New Delhi: Lahiru Kumara bowled a beautiful delivery to clean up Aiden Markram on the first day of the second Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Gqeberha on Thursday. South Africa, who opted to bat first after winning the toss, did not have the best of the starts in the first innings as they lost as many as three wickets in the first session. When lunch was called on Day 1 at the St George’s Park, the hosts were 82/3 with three main batters back into the dugout.
While Tony de Zorzi (0) was the first batter to depart in just the second over, Markram who looked in fine touch initially fell victim to Kumara’s beautiful delivery after scoring 20 runs. After losing the initial wicket early on, South Africa tried their best to rebuild the innings with Markram and Ryan Rickelton staying strong for good 11 overs but then a ripper from the Sri Lanka pacer dismissed one of the most important batters in the Proteas line up.
Kumara deceives Markram with a beauty
The second ball of the 12th over was a fast full length delivery bowled by Kumara and Markram attempted to play a straight drive but missed the short. The Proteas batter was completely deceived by the beauty bowled by the Lankan pacer which saw the South African batters middle stump uprooted. The second wicket came as a big blow for the hosts.
Watch the delivery
LAHIRU KUMARA WITH A BEAUTY TO DISMISS AIDEN MARKRAM. 🤯pic.twitter.com/2CkuYP9eYp
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 5, 2024
Kumara did not stop there as he again came haunting to dismiss Proteas batter Tristan Stubbs for just 4 runs. By virtue of these two wickets in the first session of the match, Kumara completed 100 Test wickets, becoming the fifth Sri Lanka pace bowler and ninth overall Sri Lankan to reach the elusive milestone. Meanwhile, in the remaining two sessions of the day, South Africa would try their level best to rebuild and put up a good show in front of the visitors.
Sri Lanka pacer Lahiru Kumara bowled a beauty to dismiss Aiden Markram on the opening day of the second Test match against South Africa on Thursday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
