Lahiru Kumara to Bavuma, 1 run, to deep backward point
56.1
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, 1 run, fuller length delivery on the pads, clipped to the right of mid-on for a single
Most consecutive 50+ scores as a South African Captain 6 - Alan Melville in 1939-1947 5 - Hansie Cronje in 1998 4* - Temba Bavuma in 2024
Lahiru Kumara [10.0-0-40-0] is back into the attack
A slip and a gully for Kumara
55.6
Dhananjaya to Tristan Stubbs, 1 run, to mid-off
55.5
Dhananjaya to Bavuma, 1 run, DDS tosses one on middle, worked wide of mid-wicket and Bavuma brings up another half-century, his 4th successive 50+ scorer of the series
55.4
Dhananjaya to Tristan Stubbs, 1 run, to long-on
55.3
Dhananjaya to Bavuma, 1 run, slower and shorter from DDS, worked into the gap wide of mid-wicket for a single
55.2
Dhananjaya to Bavuma, no run, Bavuma comes down the pitch to a well flighted delivery and finds short mid-wicket with the tuck
A short mid-wicket as well
55.1
Dhananjaya to Bavuma, no run
Dhananjaya de Silva [2.0-0-6-0] is back into the attack
The players are out in the middle and we're ready to go.
"Another cloudy morning, and a light westerly is blowing. The pitch should still be good for batting for the first session at least." - pings Telford Vice.
'This has been a really good surface, not many demons out here. There are some green patches, but not many cracks or bruises, the odd ball might climb or stay low. There are a lot of indentations around though and that could make batting slightly tough. Sri Lanka will need early wickets and they need to get the ball to reverse,' reckon Mike Haysman and Vernon Philander, in his pitch report
09:30 Local Time, 07:30 GMT, 13:00 IST: While the other two Tests in Adelaide and Wellington were fast and frenetic, it has been a traditional slow burner at the St. George's Park, Gqeberha, as South Africa look to extend their advantage over the visiting Sri Lankan side. WTC points are paramount and India's loss has put South Africa in pole position as far as qualification to the June final is concerned. They've fate in their own hands and they just need to win this Test and the next series against Pakistan to secure a place at Lord's. For now though, the immediate task at hand is to extend their current 21-run leadq into something substantial and give their bowlers enough time to take 10 wickets and seal the series. Aiden Markram made a fine half-century while Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs looked extremely fluent. The pitch is still a decent one to bat and the weather forecast looks fair. Sri Lanka's bowlers toiled hard without much success and will have more work to do this morning.
17:32 Local Time, 15:32 GMT, 21:02 IST -- Stumps, Day 3: An incredible day for South Africa which sees them in the driver's seat. They were slightly behind when the day started but have come roaring back to take the initiative. It all started with Jansen getting rid of the two overnight batters - Mathews and Kamindu - either side of the second new ball. Dane Paterson then rose to the occasion and ran through the lower order, registering his maiden Test 5-fer in the process. South Africa's openers got them off to a solid start by adding a 50+ stand. Prabath Jayasuriya broke that partnership and picked up first innings centurion Rickelton as the ball started to spin from the rough. However, fifty from Markram and an unbeaten 82-run stand between Stubbs and Bavuma has taken South Africa's lead to 221. The pitch has started to play some tricks and chasing anything above 250 won't be easy. Sri Lanka need a special effort from both their bowlers and batters if they are to level the series. Can they fight back? Join us tomorrow to find out. Goodbye..
South Africa
Sri Lanka
