By Ken Borland
CAPE TOWN Jan 5 (Reuters) – South Africa need only
six more wickets to clinch their three-test series against Sri
Lanka after forcing the visitors to follow on on the third day
of the third test at Newlands on Thursday.
At the close Sri Lanka were 138 for four in their second
innings, still trailing by 203 runs.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith, who declared his team’s
innings closed at 580 for four on Wednesday, enforced the
follow-on after Sri Lanka lost their last three wickets for 20
runs in the half hour after lunch.
Dale Steyn bowled with great intensity and control before
the interval to give his team a firm grip on the test, adhering
to a wonderful line just outside off stump and moving the ball
away at high pace.
Steyn started the rot when he removed Kumar Sangakkara,
who drove lazily to Hashim Amla at point, for 35 with the third
ball of the day.
Vernon Philander, who could have taken more wickets with a
bit more luck, then found the edge of Thilan Samaraweera’s bat
as the veteran prodded at another fine delivery that nipped away
from back of alength outside the off stump. Jacques Kallis took
a low catch at second slip and Samaraweera was out for 11.
Steyn, who did not stray from his exemplary line all
morning, then returned half an hour before lunch and Mahela
Jayawardene (30) was not able to resist pushing firmly at a
delivery outside off stump, edging another catch to Kallis at
second slip.
Angelo Mathews did not trouble Steyn for long, making just a
single before he dabbed at an away-swinger and wicketkeeper
Mark Boucher took a good catch diving forward.
Continued…
