the side of the leg, moving away, moving away alone. 246/9
Tabraiz Shamsi is back. South Africa would be worried now …
67.6 D Steyn in Karunaratne, FOUR! Off the top edge but South Africa will not take care of it. They wanted Sandakan on strike and they have it now. A short ball, around the leg, Karunaratne pivots to shoot but gets an upper edge that sails on the goalkeeper at the fence behind. The stand is now worth 22. 246/9
67.5 D Steyn at Karunaratne, complete and outside, Karunaratne pushes him wide of midfield, leaves for a simple but changing of 39; opinion. Probably he should have taken that. 242/9
67.4 D Steyn at Karunaratne, Full in the middle, pbaded through the gate for a couple. 242/9
67.3 D Steyn at Karunaratne, the drummer works the lower leg. 240/9
67.2 D Steyn to D Karunaratne, A short bullet, fired towards the middle of the gate. 240/9
67.1 D Steyn in Karunaratne, in the middle, pbades in the middle of the wicket. 240/9
Some clutch problems now for Karunaratne. He lies on the ground while the physio hands him. To be honest, South Africa will not care too much. There are only 45 minutes remaining for the end of the match and neither Markram nor Elgar will want to fight now.
66.6 K Rabada in Karunaratne, clear of the track, Kagiso completely disrupts, DK must reach out and manage to pbad through a blanket for a race. 240/9
66.5 K Rabada to D Karunaratne, A small ball again, pulled to the long leg. No race taken. 239/9
66.4 K Rabada in Karunaratne, back on the side of the leg, Rabada follows him, shakes him and Dimuth must bend down to avoid injury. Falls on his back. 239/9
66.3 K Rabada in Karunaratne, full and in the middle, vigilantly defended towards the cover. 239/9
66.2 K Rabada to D Karunaratne, Another short ball, shot mid-window for a couple this time. 239/9
66.1 K Rabada at Karunaratne, A small bullet again, shot neatly but directly in the middle of the wicket. No single taken back. 237/9
66.1 K Rabada at Karunaratne, NO BULLS. Steyn flies over and kicks a short ball, Karunaratne pulls her through the square leg. Do not take the single. 237/9
65.6 D Steyn at Karunaratne, Now he arches back and deftly cup on the second empty briefs to the third man for a single. Go to 130. 236/9
65.5 D Steyn at Karunaratne, FOUR! My word, this man can play in this machine too? News to me. I thought that he only participated in blockathons. Go down the track, stay on the side of the ball, take it on the half-volley and crush it across the covers for a limit! The stand is worth 11 now. 235/9
65.4 D Steyn at Karunaratne, A bouncer in the middle, Sandakan ducks. 231/9
65.3 D Steyn at Karunaratne, Middle and Leg, tucked across the square leg for a single. 231/9
65.2 D Steyn at Karunaratne, complete and nearby, defended with vigilance. 231/9
65.1 Steyn D at Karunaratne, In the middle and off, a short touch, hit towards the cover. 231/9
64.6 K Rabada in Sandakan, Played halfway through the drummer. 231/9
64.5 K Rabada in Sandakan, The drummer played that foot before and into the ground. 231/9
64.5 K Rabada in Sandakan, WIDE. A capricious bouncer, outside, left alone. 231/9
64.4 Rabada at Sandakan, A worker in the middle, well dug. 230/9
64.3 K Rabada in Sandakan, Bouncer! The drummer ducks under the bouncer at the last moment. 230/9
64.2 K Rabada in Karunaratne, "I think that after taking hold, he rolled the ball in the grbad" are the words of the third referee. In simple terms, DEPOSITED. Sensational effort, however. A short ball on the outside, Karunaratne jumps on the track and hits it over the point. The fielder comes charging, takes the hook (according to my point of view) but is not too sure. The two referees then discuss one with the other and return it to the third referee, signaling it. Nigel has a longggggggggggggggggggggggg look and ends up ruling him in favor of the drummer. In addition, an interesting thing happens. The drummers take two points, but the referees quickly perceive that the second run was taken after the end of the take – from where it becomes a dead ball after that. So just one. Sandakan will face. 230/9
Did he take that? The soft signal is out. The defensive player is Dean Elgar. The melon is Kagiso Rabada. The third referee is Nigel Llong. Seems to be a decent catch, but then I am not the umpire or judge to make a verdict.
64.1 K Rabada in Karunaratne, A balloon runs around, Karunaratne and pivots and seeks to shoot but gets a lower edge through the square leg. 229/9
63.6 D Steyn at Sandakan, Full and bottom of the leg, cut across the square leg for a couple. 229/9
63.5 D Steyn at Sandakan, The drummer defends him from within the fold. 227/9
63.4 D Steyn at Karunaratne, Outside, pbaded the crossing point. 227/9
63.3 D Steyn at Karunaratne, Offside, a play and a mistake by Dimuth. 226/9
63.2 D Steyn at Karunaratne, defended from the back foot by the drummer. 226/9
63.1 D Steyn in Karunaratne, full and outside, Karunaratne goes down the track and hits hard but misses. 226/9
Dale Steyn is back.
62.6 K Rabada in Sandakan, Bouncer! The drummer does well to avoid it. 3 races and a wicket of the end. 226/9
62.5 K Rabada in L Sandakan, full and outside, Sandakan grows there with an open bat face and goes behind the point. Two runs taken. 226/9
Lakshan Sandakan is the last man. Can he hang out with Karunaratne to bring the total to 250?
62.4 K Rabada in Lakmal, OUT! It's a bad delivery. A short ball, in the middle and in the leg, Lakmal seems to fall back but the ball comes out of his gloves and his lobs straight in the air. The Lankan skipper has no idea where the ball is, but people at his side have a good idea. Quinton from Kock go ahead and take the plug. Someone had to appeal because the referee's finger was high. All I could see was just a celebration. The 5-iron for Rabada still on. A useful stand of 48 was broken. 224/9
62.3 K Rabada at Lakmal, a bouncer now, in the middle and offshore, of Lakmal ducks. 224/8
62.2 K Rabada at Karunaratne, Outside, pushed through the point for a single. 224/8
62.1 K Rabada at Karunaratne, Short Ball, Outer Leg, Karunaratne tries to hang but the ball pbades over the top edge. 223/8
61.6 K Maharaj at Lakmal, The drummer defended him by standing behind the line of delivery. 223/8
61.5 K Maharaj at Lakmal, full in the middle, pushed back to the bowling player. 223/8
61.4 K Maharaj at Lakmal, The drummer played it in the middle of the wicket. 223/8
61.3 K Maharaj at Lakmal, complete and nearby, defended with vigilance. 223/8
61.2 K Maharaj at Lakmal, FOUR BYES! Useful races. At the bottom of the leg, Lakmal misses his shot, the goalkeeper behind him is blinded and the ball beats both and runs up to the beautiful fence of the leg. It is now the highest partnership in the sleeves. Value 47. 223/8
61.1 K Maharaj at Lakmal, a full draw, outer leg, forehand on the square leg. 219/8
60.6 K Rabada at Karunaratne, complete and external, leads directly to mid-distance. 219/8
60.5 K Rabada at Karunaratne, TOP EDGE, SAFE! A rare judgment error of Dimuth. He seems to take this short ball but plays it a bit early. Gets an upper edge that rises high in the air. Keshav Maharaj comes running to his left from the deep square leg, puts in a slip but the ball lands short. Two runs taken. 219/8
60.4 Rabada at Karunaratne, excellent yorker in the middle and at sea, Karunaratne digs him towards the cover. 217/8
60.3 K Rabada in Karunaratne, complete and outward, pushed towards the cover. 217/8
60.2 K Rabada at Lakmal, At the bottom of the leg, Lakmal misses his shot and a kick is stolen. 217/8
60.1 K Rabada at Karunaratne, A short ball, in the middle, shot beautifully through the middle of the box for a single. 216/8
59.6 K Maharaj at Lakmal, again complete, carefully concealed. 215/8
59.5 K Maharaj at Lakmal, The drummer played that foot before and into the ground. 215/8
59.4 K Maharaj at S Lakmal, again complete, leads directly to mid-distance. 215/8
59.3 K Maharaj at Lakmal, Tossed up in the middle, defended back to the bowler. 215/8
59.2 K Maharaj at Karunaratne, Advance on delivery and knock him over to keep running. 215/8
59.1 K Maharaj at Karunaratne, Flying and full on the open sea, pushed back to the bowler. 214/8
BREAK OF BEVERAGES
58.6 K Rabada at Lakmal, The drummer led him to the middle of the course. 214/8
58.5 K Rabada in Karunaratne, in the middle, pbades in the middle of the ticket window for a race. 214/8
58.4 K Rabada to S Lakmal, Still punching across the line. Attempts for the single and dives in an ugly way to reach the other end. The defensive player also had a shy at the end of the bowler, but failed to find the target. 213/8
58.3 K Rabada at Karunaratne, Outside, hit through the covers for one. 212/8
58.2 K Rabada to D Karunaratne, A short ball, around, moving away, Karunaratne shoots, but puts him badly halfway through. 211/8
58.1 K Rabada at Karunaratne, full and nearby, defended with vigilance. 211/8
Kagiso Rabada is back. 9-1-35-3 up here. Shamsi was tiring …
57.6 K Maharaj at Lakmal, down a track at once and push her towards the middle. 211/8
57.5 K Maharaj at Lakmal, almost through! Full and on the outside, SL advance to defend but his bat hits his pad and the ball turns beyond the outer edge. 211/8
