On Sunday, South Africa resumed their second innings on 191/3 and managed to add a further 126 runs to their score before being bowled out.

The Proteas’ captain Temba Bavuma’s purple patch with the bat continued with a fine knock of 66, while the opening batter, Aiden Markram, scored 55.

Tristan Stubbs was run out for 47, while David Bedingham contributed 35, and the first-innings centurion, Ryan Rickelton, scored 24.

Dane Paterson. Photo: Cricinfo

Prabath Jayasuriya was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with 5/129, while Vishwa Fernando took 2/47.

Sri Lanka was set a target of 348 runs in their second innings for the win and, at stumps, were on 205/5.

The visitors were staring down the barrel of another big defeat and in heaps of trouble at 122/5; however, a solid partnership late in the day by captain Dhananjaya de Silva and wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis saw Sri Lanka dig in their heels. This has allowed them to claim a win, but it will require patient batting on the final day, while, by contrast, South Africa will target early wickets.

Kamindu Mendis. Photo: Cricinfo

When stumps were called on day four, De Silva and Mendis were both on 39*.

Dane Paterson had taken 2/33 in 12 overs to add to his five-for in the first innings, while Keshav Maharaj was on 2/62.

Play at St George’s Park resumes at 10:30 on Monday, and Sri Lanka still needs 143 runs to level the series.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg