A long day at the crease

Ninety-Eight overs is a long time in Test cricket, especially on the last day of a match in which the opposition have picked their bowlers well, and when you need only a draw to clinch the series.

That is the Proteas' challenge going into the last day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo today.

The visitors reached yesterday's enforced close on 38/1. The 331 more runs South Africa will need to win today is even further away than the minimum of 98 overs they will have to face to escape with a draw.

What of the bad light and rain that took 35.1 overs out of yesterday's play? Today's forecast is a good chance of thundershowers.

The task is still as tough as it gets. But incentives do not come bigger for Hashim Amla's team. If they do not lose today they will become the first South African side to claim both the Test and one-day series on a tour to Sri Lanka. However, trying not to lose can be more difficult than attempting to win.

Not that South Africa had taken their eye off the ultimate prize.

"Sri Lanka have played most of the cricket in this Test, but we are in the fight," AB de Villiers said. "We're in with a shout; more hard work and we'll reassess at tea."

An indication that the Proteas still harboured hopes of victory came with Quinton de Kock's promotion to No3. He was 21 not out and looking good at the early close.

"He's a positive player and he bats up the order at home (in domestic cricket)," De Villiers said.

Sri Lanka built their lead to 368 before declaring with 38 overs scheduled to be bowled, only 17 materialised because of the weather.

Enterprising batting by Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews kept the home side going forward, and their stand of 81 was a double-edged sword that gleamed with intent.

Unlike in the first innings, when he succumbed first ball, Sangakkara kept his head and his wicket to score 72. Mathews saw the job through to the end, reaching 63 not out before calling a halt to his team's innings.

Dale Steyn and Morné Morkel will be quietly chuffed with what they achieved yesterday. Steyn picked up 2/59 and Morkel's 4/45 earned him his 200th wicket in his 58th Test.

But this match is Sri Lanka's for the winning. Whatever the war talk, most of South Africa's focus will be on survival.