57.4 K Maharaj at Lakmal, Stand back and strike him to the cover. 211/8
57.3 K Maharaj at Lakmal, Lots of turns. Maharaj gives him a lot of loops and revolutions on this one, he makes it land outside, Suranga stays back to defend but the ball goes behind the outer edge. 211/8
57.2 K Maharaj at Lakmal, Fuller, around, defended with vigilance. 211/8
57.1 K Maharaj at Lakmal, Faster on the outside, a little short, Lakmal tries to cut but misses. 211/8
56.6 T Shamsi at Karunaratne, stands up, takes the whole ball and paddles it gently through the fine leg for a couple. 211/8
56.5 T Shamsi at Lakmal, dragged short, in the middle, pushed towards the middle of the gate for a race. 209/8
56.4 T Shamsi at Lakmal, This is at the bottom of the leg and the drummer leaves him alone. 208/8
56.3 T Shamsi at Lakmal, caught in the middle, Suranga tries to defend but misses and is hit on the leggings. 208/8
56.2 T Shamsi at Lakmal, full and out, Lakmal pushes him straight onto the ground. Keshav Maharaj crosses the midfield, slips but a year too early. Two runs taken. 208/8
56.1 T Shamsi to D Karunaratne, full and out, led through the covers for one. 206/8
55.6 K Maharaj at Lakmal, Tossed around off, Lakmal takes a good step and defends. 205/8
55.5 K Maharaj at S Lakmal, The dart in the middle, Lakmal tries to defend himself but gets a thick inside edge on his leggings. 205/8
55.4 K Maharaj at Lakmal, the drummer defends him from within the fold. 205/8
55.3 K Maharaj at Karunaratne, the drummer pushed the ball well close to the legs. A race has been added to the total. 205/8
55.2 K Maharaj at Karunaratne, He works again at mid-wicket for a splint. 204/8
55.1 K Maharaj at Karunaratne, Outside, Karunaratne's backside sweeps him past a point for a couple. 202/8
Keshav Maharaj is back on … after a long time.
54.6 T Shamsi at Lakmal, Full wave outside, smashed to the middle of the line. 200/8
54.5 T Shamsi at Karunaratne, full and out, pushed through the covers for one. 200/8
54.4 T Shamsi at Karunaratne, FOUR! Consecutive borders. A little short, around, turning, Karunaratne just help through the square leg. 199/8
54.3 T Shamsi at Karunaratne, FOUR! 8th century for Karunaratne in Tests, his 4th more than 50 points in his last 5 innings batting first! Nice way to get it too. Down the track, take the ball to the maximum and push it straight to the ground for a limit! The cloakroom is standing up and applauding. The two middle drummers embrace each other. Reason to smile, yes. But now, the Lankans must think about getting some sort of decent first-decent score. 195/8
54.2 T Shamsi at Karunaratne, In the middle, played right at the short court-gate. 191/8
54.1 T Shamsi at Lakmal, THREE BYES. Forget the races. Karunaratne is back on strike. Full and low leg, Lakmal looks like flick but misses. The ball turns from the rough, pbades in front of the drummer and the goalkeeper, escapes a lazy effort from Dean Elgar at the skate but still does not reach the ropes. Three races taken. 191/8
53.6 V Philander to Karunaratne, Around thence, firmly defended. Do not throw it away … 188/8
53.5 V Philander at Karunaratne, CLOSE !!! Very upright, in the middle and off, Dimuth looks to defend himself but gets a thick inner edge on his leggings. Could have rolled so easily on the stumps. 188/8
Ok … 99 times …
53.4 V Philander at Lakmal, Outdoors, played through the point for a single. 188/8
53.3 V Philander at Lakmal, complete and nearby, watched with attention. 187/8
53.2 V Philander at Lakmal, Outside, coming from afar, Lakmal seems to be flirting but lacking. The ball beats the inside edge and just shaves the stump! 187/8
53.1 V Philander at Karunaratne, complete in the middle, leads straight to the ground for a single. Goes to 99 … 187/8
52.6 T Shamsi at S Lakmal, FOUR! Glorious shot! A full bale on the outside, Lakmal leans and the middle wide shoot for a limit! 186/8
52.5 T Shamsi at Lakmal, complete and nearby, Suranga is trying to drive, but his left edge is thick. 182/8
52.4 T Shamsi at Lakmal, Tossed up generously around the leg, Lakmal plays all around him as he seeks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. 182/8
52.3 T Shamsi at Karunaratne, Moves at 98 … pushes him to the middle for a single. 182/8
52.2 T Shamsi at Karunaratne, full and out, leads directly to the middle distance. 181/8
52.1 T Shamsi at Karunaratne, Outdoors, played through the point for a couple. 181/8
51.6 V Philander at Karunaratne, Get off the track and have a hack. The ball comes out of the inner edge and goes to the thin leg. One taken. 179/8
51.5 V Philander at Lakmal, in the middle and in the leg, made an exit. 178/8
51.4 V Philander at Karunaratne, the drummer takes it off with a wrist shot. They take only one. 177/8
51.3 V Philander at Karunaratne, full and out, led to the middle distance. 176/8
51.2 V Philander at Karunaratne, the drummer shows the entire face of the bat and defends the ball from the back foot. 176/8
51.1 V Philander at Karunaratne, Full and nearby, defended with vigilance. 176/8
50.6 T Shamsi at Lakmal, Ball hits the drummer down on the leggings. A strong call from the bowler and fielders. The referee shows no interest in the call. 176/8
50.5 T Shamsi at Lakmal, the full throw to the outside, leads directly to mid-distance. 176/8
50.4 T Shamsi at Lakmal, Piche in the middle, Lakmal sought to defend but missed and was hit on the leggings. Shamsi appealed but the referee shook his head. The bowler and the captain were talking and there was perhaps a discussion on the inside board. Oh my god … replays do not detect any inner edges and Hawk Eye says the ball will hit the leg! 176/8
The captain is now in the middle – Suranga Lakmal
50.3 T Shamsi at Karunaratne, OUT! Gone by more than one yard. Poor Herath. Dimuth came down from the runway and ignited it. The attacker had come halfway to the track for the single. Herath meanwhile, was watching the ball and started running after seeing Dimuth halfway. Karunaratne stopped but continued to run. Herath started his locomotive, but after Philander arrived at the ball. All the fielder had to do was pick up and throw to the keeper who was doing the rest. Herath dipped and started coming back. He was almost near the border ropes when the decision was made. 176/8
Is it gone? De Kock looks confident. Herath seems to be in despair. The third referee will give the decision on the status of the pair …
50.2 T Shamsi at D Karunaratne, down the track and push her back to the bowler. 176/7
50.1 T Shamsi at Karunaratne, FOUR! INFLUENCE! Very rarely we use such words for Karunaratne. But he seems to have realized that the dashboard is not moving and that someone needs to do something about it – better be the sleeve man. Full and extinguished, Dimuth goes down and mows at the mid-wicket for a limit! 176/7
49.6 V Philander to Herath, defended from the front foot by the drummer presenting the entire face of the bat. 172/7
49.5 V Philander at Karunaratne, three in a row. Vernon continues to survey around, DK sought to defend but the ball straightened a touch and came out of the inside edge through the square leg. A race taken. 172/7
49.4 V Philander at Karunaratne, who seemed to be dead. Only for wood. It was pretty straight, Dimuth seemed to move this one but missed it. Was hit on the pads and Philander began to appeal, but then spotted the inside edge. 171/7
49.3 V Philander at Karunaratne, full and right, Karunaratne tries to defend but gets a thick inside edge on his leggings. 171/7
49.2 V Philander at Karunaratne, walking a few steps to pacer then arms. 171/7
49.1 V Philander to R Herath, A little short, in the middle, Herath swings and pulls him through the square leg for only one. Get the mark. 171/7
48.6 T Shamsi at Karunaratne, A short contact, shot through the middle-window for a splint again. 170/7
South Africa spends more time trying to dry the ball. Le champ extérieur a été jugé badez sec pour que le jeu puisse continuer mais il y a clairement de l'eau sur le terrain comme on peut le voir à partir de la réaction de Proteas …
48.5 T Shamsi à Karunaratne, Complet et sur le côté de la jambe, bien balayé pour un couple. 168/7
48.4 T Shamsi à Karunaratne, Très complet, aux alentours, surveillé de près. 166/7
48.3 T Shamsi à Karunaratne, Meilleur coup. Attend que le ballon arrive, c'est à peu près le même que le précédent et cette fois-ci, il a dépbadé le point arrière pour un couple. 166/7
48.2 T Shamsi à Karunaratne, court et à l'extérieur, coupé droit au but. 164/7
48.1 T Shamsi à Karunaratne, complet et à l'extérieur, ramené au quilleur. 164/7
47.6 V Philander à Herath, Le batteur l'a défendu en se plaçant derrière la ligne de l'accouchement. 164/7
47.5 V Philander à Herath, Un autre congé à l'extérieur. 164/7
47.4 V Philandre à Herath, pleine et autour du milieu, vigoureusement défendue. 164/7
47.3 V Philander à Herath, défendue du pied avant par le batteur présentant le visage entier de la chauve-souris. 164/7
47.2 V Philander à Herath, Dehors, badez large, laissé seul. 164/7
Rangana Herath est le nouvel homme au numéro 9, en remplacement de Dilruwan.
