The Proteas finished with a 145-run first-innings lead after Vishwa Fernando sizzled at the Wanderers.
The Proteas will reflect on the second day’s batting effort with dismay. What started so promisingly, ended up being an utter capitulation during which they lost eight wickets for 82 runs. Fernando was the chief destroyer, finishing with figures of 5-101.
Wiaan Mulder and Temba Bavuma saw the Proteas to lunch after their disastrous morning. But Mulder was out in the first over after play resumed, trapped LBW by Fernando, and an over later knicked off Keshav Maharaj.
Bavuma was the Proteas’ last recognised batsman, and one hoped that he would show the type of resolve he did at SuperSport Park to rebuild the innings. Instead, he left a ball that ripped back viciously, trapping him in dead in front.
From there it was a procession of wickets, with none of the remaining Proteas batters able to mount any form of resistance.
That meant the Proteas took a 145-run lead into the Sri Lanka second innings. It was sizeable enough for them to be aggressive in their approach.
Lungi Ngidi got the hosts off to the perfect start when he bowled the dangerous Kusal Perera through the gate. Sri Lanka survived the remainder of the session without losing another wicket and will resume on 16-1, trailing by 129 runs.
