South Africa’s Lutho Sipamla celebrates after the dismissal of Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga during the first day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 26, 2020. (Photo by Christiaan Kotze / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTIAAN KOTZE/AFP via Getty Images)
Proteas’ Sipamla rallies to clean up Sri Lankan tail
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 396 with Lutho Sipamla claiming four wickets at the cost of 76 runs.
South Africa’s Lutho Sipamla celebrates after the dismissal of Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga during the first day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 26, 2020. (Photo by Christiaan Kotze / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTIAAN KOTZE/AFP via Getty Images)
Proteas fast bowler Lutho Sipamla bounced back from a nightmare first day of Test cricket to help South Africa limit the damage and skittle Sri Lanka for 396 on day two of the first Test at Centurion.
Sipamla bounces back
Sipamla picked up the three wickets the Proteas needed to end Sri Lanka’s first dig on the morning of the second day to end with figures of 4/76, which perhaps flattered the young seamer a little but should give him confidence going forward.
The Warriors seamer was punished by the Sri Lanka top order but was more than a match for the tail even as Dasun Shanaka added some vital runs.
Shanaka posted his maiden Test fifty and ended unbeaten on 66 having launched an assault on the Proteas bowling continuing Sri Lanka’s positive approach to the match.
With Sri Lanka resuming on 340 for 6 it took 11 overs for the Proteas to capture the wickets of Kasun Rajitha (12), Vishwa Fernando (0) and Lahiru Kumara (0), but those overs cost 56 runs, the bulk of which were scored by Shanaka who struck five sixes and three fours on his way to a Test career-best.
Injured Sri Lanka batsman Dhananjaya de Silva did not return to bat and appears unlikely to feature in the remainder of the match with a suspected hip flexor injury. The injury came as a huge blow to Sri Lanka but did not stop the team from posting their highest Test score in South Africa falling just four short of cracking 400.
Markram and Elgar survive
Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram made a positive start to South Africa’s response reaching 45 without loss by lunch on day two.
South Africa trail by 351 runs at lunch on day two.
South Africa vs Sri Lanka – SL 1st innings
Sri Lanka, first innings
(overnight 340-6)
D. Karunaratne b Ngidi 22
K. Perera c De Kock b Mulder 16
K. Mendis c Ngidi b Nortje 12
D. Chandimal c Du Plessis b Mulder 85
D. de Silva retired hurt 79
N. Dickwella lbw b Mulder 49
D. Shanaka not out 66
W. Hasaranga b Sipamla 18
K. Rajitha c Elgar b Sipamla 12
V. Fernando b Sipamla 0
L. Kumara c Van der Dussen b Sipamla 0
Extras (b16, lb9, nb6, w6) 37
Total (96 overs) 396
Fall of wickets: 1-28 (Karunaratne), 2-54 (Mendis), 3-54 (Perera), 4-284 (Chandimal), 5-296 (Dickwella), 6-320 (Hasaranga), 7-387 (Rajitha), 8-387 (Fernando), 9-396 (Kumara)
Bowling: Ngidi 19-3-64-1, Sipamla 16-1-76-4 (3nb), Nortje 22-3-88-1 (2w), Mulder 20-4-69-3 (3nb), Maharaj 19-3-74-0
