SA edge closer to victory at St George's Park

South Africa took two more steps towards winning the first test against Sri Lanka at St George’s Park on Thursday.

The visitors reached tea on the fourth day on 118/2 in search of a target of 488 - more than they have ever made in a fourth innings and more than has yet been scored in a fourth innings in South Africa.

South Africa resumed their second innings on 351/5‚ and Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock batted on for 11.5 overs before the declaration came.

Captain Du Plessis called a halt to the innings even as television umpire Rod Tucker was adjudicating De Kock’s challenge to being given out leg-before to Rangana Herath.

Both Du Plessis and De Kock had left the field by the time umpire Bruce Oxenford‚ who had given De Kock out originally‚ was able to raise his finger in confirmation.

South Africa declared on 406/6 with Du Plessis unbeaten on 67 and De Kock out for 69.

Their partnership of 129 was the highest in a match in which all four century stands have been shared by South Africans.

Sri Lanka’s opening pair‚ Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva‚ showed patience in a partnership that endured for almost two-and-a-half hours and realised 87 runs - the Lankans’ best for the first wicket in the 11 tests they have played in South Africa.

South Africa made the breakthrough in the 13th over before tea when Karunaratne was run out for 43 by JP Duminy’s throw from the covers.

Sri Lanka were another wicket down 14 balls later thanks to Kusal Perera’s ragged cut off Keshav Maharaj‚ which was edged to De Kock.

The steady Silva was 48 not out at tea with Kusal Mendis on 14. - TMG Digital