South Africa Tightens Its Hold on Sri Lanka
South Africa took a firm grip on the Test match against Sri Lanka on Day 3 at St. George’s Park, thanks to standout performances from Dane Paterson, Temba Bavuma, and Tristan Stubbs. Sri Lanka now trails by 221 runs after losing their last six wickets for just 67 runs.
Paterson’s first Test five-wicket haul, a fluent half-century from Aiden Markram, and an unbeaten 82-run stand between Bavuma and Stubbs have put South Africa in control of the match. With the pitch expected to deteriorate on Day 4, Keshav Maharaj could play a key role in closing out the game.
How the Day Unfolded
Morning Session: Paterson’s Five-For Rattles Sri Lanka
South Africa started strong with Marco Jansen breaking Sri Lanka’s resistance early. He got Angelo Mathews out with a delivery that bounced awkwardly, forcing Mathews to glove it to the keeper.
Once the new ball was taken, it was Paterson who stole the spotlight. He claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket, dismantling Sri Lanka’s middle and lower order with precision. His first big breakthrough came when he got Dhananjaya de Silva to edge to the keeper. Soon after, he bowled Kusal Mendis with a ball that nipped back in, sending the stumps cartwheeling.
Sri Lanka collapsed from 297/5 to 298/8 in a matter of minutes, courtesy of Paterson’s fiery spell. His celebration for his fifth wicket — a “baby cradle” gesture — was a heartwarming tribute to his newborn child.
Lunch: South Africa Takes Control
By lunch, Sri Lanka had been bowled out for 328, handing South Africa a 30-run first-innings lead. Jayasuriya provided a brief fightback, hitting three crisp fours, but it wasn’t enough to prevent South Africa from claiming the lead.
South Africa’s Second Innings: Bavuma and Stubbs Shine
Markram and De Zorzi Set the Tone
South Africa’s openers, Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram, started the second innings cautiously, adding 55 runs for the first wicket. De Zorzi’s innings ended when he was bowled by Prabath Jayasuriya after being beaten through the bat-pad gap.
Markram looked solid as he played some beautiful shots, including a classy cover drive to bring up his first fifty in 12 innings across formats. However, his stay was short-lived as he fell for 55, edging a wide ball to Kusal Mendis, who pulled off a stunning one-handed catch.
Bavuma and Stubbs Take Control
Ryan Rickelton failed to make a significant contribution, falling to Jayasuriya for 24. But then it was the Bavuma-Stubbs show. The duo soaked up the pressure for eight overs, scoring only 13 runs, but their patience paid off. Bavuma broke the shackles with a six off Jayasuriya, followed by another powerful six down the ground.
Stubbs brought his attacking flair to the crease, playing adventurous shots and rotating the strike effectively. He got lucky in the day’s third-last over when he bottom-edged a reverse scoop, but it went between the slip cordon and Mendis.
By stumps, South Africa had reached 191/3, with Bavuma unbeaten on 48 and Stubbs on 36. Their partnership of 82 runs put South Africa firmly in the driver’s seat with a lead of 221 runs.
What’s Next?
With the pitch starting to show signs of wear and tear, Sri Lanka will need quick wickets on Day 4. The highest successful chase at St. George’s Park is 271, and South Africa is already 50 runs short of that total.
Keshav Maharaj’s spin could come into play as cracks on the surface are expected to widen. Sri Lanka will look to Prabath Jayasuriya, who has already picked up two wickets, to make inroads into South Africa’s batting lineup.
Key Performers of the Day
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Dane Paterson | 5/71 – First Test five-for |
| Temba Bavuma | 48* – On course for fourth 50+ score in the series |
| Tristan Stubbs | 36* – Aggressive strokeplay at a crucial time |
| Aiden Markram | 55 – First fifty in 12 innings |
| Prabath Jayasuriya | 2/75 – Key threat for Sri Lanka |
FAQs
1. How many wickets did Dane Paterson take in Sri Lanka’s first innings?
Paterson took five wickets for 71 runs, his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
2. Who is leading South Africa’s charge with the bat in the second innings?
Temba Bavuma (48*) and Tristan Stubbs (36*) are leading South Africa’s second-innings charge.
3. How many runs is South Africa leading by at the end of Day 3?
South Africa leads by 221 runs at the end of Day 3.
4. How did Sri Lanka’s batting collapse happen?
Sri Lanka lost six wickets for just 67 runs in the morning session, thanks to a fiery spell from Dane Paterson.
5. What’s the highest successful chase at St. George’s Park?
The highest successful chase at St. George’s Park is 271 runs. Sri Lanka will need to make history if they are to win this match.