Speed Post News Network
Patna : South Africa (SA) scored a mammoth 621 runs in 142.1 overs in their first innings in 1st test against Sri Lanka (SL) on Day 3 at SuperSport Park, Centurion, South Africa, on December 28, 2020, as Faf du Plessis scored 199 runs in 276 balls with 24 fours, Temba Bavuma scored 71 in 125 balls with 7 fours, and spinner Keshav Maharaj scored 73 in 106 balls hitting 6 fours and 2 sixes. At stumps on Day 3, Sri Lanka, who had scored 396 in their first innings, were 65/2 in 12 overs. SL trail by 160 runs.
Faf du Plessis and Temba Bavuma added 179 runs for the 5th wicket. Bavuma fell to medium fast bowler Dasun Shanaka for 71 making it 399/5. All-rounder Wiaan Mulder fell to spinner Wanindu Hasaranga for 36 in 63 balls with 4 fours and 1 six making it 476/6. Mulder and Du Plessis added 77 runs for the 6th wicket.
Du Plessis and Keshav Maharaj added 133 runs for the 7th wicket. Du Plessis fell to Hasaranga for 199 missing his double century by just 1 run and it was 609/7. Fast bowler Anrich Nortje fell to Vishwa Fernando for a duck and it was 610/8. Fast bowler Lutho Sipamla fell to Hasaranga for zero making it 611/9. Keshav Maharaj fell to medium fast bowler Vishwa Fernando for 73 and SA were all out for 621. SA took a 225 runs first innings lead.
For Sri Lanka, Hasaranga took 4/171 while Shanaka took 2/98. Medium fast bowler Vishwa Fernando took 3/129 while fast bowler Lahiru Kumara took 1/103.
SL lost first wicket in second innings with only 10 runs on board when opener Dimjuth Karunaratne fell to fast bowler Lungi Ngidi for 6. Kusal Mendis also fell to Lungi Ngidi for a duck and it was 22/2. At stumps on Day 3, opener Kusal Perera was unbeaten on 33 in 39 balls hitting 6 fours while Dindsh Chandimal was batting on 21 in 21 balls with 3 four.