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Domingo: Cracking finish in store

Galle - Proteas coach Russell Domingo believes the first Test against Sri Lanka is set for a "cracking" finish here on Sunday.

As it happened: SL v SA - Day 4

The Proteas need nine wickets for a significant win, while the hosts have a minimum of 90 overs to score the required 260 runs for victory.

"We would have liked to have had them maybe three down overnight," Domingo said at stumps on Saturday.

"We maybe didn't bowl as well as we could have. Tomorrow is a new day, it might be a good time for us to reflect about our plans and try to execute them a bit better than we did this last session.

"They (Sri Lanka) are very much in the contest, there is no doubt about it, but so are we," he added. "It is set up for a cracker of a day tomorrow. If we can start well tomorrow, pick up two early wickets, we will be right on top of them."

Domingo said the Proteas' sporting declaration at tea was spurred on by the need to keep both teams in with a sniff of victory.

"It's a wicket where, if you block, it's difficult to get sides out," he said. "I think if you keep them in the game it keeps you in the game. I looked at the last game that was played here where Pakistan batted against Sri Lanka; they needed 109 overs to bowl them out. We always felt that we would need about 110 overs in the last innings."

If the Proteas pull it off, this would be South Africa's first win at the Galle International Stadium, following one draw and one loss.

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