27 Jul 2014
Thanks for tuning in!
There's no doubt that South Africa would have welcomed the inclement weather on Day 4. And with more bad weather on the horizon tomorrow, it may just help South Africa save this Test match and win the series, which would see them return to the No 1-ranking in Test cricket.
Play will start a bit earlier (06:00 SA time) tomorrow morning. Join us again for more interactive commentary.
27 Jul 2014
PLAY CALLED OFF
With rain and dark clouds around, play has officially been called off for the day.
South Africa are 38/1 after 17 overs (run-rate 2.23 per over).
They require 331 more runs to win.
27 Jul 2014
South Africa 38/1 after 17 overs (run-rate 2.23 per over).
They require 331 more runs to win.
There's no doubt the Proteas will love the fact that play is halted. It's unlikely for the players to return today but we'll keep you posted.
27 Jul 2014
BAD LIGHT STOPS PLAY
The umpires have decided it's too dark and too dangerous to play.
27 Jul 2014
Close shave for De Kock who edges Mendis just past the out-stretching hands of a diving first slip. De Kock into the 20s now. He is looking positive...
27 Jul 2014
OVERS 15: SA 29/1
Run-rate: 1.93 per over.
They require 340 more runs to win.
27 Jul 2014
De Kock relieves some pressure with a boundary on the leg side off Perera. It came after a previous delivery turned viciously - all of 87cm!
27 Jul 2014
Reasons for De Kock coming in earlier:
It could be to save Du Plessis, Amla and De Villiers for the hard graft tomorrow.
And also the rough outside the
left-hander's off-stump is already quite prominent and will get worse - hence De Kock finds himself at the crease earlier.
27 Jul 2014
OVERS 10: SA 11/1
Run-rate: 1.1 per over.
27 Jul 2014
In an interesting move, Quinton de Kock comes in at No 3 for South Africa.
27 Jul 2014
Petersen is out for a duck and he faced all of 25 balls.
27 Jul 2014
WICKET! Petersen gets a leading edge and is caught at silly point by Vithanage off the bowling of Herath.
South Africa 4/1 after 8.1 overs.
27 Jul 2014
Mendis beats the outside edge of Elgar's bat. He appeals but it's not out...
27 Jul 2014
The first bowling change by Sri Lanka as Mendis comes on in the 6th over. Sri Lanka may just bowl spin the whole innings...
27 Jul 2014
OVERS 5: SA 4/0
Run-rate: 0.80 per over.
27 Jul 2014
Elgar is off the mark first ball as he cuts Perera past point for four. Next ball he survives an LBW appeal. I suspect there will be many of those in the next day or so...
27 Jul 2014
Herath starts with a maiden.
Off-spinner Perera is the other opener.
27 Jul 2014
Left-arm spinner Herath opens the bowling for Sri Lanka. It's quite dark out there, so Sri Lanka waste no time to start with a spinner, just in case the umpires take them off for bad light if seamer Lakmal bowls...
27 Jul 2014
Petersen and Elgar are South Africa's openers.
27 Jul 2014
This will be hard toil for South Africa, who will have to face in the region of 127 overs in order to survive. It will be weather permitting though as there is some rain in the vicinity....
27 Jul 2014
Sri Lanka have declared their second innings on 229/8, setting South Africa 369 runs to win.
27 Jul 2014
WICKET! Herath (4) skies a Morkel delivery and is caught by De Villiers.
Sri Lanka 229/8 after 53.4 overs.
27 Jul 2014
Mathews smacks Morkel on the leg side for a MAXIMUM. Maybe he wants a century - hence no declaration.
27 Jul 2014
Jayawardene can be seen in the change-room signalling for Mathews to declare, but the latter is inexplicably not buckling... Mathews is the captain though...
27 Jul 2014
Why the Sri Lankans are not declaring here is beyond me. A lead of 358 is more than enough.
27 Jul 2014
Rangana Herath is the new batsman in for Sri Lanka. Still no declaration...
27 Jul 2014
WICKET! Perera is bowled by Tahir for 7.
Sri Lanka 214/7 after 50.2 overs.
27 Jul 2014
OVERS 50: SL 213/6
Run-rate: 4.26 per over.
They lead by 352 runs.
27 Jul 2014
The Sri Lanka lead has now passed the 350 mark...
27 Jul 2014
Steyn to bowl the second over after tea.
27 Jul 2014
It's Mathews' 16th Test 50.
27 Jul 2014
HALF-CENTURY for Mathews, coming off 70 balls.
27 Jul 2014
Tahir to continue after the interval...
27 Jul 2014
Welcome back for the final session! Sri Lanka are still batting, with no declaration yet...
27 Jul 2014
TEA ON DAY 3: With the players off for bad light, an early tea break has also been taken.
Sri Lanka are 203/6 after 48 overs (run-rate: 4.22 per over)
They lead by 342 runs.
27 Jul 2014
BAD LIGHT STOPS PLAY!
Just as Perera comes in to bat, the umpires take the players off for bad light.
The covers are also coming on as a precaution. I wouldn't be surprised if Sri Lanka declare now...
27 Jul 2014
Dilruwan Perera is the new batsman in with Sri Lanka's lead worth 342...
27 Jul 2014
WICKET! Dickwella is caught by De Villiers at midwicket off the bowling of Steyn. He goes for 16 after unsuccessfully trying to pull a Steyn short ball.
Sri Lanka 203/6 after 48 overs.