South Africa build lead over Sri Lanka

Captain Shaun Pollock and his deputy Mark Boucher shared a century stand to move South Africa into a strong position on day three of the second Test against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

At the close, the hosts were 421 for nine in their first innings, a lead of 98, with Pollock 78 not out and Makhaya Ntini three.

Pollock and Boucher kept pace with each other throughout, passing 50 off consecutive deliveries in the final session. Their partnership was worth 132 runs, a South African record for the seventh wicket against Sri Lanka, when Boucher popped a return catch to Chamila Gamage.

The South African vice captain made 63 in three hours, facing 138 balls and hitting six fours.

Muttiah Muralitharan then claimed two wickets, Andrew Hall lbw for a duck and Steve Elworthy caught at silly point for five. The wicket of Elworthy took him beyond Kapil Dev into third place on the all time list of Test wicket takers with 435.

Pollock hooked the penultimate delivery of the day bowled by Dilhara Fernando for six over fine leg after spending just over three and a half hours at the crease, facing 139 balls and hitting the six as well as ten fours.

CONSOLIDATION

Boucher and Pollock provided the consolidation that was required after South Africa lost two wickets shortly after lunch. Ashwell Prince made 20 before gloving a looping catch down the leg side to wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara as he failed to deal with a bouncer from Chaminda Vaas.

Neil McKenzie (28) was then lbw to Gamage.

South Africa had lost both Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis in the first hour of play. Gibbs, eight runs short of a century, set off for a suicidal single and was beaten by Muralitharan's throw as he slipped trying to turn and make his ground.

Shortly afterwards Kallis played inside the first ball from Hasantha Fernando and was bowled for 84.

The wickets prompted an attritional hour as McKenzie and Prince, both under pressure for their places in the South African middle order, took as few risks as possible. It included a 25 minute period without a run scored.

Match report: Day 1 | Day 2

Mail Cricket Editor