Sri Lanka stage late comeback with bat to keep South Africa series alive 

With the fate of the two-Test series hanging in the balance, Sri Lanka closed the penultimate day’s play in the second Test against South Africa on firmer footing.

Chasing 348, the visitors had lost five wickets at the score of 122 before captain Dhanajaya de Silva combined alongside Kusal Mendis to amass 83 runs for the sixth wicket.

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The partnership helped Sri Lanka see through Day 4, laying the foundation for an exquisite Day 5 finish, with 143 runs separating the visitors from a win and levelling the series, and five wickets in hand.

Earlier, the Proteas had resumed their second innings at 191/3 - leading by 221 runs. Skipper Temba Bavuma continued his rich vein of form - compiling 61 runs off 116 deliveries. He was accompanied in the middle by Tristan Stubbs (47), whose neat cameo came to an end following a run-out.

It wasn’t long before Prabath Jayasuriya opened up a way back into the game for Sri Lanka, getting rid of Bavuma and then, David Bedingham (35). The 33-year-old went on to claim his ninth five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

Keshav Maharaj and Dane Paterson added late fireworks with the bat to help the hosts close their second innings at 317.

Coming in to bat in the second session, Sri Lanka were dealt with an early blow as Kagiso Rabada snapped Dimuth Karunaratne in the third over of the chase.

Keshav Maharaj and Dane Paterson struck twice each as the Proteas seized further control of the Test. But just as the day moved to a close, a sixth-wicket partnership from the visitors has evened the odds.

While South Africa are currently leading 1-0 in the series, and sit second in the ICC World Test Championship points table, Sri Lanka - placed fourth - are also in contention for the final scheduled to be played at Lord's next year.