South Africa have a 120-run lead with 10 second innings wickets in hand at lunch on day three at St George’s Park.
Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar were at the crease for the Proteas when the the umpires decided to call a halt to play due to the lightning in the area. Lunch was taken just before the heavens opened and St George’s Park was hit by a storm.
The Proteas are certainly in a position of strength, regardless of the weather. South Africa dismissed Sri Lanka for 205 earlier this morning. Since then, Cook and Elgar have extended the hosts’ lead to 120 runs.
Vernon Philander finished with figures of 5-45 as Sri Lanka lost their remaining three wickets in the space of 35 minutes. Philander, who was the pick of the Proteas bowlers on day two, struck twice in the first over.
The first delivery of the day was pitched on the stumps and seamed towards the slip cordon. It was all Dhananjaya de Silva could do to find an edge to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. Five balls later, Philander had Suranga Lakmal caught at mid-on. The dismissal marked his 11th five-wicket haul in Tests.
Dushmantha Chameera continued to play his shots, and ensured that Sri Lanka passed the 200-mark. Chameera and Nuwan Pradeep added 20 runs for the 10th wicket before the former edged Kyle Abbott to first slip.
The Proteas will look to pile on the runs and set Sri Lanka a target of 300 or more. Due to the loss of time on day two and early on day three, the second session will be extended.
SA 1st innings 286 – Duminy 63, Cook 59, Lakmal 5-63, Herath 2-48
SL 1st innings 205 – De Silva 43, Mathews 39, Philander 5-45, Abbott 3-63,
SA 2nd innings 39-0 – Dean Elgar 26 not out, Stephen Cook 12 not out
South Africa lead by 120 runs
