Dane Paterson, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma steer South Africa to commanding position on Day 3 (Photo Source: Twitter/X)
A lot more was expected from Sri Lanka (SL) after their batting performance on the second day of the second Test against South Africa (SA), as compared to how they fared on Day 3. The 10th over of the day was when Marco Jansen dismissed Angelo Matthews with an absolute snorter of a delivery.
Taking the second new ball did wonders for Temba Bavuma & Co. as Jansen was at it again, this time dismissing Kamindu Mendis who nicked one to Aiden Markram at second slip. The 89th of the Lankan innings was when Dane Paterson took not one, but three wickets in tandem; completely derailing the innings. Prabath Jayasuriya guarded an end as Sri Lanka survived without additional damage.
South Africa did not take a lot of time to wrap things up as Paterson brought up a five-wicket haul to remember in what is just his sixth Test in almost half a decade. The lead that the Proteas had was of 30 runs. Markram and Tony de Zorzi started off positively and added 38 within the first 10 overs of South Africa’s second innings. A few moments later, the latter was dismissed off a floated off-spinner from Jayasuriya.
South Africa recover from early jolts to end Day 3 on a high
Hosts South Africa ended the session on a sweet note, with Sri Lanka having received a much-needed break for Tea. Shortly after bringing up his 12th Test half-century, Markram headed back after wicketkeeper, Kusal Mendis, hung onto a one-handed stunner. Jayasuriya’s second wicket came via trapping Ryan Rickelton plumb in front, bringing Temba Bavuma to the middle. Bavuma (48 off 79 balls) was more aggressive of the duo of himself and Tristan Stubbs (36* off 93 balls) as they slowly but surely ticked over the runs on the scoreboard.
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The end of the day saw the hosts in a comfortable position, ending on 191/3 after playing out 55 overs. The centurions from the second innings of the first Test will be keen on extending their collaboration. As for Sri Lanka, there is a lot they would be pondering about and would need some quick strikes to limit the flow of runs on Day 4 of the game.