47.1 V Philander à Perera, OUT! Ma parole – qu'est-ce que c'était de Kock? Presque comme une session nette! Mais rien d'un échauffement de Philander. Il vient en courant, le bols droit sur l'argent, autour de, sur une longueur, puis le fait pour déplacer un contact. Dilruwan y pousse et obtient un avantage extérieur sain. Le ballon vole droit dans les gants de Kock qui le prend d'une seule main! Semble surpris et nous aussi. Alors pourquoi avez-vous besoin de spin des deux extrémités? Pas si les guichets tombent en succession rapide … 250e INTERNATIONAL WICKET POUR PHILANDER. 164/7
Vernon Philander est de retour à la coupe. On aurait pu penser que nous pourrions voir tourner les deux extrémités pour plus de temps …
46.6 T Shamsi à Karunaratne, Un contact court et autour, Karunaratne recule et le frappe contre le spin à travers le milieu -wicket pour une orthèse. Fin d'un succès réussi. 164/6
46.5 T Shamsi à Perera, Soulage une balle pleine pour s'allonger et pbader pour un simple. 162/6
46.4 T Shamsi à Perera, Shortish et au milieu, en tournant vers le bas, Perera ne parvient pas à mettre la batte sur la balle et est frappé sur le coussin de la cuisse. 161/6
46.3 Shamsi à Perera, JAMBE MANQUANTE! Trop de virages a sauvé Dilruwan. Nous avons tous été piégés là-bas. Une balle pleine à craquer atterrissant juste à l'extérieur et retournant pour battre l'avant défensive de Perera. Il le frappe sur les jambages, ils font appel et l'arbitre lève son doigt. Dilruwan opte pour le DRS et il trouve la balle manquante à la jambe. 161/6
Crier pour un lbw! Up goes the finger and Perera has reviewed it. Looks out. Let's see…
That was quick! The groundsmen have done a wonderful job in mopping up all the water on the covers. We are all set to get underway again. Dilruwan Perera has joined Dimuth Karunaratne in the middle. Tabraiz Shamsi to complete his over.
Update 1442 local – We're back. No rain we are hearing which is superb news. But the covers are still on and we can see some water on it. Won't be a prompt start, sadly. Stay with us for more updates.
…DAY 1, THIRD SESSION…
Outstanding session for the touring team. It was a mixed-bag play in the morning where the honours were shared. Things completely changed though after the Lunch break. The South African bowlers found their rhythm and snapped three wickets in the first hour. Kagiso Rabada once again was in his elements and bowled with a lot of venom, resulting in the wickets of Mathews and Roshen. Tabraiz Shamsi bowled relentlessly from one end and was very impressive. Given the nature of the pitch, the Lankans would be hoping that they somehow get to 250, if not more, but for that to happen, someone needs to give company to Karunaratne who is going strong and is 20 shy of a century. An exciting evening session awaits us, provided the rain stays away. Do join us in a short while.
We are getting the confirmation that early TEA has been taken. The conditions though have brightened up in the middle. Having said that, some dark and angry looking clouds are still lurking around. Let's keep our fingers crossed for a prompt start after the break.
With that wicket, the heavens have opened up. The players are rushing off the field as it's raining heavily all of a sudden. The groundsmen charge in to the centre with the covers and in no time, they have covered the playing area. Will we have any more play in this session? Stay with us to find out.
46.2 T Shamsi to N Dickwella, OUT! This was always on the cards with the ball spinning away from the southpaw. Shamsi tosses it up nicely and lands it full around off. Dickwella gets half-forward to defend but it turns away to catch the outside edge. Amla makes no mistake at first slip and the 42-run badociation has been broken. Brilliant bowling by the chinaman, he has been on song with his line and length, which is so unlike a wrist spinner. For Niroshan, it's a case of yet another start not getting converted. Must be frustrating for him. Also, did the movement near the boundary line by the groundsmen put him off? We hardly see him offering a straight bat in defense and he could have played this ball differently had there been no threat of approaching rain. These are all badumptions though. 161/6
46.1 T Shamsi to Dickwella, Turning away from the batsman but the length is on the shorter side. Dickwella rocks back and slaps it through cover-point for a couple of runs. 161/5
45.6 K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Flatter and shorter on off, it's been punched off the back foot to mid-wicket. No run to end the over. 159/5
45.5 K Maharaj to Dickwella, Goes down on one knee and sweeps it with the spin to long leg for a run. 159/5
45.4 K Maharaj to Dickwella, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 158/5
45.3 K Maharaj to Dickwella, Walks down to the pitch of the delivery and pushes it back to the bowler. 158/5
45.2 K Maharaj to Dickwella, Dickwella tries to be innovative. Receives a low full toss on off and he brings out the reverse sweep. Doesn't come from the middle of the bat but it still has enough to speed past Amla at first slip. By the time it has been retrieved in the deep, they take a couple of runs. 158/5
45.1 K Maharaj to Dickwella, Flighted and full outside off, driven off the front foot to the cover fielder. 156/5
44.6 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Floated full on off, turning away, Dimuth tries to flick but gets a leading edge towards point. 156/5
44.5 T Shamsi to D Karunaratne, Very full and on off, driven down the ground to mid off. 156/5
44.4 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Turning square off the pitch. Karunaratne gets back to defend but is beaten. 156/5
The groundsmen are making a move. It has turned gloomy now and maybe they are expecting some rain. Let's hope there is no interruption.
44.3 T Shamsi to Dickwella, Floated around off, it's been swept in front of square leg for a run. 156/5
44.2 T Shamsi to Dickwella, Sharp spin away from the batsman, Dickwella pushes at it and misses. 155/5
44.1 T Shamsi to Dickwella, Flighted and full on middle, Dickwella stays back when he should have been forward and defends it off the outer half of the bat to covers. 155/5
43.6 K Maharaj to Karunaratne, And again. The length continues to be very full from Keshav and it's getting easily driven. Karunaratne finds the gap at covers and picks yet another couple of runs in this over. 155/5
43.5 K Maharaj to D Karunaratne, Gives this one some extra air and lands it full outside off. Karunaratne drives it through covers and returns for the second run. 153/5
43.4 K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Advances down the track to a full ball and pushes it out towards the cover fielder. 151/5
43.3 K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Nicely played. Tossed up and around off, Karunaratne paddles it down to fine leg for a couple. 150 up for Sri Lanka! 151/5
43.2 K Maharaj to N Dickwella, Flighted and full on off, it's knocked down to long on for a run. 149/5
43.1 K Maharaj to Dickwella, Flatter full ball on off, Dickwella defends it with firm hands towards the bowler. 148/5
Keshav Maharaj is into the attack now, replacing Rabada.
