The Proteas were reduced to 91-5 as they took a 159-run lead into tea on day two of the second Test at St George’s Park. KHALID MOHIDIN reports.
The Proteas found themselves in a troublesome position once again after lunch. They skittled Sri Lanka out for 154 and took a 78-run lead into lunch, but not without losing the wicket of Dean Elgar for two before the break.
ALSO READ: Proteas extend lead after clinical bowling
They lost two further wickets at the start of the second session courtesy of Kasun Rajitha. Aiden Markram (18) guided a flick down the on-side to Oshada Fernando at short midwicket and Temba Bavuma (6) got a thick nick to the keeper.
Faf du Plessis joined the cautious Hashim Amla at the crease and decided to play a lot more aggressively than his partner.
Du Plessis scored at close to a run a ball which saw the lead continue to increase at a healthy pace.
Amla took 72 balls to reach 32 and that was all he would achieve, as Dhananjaya de Silva found his edge that saw the Proteas lose their fourth for 90 runs.
Quinton de Kock came to the crease, faced seven balls and scored just one before he lifted a Suranga Lakmal delivery straight back to the bowler. This saw the Proteas take a 159-run lead into tea as they lost their fifth wicket.
Faf du Plessis ended the session on 31 and will be joined by debutant Wiaan Mulder after the break.
