Sri Lanka skittled the Proteas for 222 runs and finished on 60-3 on day one of the second Test at George’s Park. KHALID MOHIDIN reports.
It was another disappointing performance from the Proteas on day one of the second Test at St George’s park. This was solely due to clinical bowling from Sri Lanka and quite frankly sub-par batting from the home side.
The Proteas collapse happened in six balls as their first three wickets fell without any addition to the score. Vishwa Fernando (3-62) was particularly impressive slicing through Dean Elgar (six) and Hashim Amla (duck).
The Proteas managed to recover mildly through Aiden Markam and Faf du Plessis who built a half-century partnership to ease the nerves of their teammates and Proteas fans until Du Plessis lost his wicket on 25 on the stroke of lunch, to Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne.
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Wickets continued to fall after the break, but not without resistance from Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock.
Markram scored his sixth half-century and helped take the Proteas from 73-4 to 130-5 when Kasun Rajitha (3-67) trapped Markam (60) lbw for the first of his three wickets. He followed this with the wickets of Wiaan Mulder (nine) and Keshav Maharaj (duck) as the Proteas were reduced to 157-7.
De Kock then proceded to edge the Proteas closer to the 200-run mark by tea.
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De Kock (86) built a strong resistance with Kagiso Rabada until he was bowled by spinning all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva (2-15). De Silva followed this with the wicket of Rabada (22) and wrapped things up with his third, as the Proteas were skittled for 222.
Sri Lanka started their chase respectably but Rabada (1-14) and Daunne Olivier (2-25) picked up three important wickets.
Karunaratne (17), Oshada Fernando(duck) and Kusal Mendis (16) lost their wickets as Sri Lanka finished the day on 60-3. Sri Lanka trail the Proteas by 162 runs.
Photo: Isuru Sameera Peiris/Gallo Images
