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The second Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka has reached a tantalizing climax, with both sides vying for a decisive outcome. Chasing an imposing target of 348, Sri Lanka ended Day 4 at 205/5, requiring another 143 runs to achieve a historic victory. Meanwhile, South Africa stands just five wickets away from sealing a ജcommanding 2-0 series triumph.
Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis hold Sri Lanka’s fort
Sri Lanka’s fading hopes were reignited by an unbeaten 83-run partnership between skipper Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, both resolute on 39. The pair displayed immense determination and urgency, maintaining a brisk run rate exceeding four an over. Yet, the scale of their task is immense. The highest successful chase at this venue, 271/8 by Australia in 1997, underscores the enormity of the challenge. With Sri Lanka’s lower order comprising bowlers, the sixth-wicket stand represents the visitors’ last credible resistance. The team’s survival and success hinge on this duo navigating the morning session on Day 5.
South Africa’s bowlers deliver under pressure
South Africa’s attack struck crucial blows to stymie Sri Lanka’s progress. Kagiso Rabada’s opening spell set the tone, dismissing skipper Dimuth Karunaratne lbw for just 1, marking the fourth time Rabada has removed him in the series. Pathum Nissanka followed soon after, edging a wide delivery from Dane Paterson for 18. Middle-order batters Dinesh Chandimal (29) and Angelo Mathews (32) offered fleeting resistance, adding 53 runs for the fourth wicket. However, the introduction of Keshav Maharaj proved pivotal. The left-arm spinner accounted for both Mathews and Kamindu Mendis (35), leaving Sri Lanka teetering at 122/5.
Also WATCH: Tristan Stu𝓀bbs gets bizarrely run out aftওer mix-up with Temba Bavuma on Day 4 of Gqeberha Test
Prabath Jayasuriya’s heroics shine amid South Africa’s middle-order collapse
Earlier in the day, South Africa resumed their innings at 191/3 but collapsed under pressure from left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya. The spinner completed a remarkable maiden five-wicket haul on foreign soil, finishing with 5/129. Despite their middle-order struggles, captain Temba Bavuma steadied the innings with a resilient 66, his 24th Test fifty. Neverthless, Bavuma’s dismissal, along with a run-out of Tristan Stubbs for 47, contributed to South Africa’s slide.𝔉 The last-wicket stand between Maharaj and Paterson added 27 invaluable runs, stretching their lea✤d to 348.
Sri Lanღka’s pursuit of 348 would shatter the venue’s fourth-innings record. Their previous highest chase he🐼re, 197/2 in 2019, featured a masterful unbeaten 84 by Mendis. A repeat performance, albeit under far tougher circumstances, is now critical for Sri Lanka’s survival.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
I'm not discounting SL from a possible W tomorrow bt let's just be honest..
The current match situation favours SA…one down early tomorrow morning and We are in!!
The only way we lose this test are if we BOTTLE it…and if we do we don't deserve Lord's.. pretty simple!
— Lawrenceও Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0)
I am not ready for 2019 SL flashbacks
— Werner (@Werries_)
Cracking Test match at St George's Park Gqeberha. Game will have a 5th day with Sri Lanka needing 143 runs and South Africa 5 wickets.
The antic✱ipation ahead of an exciting day of Test cricket is unmatched༺. 👌
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog)
Kusal & Dhananjaya set up a fascinating Day 5 as SL are 205-ꦑ5 at stumps
SL 143 runs
SA 5 wickets— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA)
𓆏Prabath Jayasuriya took his 10th Test fifer today against South Africa.
His first fifer away from home.
Brilliant performance from him.
Well bowled Prabath.
— Naveen Peiris (@_Naviya_)
Test wickets in South Africa
Prabhat Jayasuriya – 10 in his 1st series
R Ashwin – 11 in 4 Test series— JSK (@imjsk27)
Today, 🧔Sri Lanka ཧneeds 143 runs with 5 wickets in hand.
Honestly SL has ju🤡st 2 batters in Kusal M an🅷d DdS—both not out on 39–already an unbroken stand of 83.
They might have to see through another 143, if SL👍 to win. Almost an impossibl▨e situation.
— isura (@isura)
Sri Lanka's middle order has been performing a lot better than India's, they won the last Test against England while chasing then against NZ and then against South Africa, apart from that 42, they've batted superb
— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall)
A gritty 83-run stand between Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva keeps Sri Lanka in the hunt at stumps on day four. With 143 runs still to get, the task is tou🐈gh but far f📖rom impossible. An enthralling final day beckons in Port Elizabeth!
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine)
SL would be more happi♍er if 1 or 2 less wickets at stumps in day 4.
143 to get with 5 wickets to go. I'd say still SA are at the top coz this is our last batting pair and our tailenders haven't done much with the bat.
BUT, this pair ജis more than capable of winning thisඣ🤞
— Poornama🏏 (@iam_poor9)
