Centuries from Tristan Stubbs and Temba Bavuma set up 516-run target as South African pacers leave Sri Lanka reeling at 103/5 at stumps on day three (29th November) in the first Test at Kingsmead, Durban.
Resuming the third day’s play at 132 for 3, Tristan Stubbs and Temba Bavuma extended South Africa’s lead throughout the morning session, adding 101 runs to the overnight total. During this period, Stubbs was dropped on 33 by Angelo Mathews at slip off Vishwa Fernando’s bowling.
The two right-handers continued to dominate proceedings and shattered the record books, posting the highest 4th-wicket partnership for South Africa against Sri Lanka. Shortly thereafter, Stubbs brought up his second Test hundred, becoming the first South African to reach three figures in Durban in six years.
Skipper Bavuma followed suit, registering his third Test century, building on his gritty 70 from the first innings as the lead surged past 450. Their marathon 249-run stand finally came to an end when Vishwa Fernando knocked over Stubbs’ leg stump. His impressive 122-run knock came off 221 balls and included 9 fours and 2 sixes.
Asitha Fernando eventually dismissed Bavuma, trapping him LBW just before tea. That wicket also marked the declaration of South Africa’s second innings at 366 for 5, setting Sri Lanka a mammoth target of 515 for victory. Bavuma’s outstanding 113 came from 228 deliveries and featured 9 boundaries.
Among the Sri Lankan bowlers, Vishwa Fernando stood out with figures of 2 for 64, while Prabath Jayasuriya toiled through 40 overs and claimed two wickets as well.
With a massive task ahead, Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne walked out to the middle. However, the opening stand lasted only 4.5 overs, with the latter chasing a wide delivery and edging it to slip off Kagiso Rabada after pulling him for a boundary on the previous ball. Rabada dismissed the southpaw for the sixth time in Tests.
Nissanka looked to counter-attack, striking three fours in Gerald Coetzee’s first over. He was given a reprieve after being caught behind off a no-ball by Rabada but failed to capitalize, as Coetzee trapped him LBW four balls later. Nissanka opted for the review, but it confirmed three reds, and he had to depart.
Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews tried to steady the innings, but Marco Jansen struck Mathews on the pads, ending a 44-run partnership and sending the veteran back to the pavilion. Sri Lanka was reduced to 82 for 3.
Their troubles continued as Kamindu Mendis edged behind off Jansen, leaving the visitors with no reviews remaining. Prabath Jayasuriya, sent in as the nightwatchman, was dismissed shortly after, thanks to a sharp catch by Tony de Zorzi at short-leg, leaving Sri Lanka five down with just over 100 runs on the board.
Chandimal, looking solid, remained unbeaten on 29, with skipper Dhananjaya de Silva joining him just before stumps on day three. Sri Lanka needed another 413 runs with only one recognized batter left in the lineup.
The Proteas’ pacers bowled with relentless pace, with Jansen and Rabada leading the attack, each picking up two wickets.
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