Sri Lanka in South Africa 2016-17

Sri Lanka ddid better than expected dduring their last tour to South Africa. Can do that this time round? South Africca are on the way back after a difficult last year or so. But they have injuries, to their best batsman and best bowler. Regardless, they are a formidable unit.
Sri Lanka is a different side to the one that came last time. No Sanga, Mahela or Dilshan. But Rangana Herath, who won a test for them in that series is still around. Dinesh Chandimal, who made his test debut during that pprefvious tour is now their leading batsman, and there are a few young players who are expected to be Sri Lanka's future for the next decade or so. Skipper Angelo Mathews would be hoping that his side can hold their own though the hosts would go into the series as favorites

For South Africa, Keshav Maharaj, who was overlooked for the last test against Australia is back. Otherwise they remain unchanged, meaning they are going in with 4 bowlers and Duminy.
For Sri Lanka, Chandimal and Mathews are back from injury that ruled them out for the Zimbabwe tests. Nuwan Pradeep is also back.

Batting first, the South African openers have given their side a fine start, putting together 84 so far.

Lanka has 4 bowlers + 2 all rounders ( d silva and mathews)
makes it 4 seamers and 2 spinners ....quite a balanced attack ...but nothing in the pitch yet to assist any of their bowlers

Hundred partnership for the South African openers.

Seems a rather flat pitch for now. No swing, seam, pace or, on expected lines, no spin whatsoever.

From a position of 104 without loss, South Africa were pulled back by the Sri Lankans as the hosts ended day 1 at 267-6. There were 50s for Steven Cook and JP Duminy, and Elgar fell 5 short of 50. Even Amla and du Plessis got starts that weren't converted. It wasn't the most difficult pitch really. However, Suranga Lakmal and Rangana Herath helped Sri Lanka gain an edge at stumps. Lakmal took 4 wickets and Herath took out 2.
For South Africa, Quinton de Kock is still there to fight on, and in Vernon Philander and Keshav Maharaj, they have a bowling all-rounder and a bowler who can bat to support him. Abbott and Rabada can swing a few as well. They would be hoping to reach at least 360 370. Considering the start they had, anything less should be a serious disappointment.
For Sri Lanka, they would hope their good work with the ball wouldn't be wasted, and that South Africa can be rapped up for around at most 320 330.

to get SA a.o for 286 is no mean feat...well bowled lankans

but now they are on the mat at 27-3....they have to get even on first inning scores through their middle and lower order

Impressive effort from the Lankan bowlers to bowl South Africa for 286. 5 for Suranga Lakmal, and unlike yesterday, Nuwan Pradeep stepped up, taking out 2 wickets.
However, Vernon Philander and Kyle Abbot hit back for South Africa, reducing Sri Lanka to 37-3 at lunch.

Lanka 100 runs behind and only 3 wicktes in hand......Dhananjay D'Silva the hero of the Aussie series ( barely averaging 32 in FC ) is now averaging 65 and batting on 46.....
he has to with tailenders get Lanka to within 50 runs of SA...to be in the game

Sri Lankan bats have rather butchered the opportunity their bowlers had (somewhat surprisingly) given them. Though SA bowlers in helpful conditions are a handful for anyone !
Didn't see the early wickets but the tail seems to have done better than the top end...Herath useful resistance but you'd think they are still too far adrift to get back into the game now.
Funny game : watching day one early I thought it would be 450-350 etc etc...then someone threw a switch and the bowlers took over...

SA lead by 80 in fist inning and the script is getting set for a ~350 run chase by Lanka in the 4th inning.

the only thing working to their advantage......pitch should become easier to bat with every passing days. 

For now Lanka must focus at getting SA for 250ish in their 2nd inning........

lanka lost control......SA scored at nearly 4.5rpo and lead by 440 runs
only rain can save lanka

SA declared with a target of 488 but left a 175 possible overs for Lanka

that's too much time ( too many overs) left....unless they have a reliable forecast of losing about 75 overs to rain

One of these days a team will lose by conceding 450+ due to overconfidence of " it's enough".....and " it's never been done before"...an this could happen tomm also

On the last tour to SA India almost conceded 455 in the 4th inning to SA and came within a whisker of losing.

Teams must limit not only by runs when setting a target....but also time ( or overs) leave close to 3.5RPO target rate.

so for 488 run target SA should have left not more than 140 overs...well 150 max

2 wickets too many lost by SA...the first and the last wicket to fall were absolute wastes
run-rate wise 240 needed on the last day is well within the range.

they may fall short by a 100 or so

This is plain embaressing

So it's official Kyle Abbott is joining Rilee Roussow at Hampshire, therefore turning their backs on international cricket.

I think sri lanka have done that as well

3rd test - SA well on top after day 2.  Sri Lanka bowlers fought back well after big hundreds by Duminy and Amla. But the pitch seems to be doing more and Sri Lanka 80 - 4 in reply to 426.

Making Pakistan and England look professional.