1st Test
Day-3 Evening Session Highlights:
South Africa team has moved closer to a commanding victory against Sri Lanka in Durban
At The Stumps of Day-3:
Sri Lanka scored 42 (1st Innings) & 103/5 (2nd Innings), where as South Africa scored 191 (1st Innings) & 366/5 decl. (2nd Innings).
Sri Lanka need another 413 runs to win the test.
South Africa delivered another dominant performance on Day 3 against Sri Lanka, putting them on the verge of a huge win in the first Test in Durban.
Fine centuries from Tristan Stubbs and Temba Bavuma kept the Sri Lankan bowlers at bay, setting the visitors a massive target of 516 runs.
The South African bowlers once again showed their precision, removing half of Sri Lanka’s side by stumps.
The day began with a wicketless opening session that firmly reinforced South Africa’s control over the match.
Bavuma struck the second ball of the day for a boundary, and after a cautious start, Stubbs also began to find his rhythm.
Both batters steadily built their innings, passing their respective half-centuries.
Vishwa Fernando had a chance to dismiss both but was unable to capitalize, as luck was not on Sri Lanka’s side.
After the lunch break, the pair continued to pile on the runs.
Stubbs drove Dhananjaya de Silva for a boundary before launching Kamindu Mendis for a six, taking him into the 90s, while Bavuma remained solid at the other end.
Despite Sri Lanka taking the new ball immediately after it became available, the change in conditions didn’t alter their fortunes.
Stubbs brought up his second Test century, and Bavuma followed suit after the drinks break.
With both batters well-set, Stubbs shifted gears, playing with more aggressive intent, but eventually lost his wicket.
David Bedingham then came in and played with similar aggression, smashing a boundary and a six off his first two balls.
South Africa’s lead surged past 500 before Bavuma was trapped lbw just before Tea, prompting a declaration.
With the ball, South Africa wasted a review early on, but it didn’t impact their efforts.
Kagiso Rabada struck first, dismissing Dimuth Karunaratne, who edged a wide delivery.
Pathum Nissanka countered with some aggressive shots, targeting Gerald Coetzee for three fours in an over, and was reprieved when Rabada overstepped.
However, Nissanka fell shortly after, trapped lbw.
Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews looked to stabilize, hitting a flurry of boundaries and building a promising partnership.
It seemed as though the experienced duo might guide Sri Lanka through to stumps.
But Marco Jansen struck, trapping Mathews lbw for the second time in the match.
South Africa then removed Kamindu Mendis and claimed the key wicket of Prabath Jayasuriya, with a stunning catch from Tony de Zorzi at short leg before stumps.
Sri Lanka now faces the daunting task of chasing 413 more runs with just five wickets remaining.
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