Gqeberha: Dane Paterson’s impressive five-wicket haul on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at St George’s Park put South Africa in a commanding position. His efforts helped dismiss Sri Lanka for 328, giving South Africa a 30-run lead. By the close of play, South Africa had advanced to 191 for three, extending their overall lead to 221 runs.
Paterson’s late-career revival continued as he delivered a stellar performance with the ball, taking five wickets for 71 runs in a spell of pure swing bowling. His sensational five-wicket haul was key to Sri Lanka losing seven wickets for just 86 runs, leaving them unable to add much to their overnight score of 242 for three.
Paterson’s Performance Takes Center Stage
The Crucial Wickets
At 35 years old, Paterson’s international career seemed to have peaked during his brief stint in 2019-20 when he played in two Tests against England. However, after several successful seasons in English county cricket with Nottinghamshire, Paterson received a surprise call-up from South Africa’s new Test coach, Shukri Conrad, following his failure to land a spot in the 2024 SA20 league.
Paterson’s accuracy and control were pivotal in the match, and with the absence of key fast bowlers Gerald Coetzee and Wiaan Mulder, his inclusion proved to be a masterstroke. His ability to complement Kagiso Rabada’s pace and Marco Jansen’s bounce was crucial, particularly in Sri Lanka’s collapse on Day 3.
Paterson struck a devastating blow to Sri Lanka’s lower-middle order, taking three wickets in a single over. His victims included Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva (14), Kusal Mendis (16), and Lahiru Kumara (0), all of whom were dismissed within the span of five balls. Paterson’s final wicket, that of Vishwa Fernando (2), completed his maiden Test five-wicket haul.
Jansen and Rabada: Strong Support
Marco Jansen also played an integral role in the morning session, dismissing Angelo Mathews for 44 with the old ball and claiming the first wicket with the new ball, getting Kamindu Mendis out cheaply. This created the perfect platform for Paterson’s brilliant display of swing bowling. Rabada and Jansen’s pace created opportunities for Paterson to attack the Sri Lankan batsmen with his consistent line and length.
South Africa’s Solid Second Innings
A Steady Start
In South Africa’s second innings, Sri Lanka’s bowlers made early inroads with the ball. The first to fall was Tony de Zorzi, dismissed by left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya for just 19. Despite these early setbacks, South Africa’s innings gained momentum with Aiden Markram leading the way with a fluent 55.
Markram’s innings was one of measured aggression, as he weathered the storm of Sri Lanka’s spinners before being brilliantly caught by Kusal Mendis off Fernando’s bowling. This dismissal reduced South Africa to 109 for three, with the match still finely poised.
The Unbeaten Stand
Following the departure of Markram, Tristan Stubbs and South African captain Temba Bavuma steadied the ship. The pair added an unbeaten 82 runs in a vital partnership, helping South Africa close the day at 191 for three. Stubbs remained on 36, while Bavuma played a composed knock to end the day on 48.
With the overnight lead now standing at 221, South Africa is in a strong position to extend their advantage further on Day 4, with an overall lead that may prove too challenging for Sri Lanka to chase.
The Bigger Picture: South Africa’s World Test Championship Hopes
A Must-Win Game for Both Teams
The ongoing Test match is crucial for both sides as they continue their push to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s. A win in this match would be vital for South Africa, especially as they look ahead to a two-match home series against Pakistan later this month. If they win both the second Test and the series against Pakistan, South Africa’s place in the WTC final will be assured.
The match also holds significant importance for Sri Lanka, who are chasing a place in the WTC final. The outcome of this series will have lasting consequences for both teams in the ongoing global Test competition.
Scoreboard
South Africa’s First Innings: 358
Sri Lanka’s First Innings: 328
FALL OF WICKETS:
- 1-41 (Karunaratne)
- 2-150 (Chandimal)
- 3-199 (Nissanka)
- 4-261 (Mathews)
- 5-268 (K. Mendis)
- 6-297 (de Silva)
- 7-298 (K. Mendis)
- 8-298 (Kumara)
- 9-327 (Fernando)
- 10-328 (Jayasuriya)
BOWLING:
- Rabada: 24-7-56-1
- Jansen: 25-4-100-2
- Paterson: 22-4-71-5
- Maharaj: 24.2-5-65-2
- Markram: 4-0-15-0
South Africa’s Second Innings: 191 for 3
FALL OF WICKETS:
- 1-55 (de Zorzi)
- 2-96 (Markram)
- 3-109 (Rickelton)
BOWLING:
- Fernando: 14-4-34-1
- A. Fernando: 9-1-29-0
- Kumara: 10-0-40-0
- Jayasuriya: 20-1-75-2
- De Silva: 2-0-6-0
Key Contributions and Breakthroughs
- Paterson’s Five-Wicket Haul: The standout performance of the match, with Paterson’s five wickets crucial in dismantling Sri Lanka’s lower order.
- Markram’s Solid 55: His composed innings kept South Africa in a strong position during their chase.
- Jansen’s Early Breakthroughs: Jansen’s pace and accuracy gave South Africa an edge early on, with vital wickets from both ends.
Conclusion: A Test Match for the Ages
As the match continues, South Africa looks to push their advantage further. Paterson’s exceptional spell of swing bowling combined with the steady partnership between Stubbs and Bavuma leaves South Africa in a commanding position to take control of this Test. Sri Lanka will need a monumental effort to turn the tide, with their hopes resting on the shoulders of their bowlers.
FAQs
1. What was Dane Paterson’s performance in the second Test?
Dane Paterson took five wickets for 71 runs, including three wickets in a single over, helping South Africa bowl out Sri Lanka for 328 and take a 30-run first innings lead.
2. How did South Africa perform in their second innings?
South Africa scored 191 for three by the close of play, extending their lead to 221 runs with Aiden Markram contributing 55 and Temba Bavuma remaining unbeaten on 48.
3. What is the significance of the ongoing Test match for South Africa?
This Test is crucial for South Africa’s chances to qualify for the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. A win here and in their upcoming series against Pakistan will secure their spot in the final.
4. How did Sri Lanka collapse in their first innings?
Sri Lanka lost seven wickets for just 86 runs on the third day, largely due to Paterson’s sensational bowling and support from Jansen and Rabada.
5. What does the match mean for Sri Lanka’s WTC hopes?
Sri Lanka is also aiming to qualify for the World Test Championship final, and their performance in this series will have a significant impact on their hopes.
