Sri Lanka versus South Africa Test Series, 2024

2nd Test

Day-1 Afternoon Session Highlights:

Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton’s fifties has steered the South Africa’s recovery in the second session

At The Tea of Day-1:

South Africa scored 179/4 (1st Innings) vs Sri Lanka.

Half-centuries from Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton guided South Africa’s recovery, taking them to 179 for 4 at Tea on the opening day of the second Test at St George’s Park.

The pair added 133 runs for the fourth wicket after the hosts had been reduced to 44 for 3 in the morning session against Sri Lanka on Thursday (December 5).

Rickelton started aggressively after Lunch, hitting successive boundaries off Asitha Fernando, capitalizing on the pacer’s inconsistent lines and lengths.

Bavuma soon followed suit, taking on Prabath Jayasuriya by charging down the track and smashing two boundaries in an over.

Two overs later, he pushed Vishwa Fernando for a couple of runs to bring up his third consecutive half-century.

Rickelton, who had largely played the supporting role in the partnership, also shifted gears, punishing errant deliveries.

A drive past mid-on off Vishwa brought up the century partnership, just one over after Rickelton had reached his half-century.

The duo’s quick rotation of strike kept the scoreboard ticking at a steady rate.

Bavuma, who looked the most comfortable batter of the day, eventually fell to Asitha Fernando’s short-ball strategy, gloving one to the keeper 22 runs short of a well-deserved century.

After Bavuma’s dismissal, Rickelton and David Bedingham safely saw South Africa through to Tea.

Earlier, Sri Lanka made early breakthroughs in the morning session after South Africa chose to bat.

Asitha Fernando struck with the first ball of his spell, trapping Tony de Zorzi leg-before with a low full toss.

Aiden Markram, who had hit four boundaries and looked in good form, was undone by Lahiru Kumara’s pace, which nipped back in to bowl him out, giving Kumara his 100th Test wicket.

Soon after, Tristan Stubbs was caught behind attempting a shot at a short and wide delivery.