42.6 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Well flighted and full on middle, hit across the line but straight to the mid-wicket fielder. 148/5
42.5 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Tossed up ball on off, defended near the front pad by Dimuth. 148/5
42.4 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, This time Shamsi fails to land his delivery. Karunaratne gets down on one knee and sweeps the full toss to deep mid-wicket for a brace. 148/5
42.3 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Superbly bowled. Turning away from the batsman outside off, Dimuth lunges to defend but is beaten. 146/5
42.2 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Extra flight but the length is too full on middle. It's been driven back to the bowler. 146/5
42.1 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Leans forward to a full ball and defends it with the spin to the off side. 146/5
41.6 K Rabada to Karunaratne, A length ball angling away from the batsman, Karunaratne taps it off his back foot towards the vacant space in the cover region. A single to end the over. Rabada seems to be tiring now. 146/5
41.5 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Bouncer around leg, Dimuth ducks underneath it. 145/5
41.4 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Straighter in line and this time it has been flicked nicely through square leg. A couple of runs taken. 145/5
41.3 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Pitches it full and on middle, Karunaratne falls over a bit on the off side as he flicks this one. Connection ain't entirely from the middle of the bat as it goes straight to mid-wicket. 143/5
41.2 K Rabada to Dickwella, Once again it's shortish in length around middle, Dickwella stays back inside the crease to present a straight bat in defense. It gathers the inside half of the bat and speeds through square leg for a run. 143/5
41.1 K Rabada to Dickwella, Back of a length ball on middle, defended off the back foot by Niroshan. 142/5
40.6 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Play and a miss! Shamsi delivers it short around off, seeing that, Karunaratne rocks back and attempts to pull. However, the ball spins away to beat his bat. Tabraiz smiles. 142/5
40.5 T Shamsi to D Karunaratne, Flighted on off, defended off the front foot. 142/5
40.4 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 142/5
40.3 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Fails to read the variation, Dimuth. A wrong 'un, landing on middle, Karunaratne is inside the crease, completely clueless as he misses the ball and is hit on the pads. They appeal but it's missing leg. 142/5
40.2 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Floated full ball on off, defended watchfully off the front foot by Karunaratne. 142/5
40.1 T Shamsi to Dickwella, Flatter, shorter and wider outside off. Spinning away. Dickwella delays his shot a bit and dabs it past backward point for a single. 142/5
39.6 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Short and wide outside off, DK cuts it off his back foot but finds the point fielder. 141/5
39.5 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Back of a length delivery on off, Karunaratne stands back inside the crease and whacks it through covers for a couple. Looks a lot badured while staying back and playing his shots, Dimuth. 141/5
39.5 K Rabada to Karunaratne, A wild delivery. Way wide outside off, left alone by the batsman and the umpire called it a wide. First extra of this innings. 139/5
39.4 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him. 138/5
39.3 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Short and on middle, pulled down to fine leg where Shamsi made a tumbling stop. A couple taken again. 138/5
39.2 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. Two runs added to the total. 136/5
39.1 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Good length ball outside off, Karunaratne punches it off his back foot to covers. 134/5
38.6 T Shamsi to Dickwella, Too full and on leg, swept behind square leg for a couple of runs. 134/5
38.5 T Shamsi to Dickwella, Peach of a delivery. Drifting into the batsman around off, Dickwella once again is beaten as he tries to defend but the ball spins away from his willow. 132/5
38.4 T Shamsi to Dickwella, Nothing but daylight. Waste of a review. Faf really should be unimpressed with his keeper. A delivery spinning away from the batsman, Dickwella tries to defend off his front foot but misses. It spins and bounces past his bat, de Kock collects it and jumps in joy. The bowler also joins him in appealing but the umpire refuses. Du Plessis opts for the DRS after listening to Quinton but only disappointment came after that for South Africa. 132/5
Shout for a caught behind. Not given. Quinton de Kock though is very sure and convinces his skipper to go for the DRS. The way they are celebrating, it seems there was an outside edge. Let's see…
38.3 T Shamsi to N Dickwella, Uppish but safe. Turning into the batsman, from a fuller length, Dickwella flicks it across the line but not with much conviction. It loops in the air but doesn't carry to mid on. 132/5
38.2 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Flighted and full on off, driven through covers. Karunaratne set off for a run but his partner is ball-watching. So, he also decides to watch the ball as de Kock screams Temba! Temba! But before anything else happens, Dickwella rushes across, responds to the call and makes it safely to the other end. 132/5
38.1 T Shamsi to Dickwella, In the air… safe! Dickwella is living dangerously. A flighted full ball just outside off, spinning away, Niroshan tries to sweep it across the line but gets a top edge. It flies over the keeper and past the outstretched right hand of Hashim Amla (first slip). Runs behind and they take three runs. 131/5
Drinks break. A fine hour post Lunch for South Africa. They have picked three wickets in quick time and are on top. Cannot afford to relax though as every run scored on this pitch will be crucial. Needless to say, Sri Lanka need someone to stick around with Karunaratne. Let's see what the next hour has in store for us.
37.6 K Rabada to Karunaratne, FOUR! Easy pickings! Rabada errs in his line and slips a full ball down the leg side, Karunaratne neatly deflects it off his pads to the fine leg fence. 128/5
37.5 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Rabada is in excellent rhythm at the moment. Bangs in yet another bouncer, nicely directed, Dimuth ducks. 124/5
37.4 K Rabada to Dickwella, Played to the point region by the batsman. They've managed to run three. 124/5
37.3 K Rabada to Dickwella, Back of a length delivery on middle, defended off the back foot. 121/5
37.2 K Rabada to Dickwella, Boom on the helmet. Rabada is mixing his length quite well. Digs it in short, well-directed, Niroshan takes his eyes off the ball as he tries to get away from the line. Takes a blow on his helmet this time. A very uneasy stay in the middle for the Lankan wicketkeeper. 121/5
37.1 K Rabada to Dickwella, Not out! It's indeed pitching outside leg. A sharp delivery, speared in, Dickwella is stuck inside the crease, his feet went nowhere as he tried to flick. Got beaten for pace, missed the ball completely to get hit on the pads. Looked dead to the naked eye and the finger went up after the appeal. Dickwella took the DRS and the replays showed it to be landing outside leg. A reprieve to ND all thanks to the technology. 121/5
Huge shout for an lbw and up goes the finger. The South Africans are celebrating but Dickwella wants it to get reviewed. Pitching outside leg?
36.6 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Flighted full ball on off, turning in, Karunaratne leans forward and defends it off the inner half of the bat. 121/5
36.5 T Shamsi to Dickwella, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single. 121/5
36.4 T Shamsi to Dickwella, Flighted and outside off, going straight on, Dickwella goes down to slog sweep but misses. 120/5
36.3 T Shamsi to Dickwella, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 120/5
36.2 Shamsi to Dickwella, What happened there? Tossed up ball on off, turning in with some extra bounce, Dickwella tries to sweep but misses. It hits his gloves and deflects onto his helmet. The extra protection behind the helmet comes off on the impact. The ball rolls towards Markram at short leg who has an immediate shy at the striker's end. No harm done. 120/5
36.1 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Short and wide outside off, punched to sweeper cover for a single. 120/5
35.6 K Rabada to Dickwella, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. End of a superlative over by KG, a double-wicket maiden! 119/5
35.5 K Rabada to Dickwella, Another back foot defense by Dickwella. 119/5
35.4 K Rabada to Dickwella, Good length ball on middle and off, defended off the back foot. 119/5
Niroshan Dickwella arrives in the middle.
