Sports

Sports

Rain, rain go away!
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Sri Lanka's chances of pulling off a historic series clinching victory against South Africa was thwarted by unexpected showers last morning and late afternoon leaving only eight overs of play in the second test on the fourth days play at SSC grounds yesterday.

Heavy showers early in the morning washed off play in the first two sessions. When play finally began at 4.00 in the afternoon Sri Lanka declared at their overnight 211 for four wickets leaving South Africa 493 to win in over four sessions of play. However after only eight overs and 45 minutes of play the heavens opened again, much to the relief of the South Africans who by that time were tottering at 21 for the loss of two wickets.

Sri Lanka opening bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga gave a torrid time to the South African openers Graeme Smith and Herchelle Gibbs with some good, short pitched bowling that had both batsman on the back-foot. Malinga in particular was in his stride right from the first ball.

In his very first over Malinga saw the back of Gibbs who fended at a short pitched ball on the leg side, only to see it hit the shoulder of the bat and fly straight to Thilan Samaraweera at leg slip.

Martin Van Jaarsveld who replaced by Gibbs was given the same treatment by Malinga who was bowling at a speed of around 140 kmph. He hit the helmet of Jaarsveld in his third over forcing the batsmen to replace his headgear.

After softening up well through some accurate and short pitched stuff Chaminda Vaas bowled a leg stump yorker that hit the batsman on the pad before trickling to the off stump and dislodging the bail.

With the South Africans reeling at 18 for two wickets dark clouds surrounded the SSC grounds forcing the Lankan skipper Marvan Atapattu to bring his spinners on to prevent the umpires offering the batsman bad light. However after Sanath Jayasuriya bowled one over the rains poured again forcing the players off the field.

South Africans only salvation today will be the weather. The Lankans who are on a high after the drawn first test and a spectacular show in the second test todate, will need a full days play today if they are to pick up the remaining eight South African wickets and romp home to victory. However with the sudden change in the weather in Colombo, Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu will be looking up to the weather gods today as much as his bowlers to bring in that historic victory.

Top