Sri Lanka face uphill task in deciding Test

South Africa enforce follow-on, claim early wickets.


Afp January 05, 2012

CAPE TOWN: Sri Lanka faced an uphill battle to avoid defeat after captain Tillakaratne Dilshan was out early in their follow-on innings on the third day of the third and final Test against South Africa at Newlands.

Sri Lanka were 42 for one at tea, still 299 runs short of making South Africa bat again.

Sri Lanka were earlier bowled out for 239 in their first-innings, with fast-bowlers Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander taking three wickets apiece. Philander struck again in the fourth over of the follow-on when Dilshan drove loosely at a ball which moved away, edging a catch to wicket-keeper Mark Boucher. Lahiru Thirimanne should have followed when he edged Morne Morkel but Boucher put down a straightforward chance.

Earlier, Sri Lanka collapsed in their first-innings, losing eight wickets for 90 runs after resuming on 149 for two. Steyn took three for 56 and Philander continued the good start to his career, finishing with three for 46 as the duo made it difficult for the tourists to settle in.

Dinesh Chandimal, who made two half-centuries on debut in the second Test in Durban, which Sri Lanka won, hit 35 off 45 deliveries but the tail crumbled before he was the last man out.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2012.

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