35.3 K Rabada to R Silva, OUT! Rabada is a special, special bowler. An effort delivery by him. He bends his back and lets out a roaring rising delivery around off. Roshen has never seen the ball jumping on so much in Sri Lanka. He is caught in an awkward position as he goes on his toes to fend at it. The ball takes the splice of his bat and loops towards short leg. Markram is alert there and stretches low to his right to take the catch safely. Rabada smiles, third scalp for him. 119/5
35.2 K Rabada to Silva, Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him. 119/4
Roshen Silva is the new batsman. Dark clouds are also approaching the stadium.
35.1 K Rabada to Mathews, OUT! An inspirational bowling change by Faf du Plessis and Kagiso Rabada has nipped out Angelo Mathews. He bowls it on a length around off, Angelo is stuck inside the crease as he tries playing at it with an angled bat as the ball moves away. Very unsure from the former Lankan skipper as he nicks it behind for Quinton de Kock. A very simple catch for the Protea keeper and Rabada has two. 119/4
Kagiso Rabada is back on.
34.6 T Shamsi to D Karunaratne, Fullish on off, driven down the ground to mid off. Just the second maiden of this innings. 119/3
34.5 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Karunaratne has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 119/3
34.4 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Full and landing on leg, turning towards off after that as Karunaratne attempts to flick. He closes the face of the bat early and it pops out off the leading edge. Doesn't carry to anyone. 119/3
34.3 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Tossed up ball landing full outside off, Karunaratne leans to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. 119/3
34.2 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Dropped! Never easy at short leg. These kind of chances stick or they don't. Flighted and full ball on middle, it's flicked across the line and is uppish. Markram tries to catch it but it hits his body and dies down before he could react. 119/3
34.1 T Shamsi to D Karunaratne, Short and outside off, cut from the back foot but straight to the cover-point fielder. 119/3
33.6 D Steyn to Mathews, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 119/3
33.5 D Steyn to Mathews, A length ball on off, angling in, Mathews remains inside the crease as he defends it back to the bowler. 119/3
33.4 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Lands it full and outside off, some extra bounce, Karunaratne presses forward and drives it on the up towards the cover region. Un seul pris. 119/3
33.3 D Steyn to Mathews, Short again, on middle, Mathews eases it down to long leg and crosses. 118/3
33.2 D Steyn to Mathews, A touch short and on off, this time Mathews taps it down comfortably towards short leg. On one bounce to Markram it goes. 117/3
33.1 D Steyn to Mathews, Bangs in a shortish ball on middle, Mathews takes his eyes off the ball and somehow keeps it out on the leg side. 117/3
32.6 T Shamsi to D Karunaratne, Flighted and full on middle, driven with the spin but straight to the cover fielder. 117/3
32.5 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Loopy and on middle, Karunaratne is solid in his front foot defense. 117/3
32.4 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Nicely flighted this time. Full and on off, spinning a bit away, Dimuth defends it off his front foot. 117/3
32.3 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Very full and on middle, driven down the ground past the bowler to mid off. 117/3
32.2 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Once again the line is too straight and it has been worked fine down the leg side for a couple of runs. 117/3
32.1 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Tossed up ball on middle, flicked on the leg side but straight to the fielder. 115/3
31.6 D Steyn to Mathews, On a shortish length around off, Mathews defends it off his back foot to the off side. 115/3
31.5 D Steyn to Mathews, A length ball on off, Mathews defends it off his back foot to the leg side. 115/3
31.4 D Steyn to Mathews, Mathews lets the ball go outside his off stump. 115/3
31.3 D Steyn to Mathews, Greets the new batsman with a well-cooked bouncer. Mathews ducks. 115/3
In walks Angelo Mathews.
31.2 D Steyn to Mendis, OUT! Soft dismissal! Steyn strikes and roars in delight. He delivers it on a fuller length around middle, maybe it sticks a bit on the pitch as Mendis is early into the flick shot. Ends up chipping a straightforward catch to Kagiso Rabada at mid on. A nothing shot in the end and it brings the curtains down on Kusal's knock. So, this is the second wicket falling more due to the badistance from the pitch than anything else. Such deliveries usually get badped through mid-wicket for a boundary. 115/3
31.1 D Steyn to Mendis, Good length delivery around off, it's punched off the back foot and the ball rolls through point for a couple of runs. 115/2
30.6 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Loopy and drifting in around off, Karunaratne strides forward and defends it near his front pad. 113/2
30.5 T Shamsi to Mendis, Another flick shot by Mendis and this time he finds the gap at mid-wicket for a single. 113/2
30.4 T Shamsi to Mendis, Flighted and full on off, defended off the front foot. 112/2
30.3 T Shamsi to Mendis, Nicely tossed up again, full and on middle, it's flicked past short leg. Finds backward square leg. 112/2
30.2 T Shamsi to Mendis, Floated full ball on off, spinning back in, Mendis lunges and defends it off the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket. 112/2
30.1 T Shamsi to Mendis, Turning down the leg side, Kusal tries to flick but misses. The line has been quite inaccurate from Shamsi. 112/2
29.6 D Steyn to Karunaratne, FOUR! Fine, fine shot! A fractionally short of a length delivery outside off, angling away, Karunaratne stands tall inside the crease and pulls it powerfully through mid-wicket for a boundary. 112/2
29.5 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Spears it very full on middle, Karunaratne keeps it out safely at mid on. 108/2
29.4 D Steyn to Mendis, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. 108/2
29.3 D Steyn to Mendis, Zippy delivery, leaving the batsman outside off, Mendis has a poke at it but misses. 107/2
29.2 D Steyn to Karunaratne, 15th Test fifty fir Dimuth Karunaratne! Full and around off, angling away, Dimuth plays a punch drive through covers and takes a single. Good knock so far by him. He raises his bat to acknowledge the applause from his teammates. 107/2
29.1 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Fullish and on off, driven back to the bowler. 106/2
28.6 T Shamsi to Mendis, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 106/2
28.5 T Shamsi to Mendis, Is that a catch? Nopes, it isn't. For a moment, the on-air commentators got excited. Flatter full ball on off, Mendis tries to drive but it spins back in to take the inside edge. On one bounce it goes to Markram at short leg but de Kock ain't aware of it and shouts catch itttt. Aiden shows no excitement at short leg though. 106/2
28.4 T Shamsi to Mendis, Flighted and full outside off, Mendis drives it back towards the bowler. 106/2
28.3 T Shamsi to Mendis, A loopy full ball landing on leg and spinning down, Mendis tries to flick but misses. Another good take by de Kock. 106/2
28.2 T Shamsi to Mendis, Tossed up ball on off, turning in, it's defended off the back foot. 106/2
28.1 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Short and spinning away after landing outside off, Karunaratne slaps it to sweeper cover for one. 106/2
27.6 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Short and on middle, pulled in front of square leg for one. 105/2
27.5 D Steyn to Karunaratne, FOUR! Off the gloves, beating the despairing dive from Quinton de Kock. A well-directed short ball by Steyn, Karunaratne tries to pull but it takes his gloves and flies past the diving keeper to the fine leg fence. Dimuth seems to have hurt his fingers but is ready to face the next ball. Maybe, will ask for physio after the over ends. 104/2
27.4 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Digs in a bouncer around leg, Dimuth ducks underneath it. 100/2
27.3 D Steyn to Karunaratne, FOUR! Serves it full and outside off, Karunaratne pushes at it with firm hands and places it through the gap between gully and backward point for a boundary. 100/2
27.2 D Steyn to Mendis, Lands it on a length around off, shaping back in a bit, Mendis softly works it through mid-wicket for a run. 96/2
27.1 D Steyn to Mendis, Back of a length ball on off, defended off the back foot to mid-wicket. 95/2
Interesting. South Africa have decided to bowl pace from one end. Dale Steyn it is. A couple of slips in place.
