Sri Lanka v South Africa - Official Second Test Match Thread

[adamberry]

The second test started today, with South Africa being bowled out for a relatively respectable 361.

AB de Villiers was the big scorer, hitting 95 before becoming Lasith Malinga's third victim. Ashwell Prince also hit 86 in a big century stand with de Villiers for the 5th wicket.

Muttiah Muralitharan took another 5 wickets for Sri Lanka to take his Test tally to exactly 650.

How will Sri Lanka fare in reply? And will they be tied down by the return of Shaun Pollock?

[Vrock]

Originally Posted by adamberry

How will Sri Lanka fare in reply? And will they be tied down by the return of Shaun Pollock?

I think Sri Lanka will continue the form they showed in the last test, Pollock will bring accuracy and keep the run rate down but is unlikely to cause too many problems with a reported batting track making scoring easy, as South Africa, at times, showed in their innings.

Andrew Hall hasn't been doing too great at opening so far and Gibbs has had an awful time in getting a second ball duck, not good for confidence levels.

[John]

I will settle for 361. Hopefully we can get a few wickets this time. Maybe get a lead maybe.

[John]

Lunch 98-5 Sri Lanka. Well I thought any lead would be a bonus. It looks like we might finally dictate the terms in a Test match.

[John]

Two quick wickets put SA back on track 191-7. Makes a nice change the boot being on the other foot. Just three more wickets and SA have a great chance of coming out of credit this tour.

[oracle]

210/7 now SA looking good for a lead of about a 100 !

[Vrock]

There's only one man that can stop South Africa gaining a lead in the first innings, and that is the returning Chaminda Vaas. Once again, like he did against England, he is proving to be very good with the bat.

South Africa's day certainly, to be in a position that leaves the honours at least even after the first innings is an extremely good performance from SA.

[John]

Well SA putting themselves in a great position. 106-1 at lunch.

[John]

Just 200 ahead 4 wickets down. A fifty partnership needed.

[batoutofhell]

297 runs lead with 4 wickets in hand
south africa in a great position to win this match despite of good batting pitch if their opening bowlers can bowl like the way they did in the first innings
the main threat will be sangakara and jayawardene
anything around 375 wil be really tough to chase(even in good batting wicket)due to the last inning pressure)
i am expecting a good show by shaun pollock in the second innings(in 1st innings he was below average)