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Brilliant Mahela
keeps SL in the hunt for 352 |
August 07, 2006
A brilliant unbeaten 77 from Mahela Jayawardene
has got back Sri Lanka in the hunt for chasing
352. At the close of play on the fourth day, Sri
Lanka are 262 for 5 with another 90 to get on
the final day's play for the 2-0 clean sweep.
Along with Mahela Jaywardene is Prasanna
Jayawardene, the wicket keeper who rallied along
with his Skipper to contribute 27 and in turn
putting up a valuable undefeated 61 runs for the
6th wicket. The homeside still has its two all
rounders - Chaminda Vaas and Farveez Maharoof to
bat and these two had done the rescue act in the
first innings scoring half centuries. South
Africa for sure are under tremendous pressure to
take the remaining five Lankan wickets. They
could have been in a superior position but for
Mahela's innings.
Resuming at an overnight score of 257 for 7,
Nicky Boje added 23 more runs for the 8th wicket
partnership with Boucher before edging
Muralitharan to the keeper. Murali then quickly
sent back Dale Steyn for a duck and it was 282
for 9, a lead of 322. Fireworks from Mark
Boucher had ensured that South Africa stretched
their total to 311, giving a target of 352.
Boucher (65) was also taken by Muralitharan who
ended with figures of 7 for 97 having bowled
46.5 overs. Makhaya Ntini then drew first blood
forcing Upul Tharanga to edge him to the slips.
After that Sangakkara played some sparkling
shots and in the company of Sanath Jayasuriya
took the score to 48 for 1 at Lunch.
After the lunch break, Shaun Pollock got his
first wicket of this Match by removing the
dangerous Kumar Sangakkara for 39, leaving Sri
Lanka at 94 for 2. By then Sanath Jayasuriya was
showing all signs of playing a match winning
innings as he took on the South African bowlers
to keep the scoreboard ticking at a fast rate.
He had the perfect partner in Mahela Jayawardene
to keep the bowlers at bay. However Jayasuriya
could not go on to make a hundred as he was done
in by the turn and bounce produced by Nicky Boje
to be caught at bat pad for 73 which had taken
him just 74 balls with nine fours and three
sixes! Dilshan, then steadied the innings with
his skipper to see Sri Lanka go to Tea at 166
for 3, requiring another 186 runs to win.
Nicky Boje was the bowler who got the crucial
break after Tea as he got Dilshan to step down
and the sharp turn got the outside edge which
was taken by Gibbs at slip. Dilshan's promising
innings came to an end at a personal score of
18. First innings hero, Chamara Kapugedera came
in and started to put up a patient partnership
and he helped Mahela Jayawardene do most of the
scoring. Boje once again put the brakes on Sri
Lanka's progress by getting Kapugedera driving
him straight to covers to reduce Sri Lanka to
201 for 5. South Africa couldn't get any more
wickets in the day's play as it had to see more
than 20 overs go by due to a fightback by the
two Jayawardenes - Mahela and Prasanna. The
wicket keeper batsman followed his breezy first
innings knock of 42 with a disciplined 27 after
facing 68 deliveries. Mahela Jayawardene
finished the day at a 153-ball 77 which was
laced with 7 fours and two sixes. For the
visitors, Nicky Boje who is bowling for the last
time on this tour was the star taking three for
76 in his 23 overs. Makhaya Ntini and Shaun
Pollock have taken a wicket each. South Africa
needs Dale Steyn to fire tomorrow as he was
disappointing today going for 64 runs in 12.4
overs.
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