Sri Lanka are currently in South Africa to play the two-match Test series. The first match took place at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The hosts took the opening lead in the Test series as they won by an innings and 45 runs. Faf du Plessis was the star of the show as he scored a magnificent knock.
Sadly, he missed out on scoring a double century. He is the 11th Test batsman to get dismissed on 199. His innings included a flurry of 24 fours to his name. Sri Lankan batsmen did their best to confront the Proteas but failed to add value to the scorecard in both innings.
The hosts had to bat just once after posting a gigantic total. Earlier, the visitors won the toss and decided to bowl first. South Africa set up a great platform in the form of Dean Elgar and Markram. The duo added a vital 141-run stand before Markram got out on 68 (14 fours).
Elgar missed out on scoring a century by 5 runs after being caught and bowled by Shanaka. Faf du Plessis and Temba Bavuma took the game away from the visitors by adding a 179-run stand.
South Africa batsman Bavuma walks off field despite being not out
South Africa was causing all sorts of trouble to Sri Lanka by scoring runs. Sri Lanka captain Karunaratne brought Shanaka into the attack. The right-arm fast bowler delivered a short-pitched ball slightly towards the off-stump.
Bavuma who was batting on 71 (7 fours) decided to hit the ball towards the off-side. But, he ended up missing it completely in the follow-through. There was no contact between the bat and the ball.
Though Shanaka and Dickwella weren’t fully convinced, they decided to appeal in a light-hearted manner. Without even seeing the umpire’s judgment, Temba Bavuma walked off the field.
But the South Africa bowling coach Charles Langeveldt gave a confusing reaction. The TV replays showed that Bavuma didn’t even make any contact with the ball. Shockingly, the batsman left the field thinking that he got an inside edge.
Watch the video below:
Faf du Plessis – Man of the Match
The former South Africa captain was adjudged the Player of the Match for his batting masterclass. South Africa posted a mammoth total of 621 in the first innings. Maharaj played his part by scoring 73 at the end.
Wanindu Hasaranga was the top bowler for Sri Lanka as he accounted for 4 dismissals. Viswa Fernando took 3 wickets. Sri Lanka was bundled out for 396 and 180 runs in the first and second innings.
Chandimal was the pick of the batsmen for the visitors. He scored 85 runs in the first innings. His innings included as many as 11 fours. Dhananjaya de Silva scored 79 while Shanaka remained not on 66.
Kusal Perera and Hasaranga showed some fight in the second innings. Perera scored 64 while Hasaranga scored 59. South Africa pacer Sipamla took 6 wickets and Wiaan Mulder took 5 wickets in the game.