26.6 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, A bit flatter through the air, full and on middle, spinning away, DK defends it by getting forward. Not quite from the middle of the bat. 95/2
26.5 T Shamsi to D Karunaratne, Extra flight this time as it lands very full on off. Dimuth drives it back to the bowler. 95/2
26.4 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Full again, around off, Karunaratne lunges and defends it back. 95/2
26.3 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Turning away from the batsman after landing full outside off. Dimuth picks it well and lets it through to the keeper. 95/2
26.2 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Tossed up ball on middle, Karunaratne defends it off his front foot. 95/2
26.1 T Shamsi to D Karunaratne, Starts the session with a short delivery outside off, Karunaratne rocks back and cuts it with the turn to deep point. It slows down before the rope as the sweeper cover fielder picks it up and sends the throw to the keeper. Un couple pris. 95/2
Welcome back for the afternoon session. The players march out to the middle. Once again a quick huddle for South Africa before they spread on the field. So, what to expect in this session from the Proteas? Spin, spin and some more spin. Starting with Tabraiz Shamsi. Here we go…
…DAY 1, SECOND SESSION…
There is plenty in the pitch for the spinners and expect Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi to dominate proceedings after the Lunch break. Dimuth Karunaratne has applied himself superbly and Sri Lanka will hope that he bats long. Kusal Mendis has looked a bit uneasy although he is striking at almost run-a-ball. South Africa will be worried already but they cannot afford to think too ahead. First thing first, their aim will be to restrict the home team to a low first innings total. Will they succeed? Do join us in a short while to find out.
Mixed session! Sri Lanka scored runs, 93 to be precise and South Africa picked up a couple of wickets. The hosts after electing to bat started well with their openers looking comfortable. Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn weren't accurate with their lines and conceded runs at a quick pace. It was Kagiso Rabada and his clbad which brought South Africa their first wicket. The second wicket was more due to the turn on offer from the pitch as Dhananjaya lost his stumps.
25.6 K Maharaj to Mendis, FOUR! Some starter before Lunch by Maharaj (In India a cook is called a maharaj)! Friendly full toss on off, Mendis kneels and nails his sweep shot through mid-wicket for a boundary. The umpire takes the bails off and the players are leaving the field. LUNCH ON DAY 1! 93/2
25.5 K Maharaj to Mendis, Beauty! Drifting into the batsman and landing full around off, Mendis has to play at it but gets beaten due to the away spin. 89/2
25.4 K Maharaj to Mendis, Loopy and full around off, driven of the front foot towards silly mid off. 89/2
25.3 K Maharaj to K Mendis, The length is on the shorter side outside off, it's cut off the back foot through point. Bavuma chases it down and the batsmen cross for a couple. 89/2
25.2 K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Steps down the track and knocks it down to long on for one. 87/2
25.1 K Maharaj to Mendis, Flighted and on off, driven through covers for a single. 86/2
24.6 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Slight spin away from the batsman, Karunaratne stays back and punches it square of the wicket on the off side. Dot ball to end the over. 85/2
24.5 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Karunaratne has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 85/2
24.4 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Turning down the leg side, Dimuth tries to flick but misses. 85/2
24.3 T Shamsi to Mendis, Tickles it off his pads through mid-wicket and crosses for a run. 85/2
24.2 T Shamsi to Mendis, That went too quickly to short leg. Mendis bads his flick shot across the line and it hits Markram flush on his left shin pad and rolls in the opposite direction. No time to react. 84/2
24.1 T Shamsi to Mendis, FOUR! Shamsi drags his length short and it's going down the leg side. Mendis gets back to pull and in spite of it staying low, he puts it away through backward square leg for a boundary. 84/2
Dale Steyn returns on the field.
23.6 K Maharaj to D Karunaratne, Gets forward to defend and keeps it out from the inside half of the bat. 80/2
23.5 K Maharaj to Mendis, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. One run added to the total. 80/2
23.4 K Maharaj to Mendis, Goes down on one knee for the sweep shot but it takes the bottom half of the bat and rests on the surface. 79/2
23.3 K Maharaj to Mendis, Very full and on middle, flicked on the leg side but straight towards short leg. On one bounce. 79/2
23.2 K Maharaj to Mendis, Too full in length on middle, Mendis keeps it out towards short leg. 79/2
23.1 K Maharaj to Mendis, Loopy and on off, pushed with an angled bat towards point. 79/2
Heinrich Klaasen is on the field as Dale Steyn has gone back to the pavilion.
22.6 T Shamsi to Mendis, Quietly eases it down through mid on for a run. 79/2
22.5 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Strides forward and drives it down to long off for one. 78/2
22.4 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Flatter on off, blocked off the back foot. 77/2
22.3 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, A floated one on off, driven off the front foot to covers. Shamsi won't mind that shot with the ball turning square. 77/2
22.2 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Plays with the spin on this occasion and pushes it out to covers. 77/2
22.1 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Flighted and outside off, turning away, Karunaratne tries playing at it but is beaten by the away spin. 77/2
21.6 K Maharaj to Mendis, Flatter on off, defended off the back foot. 77/2
21.5 K Maharaj to Mendis, FOUR! Loopy delivery spinning down the leg side, Mendis gets down on one knee to play the sweep shot but fails to make proper connection. It beats de Kock behind the stumps and races away to the fine leg fence. The umpire signals it as runs and the replays pick a bit of Mendis' gloves. Hmm… not a convincing way to reach the milestone but still a big achievement. 2000 Test runs for Kusal! 77/2
21.4 K Maharaj to D Karunaratne, Tossed up outside off, driven towards mid off for a run. 73/2
21.3 K Maharaj to Mendis, Very full on middle, eased behind square leg for a single. 72/2
21.2 K Maharaj to K Mendis, Flighted and full on middle, Mendis wristily works it down to mid on. 71/2
21.1 K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Too full and on off, pushed down to long on for one. 71/2
20.6 T Shamsi to Mendis, Spinning back in from around off, Mendis goes inside the crease and keeps it out at the last moment. 70/2
20.5 T Shamsi to Mendis, Mendis has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 70/2
Kusal Mendis is the number 4 batsman.
20.4 Shamsi to de Silva, OUT! Through the gate! Shamsi is delighted and runs in joy. Brilliant delivery. Generously tossed up just outside off, landing on a fuller length, de Silva tries to drive it through covers but it spins back in big time, beats the inside part of the bat and hits the top of off stump. Dhananjaya has a surprised look on his face, smiles a bit before leaving the ground. So much turn on this delivery, alarming for South Africa also as Sri Lanka possess three quality spinners in their ranks. Add to that, the Proteas will be batting last on this deck. 70/2
20.3 T Shamsi to D Karunaratne, Drives it with the spin down to deepish mid off for a run. 70/1
20.2 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Presses forward to a full ball and defends it down. 69/1
20.1 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Karunaratne has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 69/1
19.6 K Maharaj to Silva, Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 69/1
19.5 K Maharaj to Silva, Maharaj is a superb fielder off his own bowling. An off drive by Dhananjaya this time and Keshav flies to his left to stop the ball. 69/1
19.4 K Maharaj to de Silva, Hammers a full ball back towards the bowler who dives across to his right to stop the ball. Very well done. 69/1
19.3 K Maharaj to Silva, Arm ball on off, skidding in, Dhananjaya keeps it out from the back foot. 69/1
19.2 K Maharaj to Silva, Floated and full on middle, blocked off the front foot back towards the bowler. 69/1
19.1 K Maharaj to Silva, Dances down the track to take it on the full but mishits it towards short leg. De Kock shouts catch it as he thought it went off the boot. Nothing such in the replays. 69/1
Change of ends for Keshav Maharaj.
18.6 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Drops it short this time, on middle, Karunaratne pulls it to deep mid-wicket. Rabada rushes across to his right from fine leg and slides to stop the ball. A couple of runs taken. 69/1
18.5 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Spinning away from the southpaw, Karunaratne tries to cut but misses. 67/1
18.4 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Once again Dimuth plays it with the spin back towards the bowler. 67/1
18.3 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Gets forward to a full ball and drives it towards mid off. 67/1
18.2 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Dimuth has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 67/1
18.1 T Shamsi to Karunaratne, Tossed up ball outside off, spinning away, Karunaratne defends it off his back foot. 67/1
Tabraiz Shamsi into the attack. Interesting change, unless it's for swapping ends. Keshav got good purchase.
