Bavuma and Stubbs centuries leave Proteas on the verge of victory

South Africa will return to the field on the verge of near-certain victory on Saturday morning, with Sri Lanka needing to climb a mountain over the last two days of the opening Test in Durban.

Returning to the crease for their second innings on Friday, chasing a monstrous target of 516 runs to win in the final session of day three, Sri Lanka were left flailing.

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When stumps were drawn, the tourists had reached 103/5, with Dinesh Chandimal on 29 not out and captain Dhananjaya de Silva not yet off the mark. They still needed 413 to win.

All-rounder Marco Jansen, who took 7/17 in Sri Lanka’s first innings, again led the Proteas attack, taking 2/22. He was well supported by Kagiso Rabada (2/34) as the frontline pair retained control for the hosts, pinning back the touring team’s top order.

Double century partnership

Earlier, after resuming their second innings at 132/3 in the morning session, holding a 281-run lead, the Proteas strengthened their grip on the match with a double-century stand between captain Temba Bavuma and fellow batter Tristan Stubbs.

Bavuma and Stubbs shared 249 runs for the fourth wicket, carrying their team to 366/5 before they declared at the tea break.

The skipper, who had made a half-century in their first innings, hit 113 runs off 228 balls for his third Test century, while Stubbs contributed a career-best 122 off 221, racking up his second ton in his sixth Test match.

‘Personally satisfying’

“It always felt as if there was something happening within the wicket, which I guess helped in a way because it kind of forced you to stay within your plans, which allowed me to bat longer,” Bavuma said after the close of play.

“I think getting to a three-figure mark is always more satisfying personally… so I’m very satisfied and happy I was able to do that along with Tristan and overcome some of the mental challenges that one goes through when you are batting.

“So I’m quite happy. I would have liked to be ‘not out’ at the end of the day, but I’ll take that contribution.”