December 6, 2024

Nissanka’s 89 Narrows SL’s Deficit After Verreynne’s 105*

The afternoon and evening sessions were dominated by Sri Lanka, with their top four delivering their strongest collective performance of the series. While Kyle Verreynne’s energetic sprint to a third Test century lit up the second morning and propelled South Africa to a total of 358, Sri Lanka’s response was measured and powerful. Pathum Nissanka shone with an innings of 89 off 157 balls, sharing a crucial 109-run second-wicket partnership with Dinesh Chandimal.

By the close of play, Angelo Mathews was unbeaten on 40, with Kamindu Mendis at 30, leaving Sri Lanka in a strong position with seven wickets in hand and an opportunity to take control of the first innings. For the first time in the series, they managed to put serious pressure on a South African bowling attack that seemed limited on the flat Gqeberha pitch.

Kagiso Rabada proved to be the most threatening bowler, conceding just 40 runs in his 15 overs and claiming the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne for the third time in the series. He also had Nissanka dropped on 22 by David Bedingham at second slip. Sri Lanka showed more confidence against Marco Jansen than they had in the first Test, when Jansen claimed 11 wickets. By stumps, Jansen had bowled 18 overs, conceded 75 runs, and was the only frontline bowler without a wicket.

Despite occasional plays and misses, especially against Rabada, Nissanka played with restraint initially, scoring just eight runs off his first 50 balls. He gradually shifted into attack mode, favoring the pull shot against the shorter deliveries, particularly those from Jansen. Most of his scoring came square of the wicket, and he found a rhythm alongside Chandimal, adapting well to Keshav Maharaj’s spin.

Nissanka’s dismissal to Maharaj, whom he had earlier dispatched for a six over deep midwicket, was frustrating for the Sri Lankan side. Attempting an ambitious cross-batted shot to a full delivery, he ended up yorking himself, with the ball clattering into the leg stump just as he was approaching his century.

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Nissanka and Chandimal Build Solid Platform; Verreynne Shines in Morning Session

The partnership between Nissanka and Chandimal provided Sri Lanka with a solid platform, setting the stage for a promising innings. Chandimal, though more erratic in his strokeplay than the openers, managed to score a few edged boundaries behind the wicket. He battled alongside Nissanka until a tentative prod against Dane Paterson led to his dismissal, caught behind the stumps.

Mathews began his innings with some signs of discomfort but soon found his footing, striking boundaries down the ground and settling into a more confident rhythm. Kamindu Mendis, on the other hand, looked composed from the start, and together, Mathews and Mendis added 43 runs before stumps.

The morning session, however, belonged to Verreynne. After the dismissal of Keshav Maharaj and no further addition to South Africa’s overnight score, Verreynne combined with Rabada for a 66-run stand as Sri Lanka resorted almost exclusively to bouncers and short-pitched deliveries to prise out the final two wickets. Verreynne set the tone by hitting three consecutive boundaries through deep backward square leg and deep midwicket off one over from Asitha Fernando. His momentum surged further when Rabada was bowled by Asitha, leaving Verreynne with only the No. 11 as his partner.

Verreynne’s Explosive Century Powers South Africa to Strong Finish

With just 19 runs needed for his century, Verreynne ramped up the aggression, first sending Prabath Jayasuriya’s delivery soaring over cow corner for six, then pulling Asitha into the stands to edge closer to the milestone. He achieved his century with another powerful pull shot, dispatching the ball over fine leg’s head.

The achievement triggered jubilant celebrations, including a bow to the dressing room from Verreynne and a bear hug from Paterson. When play resumed in the morning, Verreynne may not have anticipated reaching a century, but he finished unbeaten on 105 off 133 balls, having scored an explosive 58 off just 50 balls on day two.

Lahiru Kumara took the final South African wicket, ending with figures of 4 for 79. Asitha and Vishwa Fernando combined for five wickets, contributing significantly to Sri Lanka’s bowling efforts.

Read More: Rickelton’s Maiden Century Boosts SA as Asitha and Kumara Keep Day 1 Balanced