17.6 K Rabada to Silva, Outside off, left alone to end a fantastic over. 67/1
17.5 K Rabada to Silva, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 67/1
17.4 K Rabada to Silva, Bumper! A well-directed one. On a lifeless pitch. Rabada is a special bowler. Making a Galle pitch look like a Durban one. Extracts extra pace and bounce and catches de Silva in an awkward position. He shapes up for the pull shot initially but then tries to bail out. But by then it has taken his gloves and gone wide of short leg. Markram reacts to his left but fails to reach the chance in time. Dhananjaya survives a scare. 67/1
17.3 K Rabada to de Silva, That would have hurt! Rabada bowls it short and Dhananjaya connects well with his pull shot but it hits Markram flush on the grille of his helmet at short leg. It then deflects onto his right shoulder before settling down near the pitch. Aiden not showing much pain though. 67/1
17.2 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Stays back and punches it towards mid on for a run. 67/1
17.1 K Rabada to Karunaratne, A length ball on off, defended from the crease. 66/1
16.6 K Maharaj to Silva, Whoa! What was that? Spitting cobra. Maharaj gives this one some extra flight and lands it somewhere around middle. Dhananjaya thinks of playing at it from the crease but it shoots up to beat the bat. Nearly kissed the outside edge. Good take by de Kock. Rangana Herath will be licking his lips after watching that. 66/1
16.5 K Maharaj to Silva, This one is very full on off, Dhananjaya keeps it out at the last moment. 66/1
16.4 K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Too full in length around off, Karunaratne steps down the track and digs it out through mid-wicket for a run. Nearly got deceived in flight. 66/1
16.3 K Maharaj to de Silva, This time the batsman finds the gap with his off drive and picks up a single. There is a fielder in the deep. 65/1
16.2 K Maharaj to Silva, Once again Dhananjaya strokes it with the spin towards the bowler. 64/1
16.1 K Maharaj to de Silva, Gets forward and drives it with the spin on the off side. 64/1
15.6 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Shortish and outside off, defended from the back foot to point. 64/1
15.5 K Rabada to Silva, Pitches it up and outside off, de Silva drives it down the ground and Shamsi chases it from mid off. Three taken. 64/1
15.4 K Rabada to Silva, Another delivery which is drifting down the leg side. Dhananjaya is beaten for pace on this occasion as he fails to connect with his flick shot. Takes a blow on his thigh pad. 61/1
15.3 K Rabada to Silva, Uneasy moment. Rabada angles a length ball on middle and leg, de Silva tries to flick but it takes the leading edge and rolls to point. 61/1
15.2 K Rabada to Silva, Identical length again but this one is bowled in the line of the off stump. De Silva defends it off his back foot. 61/1
15.1 K Rabada to Silva, Back of a length delivery in the channel outside off, Dhananjaya allows it through to the keeper. 61/1
14.6 K Maharaj to Silva, Nicely tossed up delivery, a good loop as it lands full around off. Dhananjaya strides forward and pushes it softly towards backward point for a run. 61/1
14.5 K Maharaj to Silva, This one is bowled a bit in the flatter trajectory. Fullish and down the leg side. De Silva tries to flick but misses and it goes off his left boot to the point region. For a moment, the close-in fielders got excited but there was no bat involved. 60/1
14.4 K Maharaj to Silva, Loopy and full on off, defended watchfully off the front foot. 60/1
14.3 K Maharaj to Silva, Dhananjaya has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 60/1
14.2 K Maharaj to Silva, FOUR! Fine footwork by Dhananjaya. Gives himself room by staying leg side to this delivery and then dances down the track to loft it with the spin over extra cover. Catch it is the shout but it goes well wide of the mid off fielder. A boundary. 60/1
14.1 K Maharaj to de Silva, Flighted full ball on middle, driven back to the bowler. 56/1
13.6 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 56/1
13.5 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Fuller and drifting down the leg side, Karunaratne fails to flick it off his pads. 56/1
13.4 K Rabada to Karunaratne, FOUR! Streaky. Karunaratne had no idea how and where it went. Rabada angles in a good length ball around off, straightening a touch with extra bounce, Karunaratne stays back to defend but it takes the splice of his bat and hurries past the slip cordon for a boundary. 56/1
13.3 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Digs in a bouncer, Karunaratne ducks. 52/1
13.2 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Fractionally short and on off, defended off the back foot to the off side. 52/1
13.1 K Rabada to Karunaratne, FOUR! Serves it on a back of a length outside off, Karunaratne stands tall and punches it square of the wicket on the off side. If it's chase from a fielder, it has to be Maharaj today. Seems to have taken a contract for that. Although, this time the ball wins the race to the fence. The outfield is getting quickened up probably with the sun coming down. 50 comes up for Sri Lanka. 52/1
Change of ends for Kagiso Rabada. He will be bowling from around the wicket for the left-hander…
12.6 K Maharaj to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 48/1
12.5 K Maharaj to Silva, Tossed up ball on off, defended off the front foot by Dhananjaya. 48/1
12.4 K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Charges down the track and knocks it down to long on for a run. 48/1
12.3 K Maharaj to Karunaratne, Shout for an lbw! Not given. Sharp spin from around off, from a fuller length, Karunaratne gets forward to defend but misses. He is hit on the pads, they appeal but the umpire shakes his head. No DRS taken. Faf probably feels that it's turning too much. The replays confirm the same. Would have spun down and clipping the leg stump at the most. 47/1
12.2 K Maharaj to Silva, Presses forward to a full ball and drives it down to long off for a run. 47/1
12.1 K Maharaj to Silva, Flighted and very full around off, driven off the front foot and Maharaj dived to his left to make the stop. 46/1
And here he comes… Keshav Maharaj to bowl!
Drinks break. A good first hour of this Test match. Runs came thick and fast earlier but then South African managed to pick the wicket of Karunaratne. They would have got Gunathilaka also had they used DRS in the first over. Nothing extravagant in the pitch for the pacers. Let's see if there is spin as and when South Africa bring Keshav Maharaj.
11.6 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Bouncer! The batsman ducks under it at the last moment. 46/1
11.5 D Steyn to Silva, Shortish and moving down the leg side, it's worked off the pads behind square leg for one. 46/1
11.4 D Steyn to Silva, Speedy delivery. Full and just outside off, Dhananjaya covers his stumps and shoulders arms. 45/1
11.3 D Steyn to de Silva, Steyn delivers it on a full length around off, shaping in a bit, de Silva is caught inside the crease as he tries to defend. Gets a thick inside edge onto the pads. 45/1
11.2 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Short and pulled on the leg side for a single. 45/1
11.1 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 44/1
10.6 K Rabada to Silva, De Silva has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. End of a successful over for South Africa. 44/1
10.5 K Rabada to Silva, Appeal for a bat-pad! Nothing doing as far as Paul Reiffel is concerned. Good length ball on middle and angling down down. Dhananjaya tries to flick but seems to have missed. It goes off his thigh pad to short leg where Markram catches it and they appeal. Off the thigh pad and nothing off the bat, confirms the replay. 44/1
Dhananjaya de Silva is the number 3 batsman.
10.4 K Rabada to Gunathilaka, OUT! Gone! Doesn't matter if there is life or not in the pitch, Rabada will get something going for him. Such is his clbad. Serves a good length delivery outside off and extracts some extra bounce. Gunathilaka is back footed as he tries to punch it through the line. But the ball reaches high on his bat, kisses the outside edge and de Kock grabs it with ease. Rabada is ecstatic as he celebrates with his teammates. The umpire after raising his finger quickly checks for the front foot and the third umpire also checks for the edge. Wonder why? Anyway, everything is fine and legal as a disappointed Danushka returns to the pavilion. 44/1
10.3 K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Stands back to a shortish ball and defends it to the off side. 44/0
10.2 K Rabada to D Gunathilaka, FOUR! Poor fielding at mid on. A fractionally short of a length delivery on off, Gunathilaka drags his pull shot from the front foot and it races off the inside half of the bat. Philander is lazy in putting a dive and does so after the ball has gone past him. A boundary results. 44/0
10.1 K Rabada to Gunathilaka, In the channel outside off, Gunathilaka watchfully lets it through to the keeper. 40/0
9.6 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Once again it's shortish and just outside off, Karunaratne plays it out from the crease to mid off. 40/0
9.5 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Back of a length delivery on middle and leg, Karunaratne gets on this toes and defends it to mid-wicket. 40/0
9.4 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Another bouncer by Steyn, this one though is too high and hence Karunaratne ducks. 40/0
9.3 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 40/0
9.2 D Steyn to Karunaratne, SIX! Nearly fell to the plan though, Dimuth. Steyn digs in a short delivery with two fielders back in the deep on the leg side. Karunaratne still wheels a pull shot and gets good enough connection to clear the rope at backward square leg. South Africa won't mind that much, if he keeps playing his shots. 40/0
9.1 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Play and a miss! A zippy delivery, landing on a fuller length and skidding away. Karunaratne gets forward to push at it but misses. 34/0
8.6 K Rabada to Gunathilaka, Some movement again for Rabada as he lands it on a length around middle and off. Danushka does well to play it with soft hands towards gully. 34/0
8.5 K Rabada to D Gunathilaka, Lets out a fuller length ball on middle, it's pushed off the front foot to mid off. 34/0
8.4 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Stays tall in his crease to a shortish ball and punches it past short extra cover for one. 34/0
8.3 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Beaten! Delivers it with a scrambled seam but still it moves appreciably away from the batsman. Karunaratne has an area of vulnerability outside off as he pushes and misses. 33/0
8.2 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Bowls this one on middle and off, on a good length again, Karunaratne defends it from the crease. 33/0
8.1 K Rabada to Karunaratne, Starts with a good length ball outside off, Karunaratne allows it through. 33/0
Here comes the first bowling change. The number one Test bowler, Kagiso Rabada is unleashed into the attack. Two slips in place for him.
