Twitter Reactions: Fernando and Embuldeniya keep Sri Lanka’s hopes alive

Going into the third day of the opening Test at the Kingsmead in Durban against Sri Lanka, South Africa already had a lead of 170 runs. But they had lost four wickets. The game was in the balance and both teams had equal chances of getting each other on the mat. By the end Day 3, the game has tilted a tad towards Faf du Plessis and Co as the visiting team needs 221 runs to win the match.

Du Plessis and De Kock march on

The skipper and Quinton de Kock were the overnight batsmen and they carried on with their good work with a partnership of 96 runs for the fifth wicket to stretch the Proteas’ lead to 235 runs. Lasith Embuldeniya broke the ominous-looking stand, getting rid of the dangerous De Kock, who notched 55 quickfire runs from 62 balls and his knock was carved with six scorching boundaries.

Vernon Philander turned out to be an appropriate foil for his captain, Du Plessis, who looked good for a century. Vernon was cleaned up by Embuldeniya. Left-armer Vishwa Fernando trapped Du Plessis in front and cut short his knock of 90 from 182 balls with 11 fours. The Islanders bowled the hosts out for 259, thereby setting a target of 304. Embuldeniya picked up a five-wicket haul.

South African pacers dominate

Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne put their heads down and started Lanka’s run-chase in a cautious manner. The partnership put on 42 for the opening wicket in 15.5 overs following which Kagiso Rabada removed Thirimanne to strike first blood. The left-handed batsman could manage only 21 runs with three fours. Debutant Oshada Fernando joined Karunaratne in the middle.

Unfortunately, the visitors lost Karunaratne in the very next over. This time around, Vernon Philander picked up his first wicket. The Lankans found themselves in dire straits as Kusal Mendis perished for an eight-ball duck. On the other hand, Fernando didn’t look flustered and remained not out on 28 from 39 balls with four boundaries. At the other end is the left-handed Kusal Perera.

Here is how Twitter reacted

Need 304 @OfficialSLC now think of a bit more resolve in that first innings and if you got yourself a small lead … where would SL be ?? #SAvSL bit more grit .. Cmon !

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) February 15, 2019

#SAvSL South Africa on course for Test win against Sri Lanka

— Girish Tripathi (@GirishT62000866) February 15, 2019

@OfficialSLC future looks bright with upcoming talents like Oshada Fernando, Lasith Embuldeniya, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando & Kamindu Mendis.

Selectors have to use them in proper way and time.#SAvSL

— Pavith Perera🇱🇰 (@Panther_628) February 15, 2019

Our batters are not scoring enough runs for them to be dropping catches😣. #SAvSL #ProteaFire

— Allout (@SimAllout) February 15, 2019

End of play!! @OfficialSLC takes the match into the 4th day!! @OfficialSLC best 2 batsmen in the match in the middle!! Let’s see how it goes!! #SAvSL

— Ieshaka Karunarathne (@IeshakaK) February 15, 2019

Match still on the balance at close of play on day 3. #Proteas will look for the 7 wickets they need to win tomorrow morning. #SAvSL

— Mac Hail (@Mac_Hail) February 15, 2019

Next generation showing good signs already. Time to move on from the current players who have had enough chances.#SAvSL

— Pavith Perera🇱🇰 (@Panther_628) February 15, 2019

Bemused by the bad light rules.#SAvSL Its clear skies and looks reasonably bright.
Flood lights on.
The last ball was driven by back foot for four. Clearly there's no danger.
Got to change the rules to save test cricket @ICC

— Ajay Srinivasan (@Ajaychairman) February 15, 2019

Because the pitch Durban pitch is the most difficult in SA apparently. Which makes the game more interesting? #SAvSL https://t.co/IUCsYShdAj

— #PeepTheWorks (@Ric3hard) February 15, 2019

I thought the Proteas would bat the whole day, kinda disappointed with their performance #SAvSL

— Mogake Nchabeleng (@mogake_lwandle) February 15, 2019

Is @KusalMendis1 becoming another @chandi_17 …!🙄🤔#SAvSL #lka

— yazeer Mukthar (@yazeer03) February 15, 2019

I've noticed that the Mighty Hash has since been demoted from first slip when spinners are bowling 🤣#SAvSL

— The Yellow Flash (@Max_Hosa_Lamani) February 15, 2019

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