South Africa v Sri Lanka – 2nd Test – 2nd Day’s Summary
Sri Lanka 338 & 7/1 (2.1 ov) v South Africa 168 - Sri Lanka lead by 177 runs with 9 wickets remaining
On Tuesday, December 27, 2011 Sri Lanka on the second day of the second Test against hosts South Africa gained a lead of 177 runs with nine wickets in hand at Kingsmead, Durban
The tourists had a splendid second day, where they exhibited superb fielding and entangled South Africa in a difficult situation by limiting their batsmen from giving a staunch reply to the Lankan’s first innings tally of 338 runs.
After losing the first Test by an innings and 81 runs, Sri Lanka look in a strong position in Durban and all set to avenge their opening Test defeat.
If the Lankans win this Test, the three-match series will be equally poised, placing high stakes on the Cape Town Test.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka resumed their first innings on the second day after having amassed 289 for the loss of seven wickets at stumps on the opening day, in a bid to add a few more runs to their overnight tally.
Thilan Samaraweera, who clobbered 86 runs on Monday, went on to hammer a resounding innings of 102 runs, to leave his opponents flabbergasted.
Meanwhile, Samaraweera was backed by Rangana Herath (30) and Chanaka Welegedara (2) as the side posted an impressive tally on the board at the end of their first innings.
Coming out to bat, the South Africans hoped to give a befitting reply to their adversaries, however, the Lankans left them surprised by breaking the opening partnership between skipper Graeme Smith and Jacques Rudolph, after taking the wicket of Rudolph with only 22 runs on the board.
With just 27 runs on the board, the Afrikaans lost their second wicket, when Smith also fell after playing a knock of 15 runs.
Disaster struck, when without scoring a run, seasoned middle-order batsman, Jacques Kallis, was caught by Mahela Jayawardene at second slip off the bowling of Chanaka Welegedara.
With the three top batsmen back in the pavilion, South Africa were in the pits of h**l and needed to halt the bowling onslaught that was unleashed upon them by the Sri Lankans.
On the other hand, when wickets were crumbling, Hashim Amla was standing at the other end as cool as a cucumber.
The mild-mannered batsman was then joined by the flamboyant AB de Villiers, as the duo tried to salvage their first innings, however, after hammering a knock of 25 runs, de Villiers lost his wicket and the hosts again suffered a batting collapse as they lost Amla for 54 runs, Mark Boucher for three and Ashwell Prince for 11 runs.
In the end, South Africa were bowled-out for 168 runs as their batting line-up was incinerated by the Sri Lankans.
From the Lankans, Welegedara bagged five wickets, while Rangana Herath took four wickets as the bowlers gave a commendable show on the second day.
The Lankans then posted seven runs for the loss of one wicket at stumps to end their stupendous day in South Africa.
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