7.6 D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Good length ball around leg, worked off the pads to the leg side but straight to the fielder. 33/0
7.5 D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Bangs in a bouncer, around middle, Gunathilaka picks it early and sways away from the line. 33/0
7.4 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Straighter in line, Dimuth eases it off his pads past the left side of the square leg umpire. Un seul pris. 33/0
7.3 D Steyn to Karunaratne, A length delivery on middle and off, defended from the crease. 32/0
7.2 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Outside off, left alone. 32/0
7.1 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Serves it around off on a length, Karunaratne covers the line and defends it back. 32/0
6.6 V Philander to D Gunathilaka, Lands it on a length around off, moving away a shade, Gunathilaka pushes it with gentle hands through backward point and collects a couple of runs. It's a big over, 10 runs off it. 32/0
6.5 V Philander to Gunathilaka, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. 30/0
6.4 V Philander to D Gunathilaka, Once again a confident front foot drive by Gunathilaka but he finds the mid off fielder. The pitch looks excellent for stroke-making with nothing much in it for the pacers. 30/0
6.3 V Philander to Gunathilaka, Fuller in length and around off, defended off the front foot. 30/0
6.2 V Philander to Gunathilaka, FOUR! This is very poor bowling from Philander. Not getting his line right. Bowls it wide outside off, on a length, Gunathilaka smashes it off his back foot through cover-point and this time the ball trickles past the rope. 30/0
6.1 V Philander to Gunathilaka, FOUR! Eased away! Philander errs in line and bowls it a bit short around middle and leg. Gunathilaka stands back inside the crease and glances it off his hips to the fine leg fence. 26/0
5.6 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Make it three leaves in a row to end the over. 22/0
5.5 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Once again Karunaratne lets a length ball go to the keeper. Not chasing any wide deliveries outside off. 22/0
5.4 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Much better. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 22/0
5.3 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Beaten! Some movement on this occasion. Steyn dishes out a back of a length ball outside off, shaping away, Karunaratne tries to punch it away but misses due to the excess movement. 22/0
5.2 D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Identical to the last delivery. This time Danushka punches it on the up, not exactly timed well but still through the gap at covers. Maharaj is getting a nice cardio session at the moment as once again he chases it down from mid off. Three more runs added to the total. 22/0
5.1 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Fractionally short in length and outside off, Karunaratne punches it off his back foot through covers. A good confident shot, that. It slows down before the rope as the mid off fielder (Maharaj) chases it down. Trois courses prises. 19/0
4.6 V Philander to Gunathilaka, Hurls a length delivery in the corridor of uncertainty. It's allowed through to the keeper. 16/0
4.5 V Philander to Gunathilaka, Slips a full ball down the leg side, some movement as it leaves the batsman and beats his attempted flick shot. 16/0
4.4 V Philander to Gunathilaka, Returns to over the wicket and serves it on a length around off. Danushka blocks it from the crease. 16/0
4.3 V Philander to Gunathilaka, Back of a length ball on off, angling in and hurrying up the batsman. Gunathilaka gets an inside edge onto the body as he tries to work it across the line. 16/0
4.2 V Philander to Gunathilaka, Beauty! That's what Philander's aim is from this angle. Bowls it on a length around off and straightens it from there. Gunathilaka ends up pushing and missing inside the line. 16/0
4.1 V Philander to Gunathilaka, FOUR! Gunathilaka takes the off stump guard now rather than middle and leg as Philander switches to 'round the wicket. He sprays a full ball down the leg side and Danushka flicks it uppishly through square leg for a boundary. 16/0
3.6 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Drops it on a length and just around off, it's blocked off the back foot to the off side. 12/0
3.5 D Steyn to Karunaratne, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 12/0
3.4 D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Shortish and outside off, stroked wide of the cover fielder for one. 12/0
3.3 D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 11/0
3.2 D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Digs in a short ball on middle, not much life in this pitch and hence it goes on a good height to the batsman. Gunathilaka turns inside the crease to pull it but finds the fielder in front of square. 11/0
3.1 D Steyn to Gunathilaka, Serves it on a length around off, it's defended from the crease to the off side. 11/0
2.6 V Philander to Karunaratne, Angling away from the batsman outside off, Karunaratne lets it be. 11/0
Down to two slips.
2.5 V Philander to Karunaratne, Good length ball on middle, defended on the leg side. 11/0
2.4 V Philander to Karunaratne, Back of a length ball outside off, Dimuth plays it late past the right side of the point fielder and they take a couple again. The outfield is quite slow because of all the rain. 11/0
2.3 V Philander to Gunathilaka, A mishit. Full in length and on middle, Gunathilaka presents a straight bat and it takes the inside edge. Brushes his pads before rolling in front of mid on as they scamper across. Rabada attacks the ball and lets out a throw at the striker's end but no harm done. 9/0
2.2 V Philander to Gunathilaka, Pitches it full and around off, Gunathilaka drives it down the ground, through the legs of his partner at the other end. Maharaj chases it from mid off as the ball slows down on a heavy outfield. Un couple pris. 8/0
2.1 V Philander to Gunathilaka, A length ball angling away from the batsman, it's pushed with an open-faced bat to cover-point. 6/0
1.6 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Back of a length delivery on middle, blocked off the back foot to finish the over. 6/0
1.5 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Presses forward and drives it through the line. Finds mid off. 6/0
1.4 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Was there an edge? No appeal made though. Steyn angles across a length ball outside off, a hint of away shape after pitching, Karunaratne has a nervous poke inside the line and misses. There is some noise but the replays show that it's off the bat clipping the front pad. 6/0
1.3 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Bowls it in the zone outside off, it's left alone. 6/0
1.2 D Steyn to Karunaratne, Gets behind the line of the delivery nicely this time and defends it to the leg side. 6/0
1.1 D Steyn to D Karunaratne, FOUR! Edgy! It's fuller in length and around off, Karunaratne with a tentative front foot movement tries playing with a straight bat but it takes the outside edge and speeds through slips and gully for a boundary. 6/0
Dale Steyn is back and he will operate from the other end.
0.6 V Philander to Gunathilaka, In the channel outside off, Gunathilaka lets it through to the keeper. End of an eventful first over. 2/0
0.5 V Philander to Gunathilaka, Huge appeal for a caught behind! The umpire though remains still. A delivery down the leg side, Gunathilaka tries to flick but fails to middle it properly. Quinton de Kock collects the ball and lets out a big appeal. The bowler also joins but nothing from the umpire. Faf du Plessis has a chat with Philander and de Kock but none looked entirely convinced and hence no DRS is used. Hello, the replays detect some sound and the Snicko shows a spike. Wow, an early reprieve for Danushka. 2/0
0.4 V Philander to Karunaratne, Lands it full again and in line of the stumps. Karunaratne gets it away from the inner half of the bat and it rolls through square leg for one. Both the openers are off the mark! 2/0
0.3 V Philander to Karunaratne, Pitches it full and just around off, Dimuth is on the front foot as he pushes it with an angled bat to cover-point. 1/0
0.2 V Philander to Karunaratne, This one is angled across the southpaw. Going further away with the seam outside off. Karunaratne allows it through. 1/0
0.1 V Philander to Gunathilaka, Starts with a good length ball on middle. Not enough movement. Gunathilaka works it off his pads through backward square leg and gets off the mark. 1/0
First Published: July 12, 2018, 9:53 AM IST
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