South Africa struggle in Boxing Day Test

28/12/2011

The South African cricket team has been struggling in the second Test of the series against Sri Lanka in Durban, something that may hearten English fans planning to enjoy hospitality packages when the two meet at Lord's in next summer's Test series.

Having been thrashed by an innings in the first Test, the tourists made good use of winning the toss at Kingsmead to post a first innings score of 338, with Thilan Samaraweera making 102.

In reply, the hosts were rolled over for just 168, with left-arm seamer Chanaka Welegedera taking 5-52, giving the islanders a first innings lead of 170 and a strong chance of victory.

This has been enhanced further today (December 28th) as a century by Kumar Sangakkara pushed the lead to nearly 400 by tea on day three.

Following a first inning score of just 96 in the recent Cape Town Test against Australia, question marks may be asked of the durability of the South African batting line-up, with the prolific but ageing Jacques Kallis falling for a duck.

It was the second time in the current South African season that the master batsman has been out without scoring, while he has only passed 50 once.

However, it was only a year ago that Kallis made his highest Test score of 201 not out against India.

By Sam Smith