Sri Lanka Stages a Strong Response Against South Africa on Day 2 of the Test

Sri Lanka cut their deficit to 116 runs against South Africa on Day 2, scoring 242 for 3. Pathum Nissanka excelled with 89 runs, supported by Angelo Mathews’ 40 not out. South Africa scored 358, led by Kyle Verreynne’s unbeaten century (105).

On Day 2 of the ongoing Test match, Sri Lanka significantly improved their performance, cutting down their deficit to South Africa to 116 runs by the close of play. The standout for Sri Lanka was Pathum Nissanka, who scored a commendable 89 runs, forming a pivotal partnership of 109 runs with Dinesh Chandimal, who scored 40 not out. Angelo Mathews remained not out at 40, with Kamindu Mendis contributing an unbeaten 30 runs. At stumps, Sri Lanka stood at 242 runs for the loss of three wickets, successfully navigating through various challenges posed by the South African bowlers, particularly Kagiso Rabada who claimed the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne and maintained a tight economy rate.

South Africa had earlier posted a total of 358, with Kyle Verreynne leading the scoring with a remarkable unbeaten 105 runs. Verreynne’s innings energized South Africa’s batting lineup, especially in the morning session where he managed a crucial 66-run partnership with Rabada before Sri Lanka’s bowlers applied pressure. The Sri Lankan team, capitalizing on a flattening pitch, demonstrated a polished approach to batting, imbuing their chase with renewed aggression to put forth serious competition against the South African bowling attack.

This Test match has been a showcase of competitive cricket, underscoring Sri Lanka’s advancement in form after a challenging series start. South Africa’s first innings total of 358 positioned them well initially. However, as Sri Lanka commenced their response, the narrative shifted with notable contributions from Nissanka and Chandimal, reflecting a growth in the team’s batting resilience and ensuring the Test match remained in contention. This development is significant as batter’s performances can often dictate the matches in Test cricket.

The day concluded with Sri Lanka well-placed to take control in the first innings, having reduced their deficit significantly while showcasing improved batting performance. With Nissanka’s 89 and contributions from Mathews and Mendis, Sri Lanka’s chances of taking a lead in the match have significantly increased. Meanwhile, South Africa will need to reassess their bowling strategy to reclaim momentum going into Day 3.

Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com