Lungisani Ngidi picked up three wickets to tame a Sri Lanka batting attack on the second day of the second Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Monday.
But Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne was outstanding as he put up some resistance scoring 91 runs from 116 balls in his team’s fight back despite Kusal Perera (1), Lahiru Thirimanna (31) and Kusal Mendis having fallen victim to Ngidi’s bowling in the visitors’ second innings.
The Sri Lankans, who were bowled out for 157 in the first innings, were responding to the Proteas’ first innings score of 302.
However, they found that Ngidi was uncompromising refusing to give them freedom to do as they wish on the crease.
Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortje also chipped in taking Minod Bhanuka’s wicket, who left the crease with a duck.
Nortje improved his career best in the first innings when he took six wickets for 56 runs on the first day of the Test. He bettered his
previous figures of five for 101 against England at the same venue.
At stumps, the Sri Lankans were 150 for four after 39 overs with Karunaratne and Niroshan Dickwella still standing.
Meanwhile, Dean Elgar scored his 13th Test century after facing 133 balls and knocking 18 boundaries.
Elgar’s impressive display on the crease was halted by Dushmantha Chameera.
Rassie van der Dussen was the other Proteas player to hit a decent score knocking 67 runs off 127 deliveries. Dasun Shanaka claimed Van der Dussen’s wicket. Dickwella gloved Van der Dussen’s attempt behind the stumps.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka bowler Vishwa Fernando took five wickets for 101 in 23.4 overs to register his career best.
