South Africa’s dominance in the opening Test match against Sri Lanka continued on the third day in Durban, with the hosts in a commanding position heading into the final two days of play. After setting a massive target of 516 runs for Sri Lanka to chase in their second innings, the Proteas bowlers once again asserted their control over the visitors.
At the close of play on day three, Sri Lanka found themselves struggling at 103/5, still needing a daunting 413 runs to win. Dinesh Chandimal was holding firm on 29 not out, while captain Dhananjaya de Silva was yet to get off the mark. The South African bowling attack, led by the impressive Marco Jansen who took 2/22, kept the pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen with Kagiso Rabada also chipping in with 2/34.
Earlier in the day, South Africa further solidified their position with a remarkable double-century partnership between captain Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs. The pair added 249 runs for the fourth wicket, guiding the Proteas to 366/5 before declaring at tea. Bavuma, who had already scored a half-century in the first innings, notched up his third Test century with a gritty 113 off 228 balls. Stubbs, on the other hand, played a career-best innings of 122 off 221 deliveries, securing his second Test century in just his sixth match.
Reflecting on his century, Bavuma expressed his satisfaction with his performance and the partnership with Stubbs. He highlighted the mental challenges of batting on a challenging wicket and emphasized the personal significance of reaching the three-figure mark. While he would have preferred to be not out at the end of the day, Bavuma was pleased with his contribution to the team’s cause.
As South Africa prepare to resume their quest for victory on the fourth day, Sri Lanka faces an uphill battle to salvage the Test match. With a huge target to chase and the Proteas bowlers in fine form, the visitors will need a monumental effort to stage a comeback. Stay tuned for more action-packed cricket as the battle between bat and ball continues in Durban.
