South Africa A v Sri Lanka A, 3rd Test, Benoni, 3rd day

Hosts in command despite Kandamby ton

Cricinfo staff

September 13, 2008

South Africa A 550 and 28 for 1 lead Sri Lanka A 395 (Kandamby 128, Paranavitana 73, Bandara 63, Louw 4-63, Tsotsobe 3-93) by 183 runs
Scorecard

South Africa A look on course for a series triumph in the three-Test contest against Sri Lanka A, after Sri Lanka folded up for 395 in their first innings in reply to the 550 scored by the hosts.

South Africa didn't enforce the follow-on - Sri Lanka were six short of avoiding it - and instead chose to bat again on the third day of the final game. They finished at 28 for 1 by stumps, and with just one day left, it's unlikely the visitors will be able to win and level the series.

Sri Lanka began the day at a shaky 133 for 3 but their overnight batsmen Tharanga Paranavitana and Kandamby took the score to 195. The two had added 98 for the fourth wicket when Paranavitana, on 73, was trapped leg-before by left-armer Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Sri Lanka's next two batsmen fell cheaply, but Kandamby got support from the two spinners in the team. Left-arm bowler Rangana Herath scored 30 in a stand of 57, and legspinner Malinga Bandara made a crucial 63 as Sri Lanka tried to avoid the follow-on.

Bandara put on 86 with Kandamby, who was dismissed by Ethy Mbhalati for a 224-ball 128, which included 17 fours. Bandara, though, fell with Sri Lanka in touching distance of avoiding the follow-on; however, it didn't matter as South Africa didn't enforce the same. Johann Louw finished the innings with figures of 4 for 63, while fellow opening bowler Tsotsobe took three wickets.

Chanaka Welegedara, who scored an unbeaten 14, picked up an early wicket in South Africa's second innings. Blake Snijman was the one out, but South Africa suffered no further damage as they reached 28 for 1 at stumps.

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