Live Cricket Score - South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Day 3

Stumps - SL trail by 160

What a day for South Africa!! After two days of hard-fought cricket where both sides kept fighting back, the hosts have taken full control today with a dominating display first with the bat which has been backed by Ngidi who has removed two batsmen. Chandimal and Perera have a lot of work to do and the former was even seen visibly in pain after the final ball of the day. Sri Lanka will hope that it isn't too serious.

SA lose review

Kusal Perera is caught down the leg side, according to South Africa but the umpire disagrees. De Kock wants to review though and replays confirm no edge. Sri Lanka have been scoring at a god clip with Perera leading the way. Remember his exploits in 2019? He needs to pull off something similar.

Ngidi strikes again

Just like we feared, this Test match has completely become one-sided now. Sri Lanka are physically tired. Sri Lanka are mentally battered. And it shows as Kusal Mendis edges one to the slip cordon.

Unlucky!!

Karunaratne departs early for Sri Lanka. The pitch is going to start playing tricks from here on with uneven bounce and the skipper falls victim to that. The ball is bowled straight at the off stump and it goes under the bat because of the low bounce to shatter the stumps. Sri Lanka are in trouble already.

621 all out

Maharaj was left stranded and he had to go for the big shots. He helped himself to his highest Test score but his approach eventually leads to his downfall. South Africa are bowled out for 621. They have fetched a lead of 225. A battered Sri Lanka will have to face some sweet chin music after 10 minutes.

Two in two

Nortje has been waiting for his opportunity for a long time and then gets dismissed for a duck. Fernando is happy picking up his 2nd wicket. South Africa lose number 8.

Faf OUT for 199!!

Look at the disappointment on those faces in the South African dressing room. Don't think even Faf got disappointed to that extent but the entire dressing room looked in total disbelief as Faf looks to take on the mid on fielder while batting on 199 but he fails in his attempt.

SA 600, lead 200

When was the last time South Africa put on a dominating display with the bat such as this one? Maharaj rocks back to pull a delivery to the boundary as they reach the 600-run mark and the lead goes past 200 as well. There's a fellow out there who is also inching towards 200. The declaration is probably just around the corner.

50 for 'The Maharaj'

Third fifty in his last nine innings. Is he really a number 8 batsman? He hasn't batted like one today. The bowling attack has certainly helped his cause but you still got to put them away.

Another century stand

All it took them was 137 deliveries to bring up another century stand. Maharaj has been extremely busy at the crease and Faf has been milking this hapless Lankan attack. In the process, they add 100 and are eyeing a lot more.

Tea break

South Africa head into the break with a lead of 169. Du Plessis is on the cusp of getting a 200 for the first time in Test cricket. Maharaj will fancy his chances of helping himself to a half-century. The declaration is most likely to happen now in the final session. South Africa should seize this opportunity to pluck a few wickets once Faf reaches his milestone after the break.

50-run stand

Even Maharaj is cashing in now. The part time of Kusal Mendis has seen 34 runs being scored in just six overs and Karunaratne is also conceding runs at six an over. Faf will definitely fancy a 200 here after Tea.

Runs keep flowing

The lead goes past 100 as du Plessis reaches 150 for the first time in Test cricket. That strike rate just keeps rising as it is hovering around mid 70s now. South Africa have also gone past 500 now. It's all happening at Centurion as a depleted Sri Lanka bowl hoping for a miracle.

Another injury

Hasaranga is now leaving the field in a stretcher. He seems to have hurt his knee and this is getting ridiculous now. One has to wonder if Sri Lanka are undercooked in terms of fitness at this level.

Wanindu strikes

He drops Mulder off his own bowling but the drop doesn't hurt Sri Lanka as the batsman edges one to the keeper off the very next ball. Sri Lanka badly needed that wicket. The lead is 80 now and if they can somehow get rid of Faf quickly, Sri Lanka will be hopeful of keeping that lead below 130.

Weird