Second Test match nicely poised as Sri Lanka make Proteas' bowlers toil

Starting Day 4 on 191/3 with a lead of 221, the Proteas were firmly in the driving seat. Captain Temba Bavuma continued his rich vein of form and recorded his fourth consecutive score of 50 or more. Supported by Tristan Stubbs at the end, they kept the scoreboard ticking, notching up a 100-run partnership before a miscommunication led to Stubbs being run out.

Bavuma was then bowled around his legs by spinner Prabath Jayasuria which cued a flurry of wickets. David Beddingham, Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen fell in quick time as the hosts lost four wickets for 25 runs. They headed into the lunch break at 282/8, 312 ahead.

After the break, Kagiso Rabada edged his pull shot to the wicketkeeper. Some lusty blows from Keshav Maharaj and Dane Patersen took the Proteas up to 317, leaving Sri Lanka what would be a record 347 to chase on South African soil. Jayasuria was the pick of the bowlers with his 5/129.

The Proteas struck early through talisman Rabada when he trapped Dimuth Karunaratne to end the opener's torrid tour. Veteran seamer Paterson then picked up two wickets to put Sri Lanks at 64/3.

Angelo Mathews and dangerman Kamindu Mendis steadied the ship until Keshav Maharaj was introduced. The tweaker beat Mathews all ends up, then Verreynne showed brilliant reactions to snaffle a bat-pad chance to send Mendis back to the change room.

The match had a different complexion with the visitors at five down and over 200 runs behind, but again they rallied. Against a tiring Proteas attack, captain Dhanajaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis put on an undefeated 83 to guide them to 202/5 at the close of play, still in with a chance of making history. 

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