Tour Match: South Africa 'A' v Sri Lankans at Kimberley, 25-25 Oct 2002 CricInfo Live Report

Tour Match: South Africa 'A' v Sri Lankans at Kimberley, 25-25 Oct 2002
Keith Lane

Sri Lankans 2nd innings: Lunch, Drinks, Tea, Stumps,
South Africa 'A' 2nd innings: Drinks, Declared,
Live Reports from previous days

SOUTH AFRICA 'A' AND SRI LANKA SETTLE FOR A DRAW IN KIMBERLEY
Sri Lanka and South Africa drew their four-day match in Kimberley when bad light brought a premature end to the game. At that stage Sri Lanka was 239/4 with no chance of either team winning.

A partnership of 96, and Atapattu’s aspirations of scoring a hundred in each innings, came to an end when he tried to drive Elworthy through the covers, only to find it flying straight at extra cover. Out for 88 and Sri Lanka two down for 160.

The players left the field for about five minutes due to rain and on their return Sangakkara became Peterson’s second wicket when he failed to clear mid on in attempting to go over the fielder. Out for an entertaining 70 and Sri Lanka 200/3.

Mahela Jayawardene became Peterson’s third victim when going on the pull top edged straight to square leg for 39. Once again he showed that he is a class player, punishes anything loose.

With the light deteriorating Sanath Jayasuriya and Hashan Tillakaratne batted out the final overs until the light was offered.

STALEMATE IN KIMBERLEY AS SRI LANKA CLOSE UP SHOP
With 278 runs required from 29 overs, a run rate required of nine and a half runs, the match had petered out into a practice session for Atapattu and Sangakkara.

Atapattu on his way to scoring a century in each innings of a match was on 87 while Sangakkara had 40 out of a total of 154/1 when the players left the field for tea.

SRI LANKA STILL IN WITH A CHANCE
At drinks, Sri Lanka were 105/1 and still needing 327 off 45 overs. At seven runs per over needed they still had a slight chance of a win.

Arnold, not in an aggressive mood and content to give the strike to Atapattu, became a Robin Peterson victim when pushing forward he did not get over the ball and popped a catch to silly mid on for 19 out of a total of 64.

Atapattu went to his fifty, to go with his first innings hundred, in 52 balls including six boundaries. He was positively trying to stay in touch with the rate required for the victory.

It did not take Kumar Sangakkara long to get into his stride. Bringing the Sri Lanka hundred up by taking 10 runs off a Peterson over kept the hosts in the game.

SRI LANKA MAKE BOLD BID AT TARGET OF 432
Scoring at just over five runs to the over Sri Lanka have made a bold bid in chasing the 432 needed for the win.

Marvin Atapattu jumped out of the starting blocks striking five boundaries in scoring 37 runs off the 35 balls he received. Russell Arnold assisted with 10 off the 18 he faced as Sri Lanka went to lunch on 47 without loss after nine overs.

SOUTH AFRICA 'A' DECLARE AT 220/9, A LEAD OF 431 OVER SRI LANKA
South Africa has declared their second innings closed on 220/9, setting Sri Lanka a target of 432 from about 70 overs.

Elworthy’s cameo innings came to an end when he was comprehensively bowled by Dilhara Fernando for 45. Getting a ball that cut back he played around it and had the middle stump uprooted with South Africa 217/9.

At the declaration Tsolekile was not out on 27 and Quinton Friend on one.

Main wicket takers were Vaas with 3/44 and Dilhara Fernado with 3/23.

SOUTH AFRICA 'A' RACE TO A 425 LEAD OVER SRI LANKA
South Africa ‘A’ resumed their second innings on 138/5, a lead of 349, at the start of the last day of the four-day warm match for Sri Lanka in Kimberley.

With the South Africans throwing caution to the wind in order to set the visitors a target, wickets fell at regular intervals.

Robin Peterson tried to get out of the way of a Chaminda Vaas bouncer, only to get caught behind for eight. Justin Ontong was caught at mid off driving at Russell Arnold for 19 and Andrew Hall driving at Vaas was caught at mid on for four. All three wickets falling in the space of eight runs leaving the hosts on 145/8.

Steve Elworthy struck some lusty blows, taking 18 runs off a Vaas over that included a big six over backward square leg. Further sixes off the bowling of Chamila Lakshitha and Mahela Jayawardene took Elworthy to 45 at drinks.

Thami Tsolekile, after a slow start, decided it was time to join the party by lofting Arnold to long off for a one bounce four and followed it up by hoisting the same bowler over the long off fence. At drinks he had jumped to 24 and South Africa 214/8, a lead of 425.