Karabo Mogotsi and Marques Ackerman both hit career-best scores as SA Emerging declared on 588-5 on day two.
Mogotsi (200 not out) and Ackerman (156) picked up from their overnight 130-run fourth-wicket stand, and their 208 runs partnership came to an end when Sanjaya Chathuranga trapped Ackerman lbw in the 94th over. Mogotsi kept going, putting on 80 for the fifth wicket with Patrick Kruger who lost his wicket on 53 runs. The team declared after Magotsi added 25 runs with Tshepang Dithole (nine not out), with things looking promising for the South African side.
The opening batsman was still startled by his achievement, and said: ‘I don’t know how I’m feeling right now; I guess it still needs to sink in. It feels great (to have batted out the innings), it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, I’m just glad that I could help put the team in a good position.’
Ackerman said: ‘I had a really good day with the bat, it felt really good out there. I scored pretty quickly both yesterday and today, it felt good to get runs under the belt (in this format) and to contribute to the team.’
He began the day on an unbeaten 90 and hit consecutive boundaries (four and six) to get to his century. ‘I was quite nervous when we went back to the crease and it was good to just get to that 100 mark,’ Ackerman continued. ‘Getting to 150 was a really good feeling, it was the highest score I’ve ever made. It was a good occasion and a great place to make it.’
Sri Lanka were 98-1 at the close, losing the wicket of Pabasara Waduge (32), falling to Tshepo Ntuli (1-44) in the 23rd over.
Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
