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Stubbs and Bavuma bat South Africa into commanding position against Sri Lanka

Stubbs and Bavuma bat South Africa into commanding position against Sri Lanka
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 29: Temba Bavuma, captain of South Africa during day 3 of the 1st Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on November 29, 2024 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)
Sri Lanka 42 and 103 for 5 (Chandimal 29*, Jansen 2-22, Rabada 2-34) need another 413 runs to beat South Africa 191 and 366 for 5 dec (Stubbs 122, Bavuma 113, Vishwa 2-64)

Tristan Stubbs (122 off 221) and Temba Bavuma (113 off 228) struck excellent centuries to guide South Africa to a massive advantage before South Africa’s fast-bowlers knocked five Sri Lankan wickets back late on day three.

Continuing overnight, Stubbs and Bavuma had moved comfortably through the session, scoring 101 runs in 33 overs, rotating strike well while boundaries dried up in tricky batting conditions.

Stubbs offered one opportunity, dropped at slip before reaching his half-century. While Bavuma kicked on from his first-innings 70, reaching his third-half century in chanceless fashion, although he moved through the 90s nervously.

The big-hitting Stubbs moved from 50 to 100 more assuredly, striking left-arm finger spinner Prabath Jayasuriya for two big sixes, to go with his nine boundaries, in reaching his second career Test century in only his sixth Test match.

The pair’s 249-run stand equalled the record for the fourth wicket at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium.

It was never particularly free-flowing for the batters with Stubbs bowled by Vishwa Fernando in an attempt to up his tempo, after reaching his career-high score in the format.

David Bedingham struck two fours and a six in his 11-ball stay at the crease but South Africa declared on 366 for five on the stroke of tea after Bavuma’s dismissal, setting Sri Lanka an improbable total of 516 to win.

Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs at Kingsmead Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma (right) walks over to congratulate teammate Tristan Stubbs on achieving his century on the third day of the first Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on 29 November. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images)



Temba Bavuma at Kingsmead Skipper Temba Bavuma on his way to his century on the third day of the first Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on 29 November. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images)



Batting struggles

Sri Lanka’s batting woes continued from the first innings when they were bowled out for 42.

It was once again a case of poor batting techniques displayed by the Sri Lankan batters with Dimuth Karunaratne driving away from his body in the fifth over and only managing to edge a Kagiso Rabada delivery to Stubbs at slip.

Pathum Nissanka then planted his front foot early and outside of offstump before being trapped LBW by a Gerald Coetzee delivery.

Not to be outdone, first innings bowling hero Marco Jansen came around the wicket and caught Angelo Mathews plumb in front with the batter’s feet stuck in the crease.

Rabada had Dinesh Chandimal strangled down the leg-side, but upon closer inspection the umpires discovered that Rabada had overstepped in his delivery stride.

It was a problem he struggled with throughout his opening spell, an issue Marco Jansen struggled with in both innings despite picking up wickets regularly.

Kumandi Mendis, who arrived on South African shores with an average over 90, also fell, with his batting technique letting him down too. He caught a thin edge, flailing away from his body, to a Jansen delivery, caught by keeper Kyle Verreynne.

With the day meandering to a close, Tony de Zorzi pulled off a blinder of a catch to nab South Africia’s fifth wicket.

Nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya flicked a Rabada delivery from his heels straight out of the middle of his bat and thought it would be racing away for four but De Zorzi, fielding at short leg, followed the ball all the way into his hands to grab an excellent reflex catch just above his head.

South Africa are now on the verge of a first win over Sri Lanka in Durban for the first time ever, requiring five more wickets on day four, with Sri Lanka needing a challenging 413 more runs to seal their second win at the ground. DM

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