Rain dampens Lankan spirits

COLOMBO, AUGUST 9: Rain washed out the final session's play of the fourth day leaving little chance of either Sri Lanka or South Africa fo...

COLOMBO, AUGUST 9: Rain washed out the final session8217;s play of the fourth day leaving little chance of either Sri Lanka or South Africa forcing a winning result in the third and final cricket Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground here on Wednesday.

South Africa who resumed the day at 27 for no loss had made 157 for five wickets at tea 8212; an overall lead of 178, but heavy rain which lashed the ground during the interval left virtually no chance of the game continuing for the day.

South Africa made 279 in their first innings and Sri Lanka replied with 258.

With only one day left, the Test seems headed for a draw and the series tied one-all. Sri Lanka won the first Test at Galle by an innings and 15 runs, and South Africa won the second at Kandy by seven runs.

South Africa were pushed on the back foot in the first session when they lost three wickets for nine runs and from there onwards adopted a more cautious approach.

Neil McKenzie was run out for 17 by a quick pick up and throw by Sanath Jayasuriya at backward square leg ending an opening stand of 50 with Gary Kirsten.

At the same total Jacques Kallis was bowled off the inside edge of his bat by Aravinda de Silva without scoring.

Story continues below this ad

When Darryl Cullinan fell to a bat-pad catch taken by a sprawling Russel Arnold at silly mid-off off Muttiah Muralitharan, South Africa were 59 for three wickets.

From there onwards South Africa were quite happy to plod on for runs adding only 73 runs off 35 overs in an extended afternoon session which saw them lose two wickets.

Kirsten8217;s lengthy innings of 40 in 198 minutes was ended by Muralitharan who trapped him lbw with the total at 107.

Jonty Rhodes and Lance Klusener put on 45 in 95 minutes taking no risks against the spinners who found appreciable turn.

Story continues below this ad

Rhodes completed his half-century in 150 minutes with five fours, and off the next over was missed by wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara when he got an edge to a delivery from Sanath Jayasuriya.

However at 54, Rhodes pushed forward to Muralitharan and the resulting pad-bat catch was held by Mahela Jayawardene at silly mid-off.

Klusener who made an unbeaten 95 in the first innings was 27 not out with Mark Boucher on two.

Muralitharan had figures of three 41 off 29 overs.

Scoreboard

South Africa 1st innings: 279

Sri Lanka 1st innings: 258

South Africa 2nd innings; overnight 27-0: G Kirsten lbw b Muralitharan 40, N McKenzie run out 17, J Kallis b de Silva 0, D Cullinan c Arnold b Muralitharan 3, J Rhodes c Jayawardene b Muralitharan 54, L Klusener batting 27, M Boucher batting 2; Extras: lb2, nb12 14. Total: for 5 wickets, 77 overs, 310 mins 157

Fall of wickets: 1-50, 2-50, 3-59, 4-107, 5-152

Story continues below this ad

Bowling: Vaas 10-2-22-0, Perera 2-0-13-0, Arnold 2-0-2-0, de Silva 18-5-40-1, Muralitharan 29-11-41-3, Jayasuriya 13-2-24-0, Chandana 3-0-13-0.