The first day of the second Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Gqeberha produced early drama. Lahiru Kumara‘s fiery spell left the hosts reeling at St George’s Park. Electing to bat first after winning the toss, South Africa stuttered to 82/3 by lunch.
South Africa’s Top Order Crumbles
South Africa’s start couldn’t have been worse. Tony de Zorzi departed for a duck in the second over, leaving the Proteas scrambling. Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton then steadied the ship briefly, batting for 11 overs. Just as the pair began to build momentum, Kumara struck with a peach of a delivery.
The second ball of the 12th over—a fast, full-length rocket—left Markram completely outfoxed. A straight drive attempt saw him miss the line completely, with the ball zipping through to uproot the middle stump, sending the Proteas opener back for 20 runs.
Markram’s dismissal became the turning point. Kumara’s sheer pace and precision rattled the South African dressing room, and the hosts found it difficult to recover from there.
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Watch the Dismissal Here:
Lahiru Kumara Completes 100 Test Wickets
Kumara wasn’t done yet. He returned to haunt the hosts further, dismissing Tristan Stubbs for just 4 runs. With this wicket, Kumara reached a remarkable milestone, becoming the fifth Sri Lankan pacer and the ninth overall Sri Lankan bowler to claim 100 Test wickets.
The morning session saw the Proteas’ top-order falter under pressure. Tony de Zorzi fell early in the second over, leaving the hosts at 0/1. Markram and Rickelton tried to steady the ship, lasting 11 overs together, but Kumara’s brilliance broke the stand.
By lunch, Rickelton remained unbeaten on 19*, with South Africa hoping for a revival in the remaining two sessions. Joining him would be South Africa’s skipper Temba Bavuma. Bavume is coming fresh off a century in the last game.
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