Suranga Lakmal cracked Stephen Cook’s defence and piled pressure on Hashim Amla in one immaculate over to earn our Play of the Day.
The Proteas had opted to bat a second time, even with a lead of 282, which they had extended to 317 by the close on day two of the second Test at Newlands. It would have been so easy for the Sri Lankans to surrender, but they showed some fighting spirit in the morning of day three.
This was epitomised by Lakmal, who ended with 4-69 when the Proteas declared at 224-7. Among those four was the wicket of Hashim Amla, who has been struggling for runs. He got a great delivery which pitched on off and shaped away, to be taken behind for a rare duck. Four balls earlier, he had removed opener Stephen Cook for 30, edging to slip.
He also ended the burgeoning innings of JP Duminy (30) and Faf du Plessis (41).
In the greater scheme of things, it won’t affect the result, but Lakmal at least showed he was up for a fight. Pity he didn’t get a five-for.
Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix
