ZCZC
BSP-16
CRICKET-SRI-RSA LEAD
Sri Lanka set S.Africa mammoth 490 to avoid whitewash
COLOMBO, July 22, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – South Africa lost Aiden Markram on
Sunday as they chased a highly improbable 490 to win the second Test and
avoid their first series defeat to Sri Lanka since 2006.
Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath dismissed Markram lbw for 14 in a hectic
12 overs before tea on the third day of the second Test at the Sinhalese
Sports Club ground in Colombo.
The hosts dropped two straightforward catches, had a dismissal overturned
and burned both their reviews, off consecutive balls, before South Africa
went into the break on 42 for 1.
Opener Dean Elgar was bowled by Dilruwan Perera for six before being
called back after replays showed a no-ball. He survived to 13 not out,
alongside Theunis de Bruyn, unbeaten on eight.
Having skittled out the visitors for 124 in their first innings and
secured a 214-run lead, the hosts earlier declared on 275 for five.
South Africa’s bowlers toiled for 47 overs on Sunday to dismiss just the
overnight pair of Dimuth Karunaratne — caught behind for 85 off fast bowler
Lungi Ngidi — and Angelo Mathews.
The latter became Keshav Maharaj’s 12th wicket of the match.
There was no joy for Dale Steyn, who will have to wait until the next Test
series against Zimbabwe in September and October — if picked — to overtake
Shaun Pollock as the Proteas’ leading Test wicket-taker.
Steyn has been tied with Pollock on 421 dismissals since the first Test
last week in Galle, won by Sri Lanka within three days.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1608 hrs