South Africa requires 5 wickets, and Sri Lanka wants 143 runs because the second take a look at heads for a doubtlessly thrilling conclusion on Monday, with each side determined for victory as they chase a spot within the World Take a look at Championship closing.
Sri Lanka was 205-5 at stumps on the fourth day on Sunday, chasing a goal of 348 to win and sq. the sequence, whereas South Africa will likely be seeking to run via the remaining batters and safe a 2-0 win.
An unbeaten partnership of 83 between captain Dhananajaya de Silva and Kusal Mendes, each 39 not out, provided Sri Lanka hope of victory as they saved up a brisk run price of over 4 per over, though they would want to considerably higher probably the most profitable run chase on the venue, which was Australia’s 271-8 in opposition to South Africa in 1997.
The pair will resume on Monday, with Sri Lanka needing a win to remain in rivalry for a berth within the WTC decider at Lord’s subsequent June. If South Africa can safe victory, it is going to go above Australia into high place within the standings.
After dismissing South Africa for 317 quickly after lunch, Sri Lanka got here out with attacking intent however misplaced openers Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne earlier than tea.
Karunaratne was lbw to Kagiso Rabada for a single, whereas Nissanka hit 4 boundaries earlier than perishing for 18 as he chased a large supply from Dane Paterson, who then had Dinesh Chandimal trapped lbw for 29 firstly of the final session.
Keshav Maharaj’s spin accounted for Angelo Mathews, who was bowled for 32 when he missed a supply that was tossed up.
The harmful Kamindu Mendes saved up the attacking intent and scored 35 runs off as many balls however received a bat-pad to a Maharaj supply with wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne diving ahead to take a one-handed catch proper below the ft of the batsman.
Earlier, spinner Prabath Jayasuriya took a primary five-wicket haul exterior Sri Lanka with figures of 5-129, and captain Temba Bavuma top-scored for the host in its second innings.
Bavuma, 34, resumed in a single day on 48, finishing his twenty fourth take a look at fifty within the first over, and moved on to 66 earlier than being undone by Jayasuriya.
South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 233 runs in Durban to win the primary match of the two-test sequence.