Woodster
International Captain
Just finished watching the day's play, and no surprise that SA have assumed total control of this Test. There were one or two occasions where you felt if SL can somehow nip a couple more out they may just get themselves back into this Test, but they just ran out of steam and allowed too many chances to escape their grasp.
Fernando bowled well early in the day, bowled with decent pace throughout much of the day and was probably the biggest threat for SA. Welegedara was pretty economical, unlike Perera who offered up too much width. Herath got the odd one to turn but this result was never going to be dependant upon his performance with the green-nature of the pitch.
Mathews while wide on day one, was causing problems yet his day unfortunately curtailed with the groin problem, how that will affect his batting could be crucial if SL are to make SA bat again.
For SA, it was a number of partnerships (that failed to kick on) that gave them this healthy lead, it was the de Villiers and Prince partnership that was integral in taking the game away from SL at this point. It may not have been pretty but it was an effective 97 run combination. de Villiers looked like he was batting on a different pitch at times, and did not neglect the quick singles in helping him build his innings and keep the board ticking. It was a good time for Boucher to find some nick too, admirably supported by the exciting strokeplay of Imran Tahir!!
SL have to wrap it up very early tomorrow, then Dilshan has to lead from the front and make serious inroads into this deficit. A big day for SL's big guns tomorrow, the skipper, Sanga, Mahela, Samaraweera all have to feature prominently tomorrow even to take this game into day four.
Fernando bowled well early in the day, bowled with decent pace throughout much of the day and was probably the biggest threat for SA. Welegedara was pretty economical, unlike Perera who offered up too much width. Herath got the odd one to turn but this result was never going to be dependant upon his performance with the green-nature of the pitch.
Mathews while wide on day one, was causing problems yet his day unfortunately curtailed with the groin problem, how that will affect his batting could be crucial if SL are to make SA bat again.
For SA, it was a number of partnerships (that failed to kick on) that gave them this healthy lead, it was the de Villiers and Prince partnership that was integral in taking the game away from SL at this point. It may not have been pretty but it was an effective 97 run combination. de Villiers looked like he was batting on a different pitch at times, and did not neglect the quick singles in helping him build his innings and keep the board ticking. It was a good time for Boucher to find some nick too, admirably supported by the exciting strokeplay of Imran Tahir!!
SL have to wrap it up very early tomorrow, then Dilshan has to lead from the front and make serious inroads into this deficit. A big day for SL's big guns tomorrow, the skipper, Sanga, Mahela, Samaraweera all have to feature prominently tomorrow even to take this game into day four.
