The South African cricket team put on a commanding display against Sri Lanka on the third morning of the first Test at Kingsmead, consolidating their position after a shaky start to the match. Marco Jansen, the standout bowler in the first innings, spearheaded South Africa’s dominance, showcasing his ability to extract seam and bounce from a lively Durban pitch. His devastating spell dismantled Sri Lanka for just 42 runs in their first innings, marking their lowest total in Test cricket history.
Beginning the third day, South Africa built on their first-innings lead of 149 runs. Temba Bavuma played a vital captain’s innings, anchoring the side with a gritty half-century. Bavuma’s calculated aggression, combined with steady contributions from middle-order batters like Tristan Stubbs and Wiaan Mulder, extended South Africa’s lead to over 300 by lunch. Despite early strikes from Sri Lanka’s Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando, the Proteas’ lower order provided resistance, frustrating the visitors’ attack.
South Africa’s second innings was marked by improved partnerships and selective shot-making, contrasting their earlier struggles. Bavuma’s ability to rotate strike and find gaps underlined his role as the cornerstone of the South African batting lineup.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers had their moments but failed to capitalize on early breakthroughs. Lahiru Kumara, in particular, bowled with pace and aggression, taking crucial wickets but not receiving adequate support from the other end. The lack of consistency in line and length allowed South Africa to rebuild steadily after every wicket.
Adding to Sri Lanka’s woes, their batting lineup remained vulnerable against South Africa’s seamers. With Marco Jansen leading the charge, backed by Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetzee, Sri Lanka faces an uphill battle to salvage anything from this match.
The Kingsmead pitch, offering seam movement and variable bounce, has been instrumental in dictating the game’s pace. Unlike the rain-affected second day, the third day dawned with bright sunshine and favorable conditions for both batting and bowling. South Africa capitalized on this, adapting better to the challenging surface.
Heading into the afternoon session, South Africa appears poised for a decisive victory. With Sri Lanka needing to bat out of their skins to save the game, the Proteas’ pace attack will look to wrap up proceedings swiftly. For the visitors, a resilient batting display is imperative to avoid a heavy defeat.
This Test has highlighted South Africa’s resurgence as a competitive force in cricket, with key performances from both established players and rising stars like Jansen. As the match progresses, all eyes will be on how Sri Lanka responds under immense pressure. Stay updated with live match coverage on SuperSport and Cricket.com.
