Player of the Match
Player of the Match

That brings us to the end of our coverage. We've had two riveting Tests, this one more tighter than Durban, and South Africa have given themselves a great chance to make the WTC final at Lord's. Thanks for you company once again. Cheers

Temba Bavuma is the Player of the series for three half-centuries and a century in four innings. "Good to be back, firstly," he says. "Enjoying the opportunity to be out with them. Lot of hunger and desire from my side, when the opportunities come and body allows, to put in performances for the team. Hopefully I was able grab them. Durban was tricky, first day conditions overhead. From my side, wanted to keep the intent of looking to score, not worry too much about technique and how it looks, also encourage the other players to do so. Felt fresh mentally and physically, was able to contribute. This Test for a lot of the guys was a proper Test. Rare that you get to play all five days, rare the game swings both sides, credit to Sri Lanka for the way they went about their business, asked the right questions, they made us work hard for the win. We'll take a lot of pride as a batting group. All of us are super happy for a guy like Ryan Rickleton, with the ball it was Marco and Paterson. Guys putting in performances like that speaks of the hunger. WTC table looks good, still have two games to go. Don't know what the math looks like, want to continue what we're doing, enjoy the victory, and in a couple of weeks time start speaking about Pakistan."

Dhananjaya de Silva: This game was tighter than the last one; boys fought hard but we weren't good enough. The conditions are obviously different to Sri Lanka; the bowling attack they had, they kept asking questions, even the spinners. I think they played better than us. We're getting better [playing in SENA countries], but need to get better in every department. We don't have plans yet [for the home Tests v Australia] but it'll spin [in Galle]."

Dane Paterson is the Player of the Match for his 5 for 71 in the first innings. He finishes with a match haul of seven wickets.

South Africa's WTC dream is alive and kicking. They're now on top of the table, having upstaged second-placed Australia. With two home Tests to follow against Pakistan, they'll fancy giving themselves a shot at glory come Lord's 2025.

The only form of resistance from Sri Lanka came in the middle order when Mathews, Dhananjaya and Kusal Mendis briefly gave South Africa the jitters in the final session. But Maharaj's late strike to clean bowl Mathews attempting a wild heave, after being lulled in flight, turned the tide. Sri Lanka went from hopeful to despondent.

It needed some resistance from Dhanajaya and Kusal to calm their nerves, but once they fell, the longish tail never really had a chance of whittling down the target against the relentlessness of Maharaj and Jansen. South Africa deserving winners in the end.

69.1
W
Jansen to Kumara, OUT, who wants that? Mine says Rickleton at short midwicket and he takes the catch. Kumara has a wild slog at this short ball well-executed at head-height outside off, he ends up getting a big, fat top-edge that swirls around a fair bit, but Rickleton has it well covered as he runs back a few steps and takes it with his palms facing upwards. Fist pumps and celebration in the South African camp as they take the series 2-0

CBRLS Kumara c Rickelton b Jansen 1 (16m 11b 0x4 0x6) SR: 9.09

END OF OVER:
69 | 1 Run 1 Wkt | SL: 238/9

  • Asitha Fernando0 (1b)
  • Lahiru Kumara1 (10b)
  • Keshav Maharaj25-3-76-5
  • Kagiso Rabada21-3-63-2
68.6
0
Maharaj to AM Fernando, no run, tossed up outside off, he lunges forward and defends with soft hands.
68.5
W
Maharaj to MVT Fernando, OUT, can't resist temptation to give it some hokey-pokey! Winds up to slog across the line, doesn't get to the pitch of the ball and ends up hitting it straight up as Jansen takes a good catch at mid-on! A five-wicket haul for Keshav Maharaj, his 11th in Tests

MVT Fernando c Jansen b Maharaj 5 (25m 24b 0x4 0x6) SR: 20.83

68.4
1
Maharaj to Kumara, 1 run, steps out to heave, gets a thickish inside edge that beats short midwicket. So close to being caught

Goes over the wicket

68.3
0
Maharaj to Kumara, no run, lobs off the thigh pad to short leg as Maharaj bowls length again
68.2
0
Maharaj to Kumara, no run, flatter one on middle from around the wicket, defended back
68.1
0
Maharaj to Kumara, no run, drifts one full and across, Kumara lunges forward and defends

Hello all. Can Sri Lanka get the target first into double digits?

END OF OVER:
68 | 2 Runs | SL: 237/8

  • Vishwa Fernando5 (23b)
  • Lahiru Kumara0 (6b)
  • Kagiso Rabada21-3-63-2
  • Keshav Maharaj24-3-75-4

Time for Shashank to step in for a stint.

67.6
0
Rabada to MVT Fernando, no run, Length ball down leg, lets that go. That will be drinks
67.5
0
Rabada to MVT Fernando, no run, On a length outside off, he pushes towards cover
67.4
2
Rabada to MVT Fernando, 2 runs, Snorter that goes just over the slips. A brute of a bouncer around the midriff aiming right at his body. He gets it off the shoulder of the bat with the ball going over the cordon
67.3
0
Rabada to MVT Fernando, no run, On a length on off, he pushes to cover
67.2
0
Rabada to MVT Fernando, no run, Beaten. On a length outside off, Fernando hangs out his bat and misses
67.1
0
Rabada to MVT Fernando, no run, Just falls short of second slip. On the good length outside off, he gets a thick outside edge but he played with soft hands. Makram collects it on the volley

Roshan: "So much anticipation and hope crushed in a matter of minutes "

END OF OVER:
67 | (maiden) | SL: 235/8

  • Lahiru Kumara0 (6b)
  • Vishwa Fernando3 (17b)
  • Keshav Maharaj24-3-75-4
  • Kagiso Rabada20-3-61-2
66.6
0
Maharaj to Kumara, no run, Tossed up outside off, he pushes towards the off side
66.5
0
Maharaj to Kumara, no run, Length ball angling across the batter, who pushes to point

Around the wicket

66.4
0
Maharaj to Kumara, no run, Fuller on middle, he blocks
66.3
0
Maharaj to Kumara, no run, Length outside off, he defends to the off side
66.2
0
Maharaj to Kumara, no run, Tossed up on middle, he defends back to the bowler
66.1
0
Maharaj to Kumara, no run, Length ball turning down leg, the keeper collects well

Slip and leg slip in place. Maharaj is over the wicket

END OF OVER:
66 | 2 Runs | SL: 235/8

  • Vishwa Fernando3 (17b)
  • Lahiru Kumara0 (0b)
  • Kagiso Rabada20-3-61-2
  • Keshav Maharaj23-2-75-4
65.6
2
Rabada to MVT Fernando, 2 runs, Oh, that's a nice shot. On a length on off, he clears his left leg and hoicks him over mid-on. Doesn't get it off the middle of the bat and will get two
65.5
0
Rabada to MVT Fernando, no run, On the fuller side on off, he defends back to the bowler

Sri Lanka 4th innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st10FDM KarunaratneP Nissanka
2nd37LD ChandimalP Nissanka
3rd17AD MathewsLD Chandimal
4th53AD MathewsPHKD Mendis
5th5DM de SilvaPHKD Mendis
6th97DM de SilvaBKG Mendis
7th6NGRP JayasuriyaDM de Silva
8th8NGRP JayasuriyaMVT Fernando
9th5MVT FernandoCBRLS Kumara
10th0CBRLS KumaraAM Fernando