RSA VS SL - 2nd Test, Sri Lanka tour of South Africa, 2016-17

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That's the strength of this South African side. Tristan Holme - our man in South Africa - informs that du Plessis has confirmed that Abbott has played his last Test for South Africa. But there is hardly anyone in South Africa who is losing sleep over it. There's a plethora of quicks waiting to grab that spot. There's Morkel, Steyn, Morris.. to name a few. Such a strong bench. Any team's potential should be judged by the bench it possesses and South Africa are a top side in that regard. But can that be said about Sri Lanka? Not in these conditions for sure. Although Kumara impressed and so did Lakmal in the second innings but they were always playing the catch-up game. Less we talk about their batting, the better. Always looked like a bunch of deers caught in headlights. Nonetheless, they only have pride to play for in the last game. That in itself should be a factor for them to push for it! However, I am not sure that South Africa will allow them any breathing space when the third Test starts on 12th. We will see you then. This is Abhishek Chaudhary signing off on behalf of Kumar Abhisekh Das. Take care.

Rabada (Man of the Match): "I guess it is all the hard work that is paying off. And all the hours invested in gameplans and tactics. It is a good sign. I thought I was fighting for rhythm in the first innings then it clicked. I was a bit fortunate there, just tried to run off my fortune. Coming into today, I felt some decent rhythm that just got better. That is what you want to do. Get the top batters out, tells a lot about you as a bowler as well. We have got quite a few bowlers in the team who could have done the same thing. Today was just my day and I am happy that I could contribute. I am not sure, I will have to phone and ask them (St Stithians boys college putting up a tree everytime he gets Man of the Match?)."

du Plessis: "That's pretty much as close as a perfect a game you can play. Before this Test match we wanted to dominate Sri Lanka and and we have done that every day. We stepped up and dominated Sri Lanka. Obviously conditions play a role. When we go to Sri Lanka, it is tough. We have to face challenges. We lost the toss on a very, very green wicket. We applied ourselves, an opening batsman getting a hundred on a green top, putting a total that was very good. There was not much happening when we bowled but the bowlers applied themselves. When the wickets came, they came quickly. You need to make sure that you keep the game quiet. We have done that pretty well. We always had our eye on the run-rate. Never allowed that and only once they went to 3.1 (run-rate). Philander and Abbott were relentless and then KG ripped it apart today. It is important that we are putting performances like this and I would like to make 3-0 when we go to Wanderers now. That is not something we have discussed yet (about resting someone for the final Test). I would say no right now to get our best team out there to get a 3-0 series win. Thank you to the crowd for coming through."

Mathews: "Disappointing. Especially after winning the toss we had advantage in the first session and in the second session as well but Dean Elgar batted well, left quite a few balls when the wicket was difficult to bat there. It was quite a tough surface to bat on. Once again our batters have let us down. We have not got enough runs on the board to give our bowlers a chance. When you are facing a tough bowling line-up like this you need long hours of concentration, which we have not done. Very rarely you get a loose ball and try to score off a good ball and you get nicked. That's the kind of difficulty we have been having in the first two Tests. Hopefully our batters will turn up and play for pride in the third Test. Absolutely! Coming up against the likes of Hashims and Fafs and taking 6-fer in the first innings was fantastic (talking about Kumara). Lakmal bowled fantastic in the second innings. Credit should go to Rabada, he was brilliant in the second innings. As I said we need long hours of concentration. The bowlers have bowled well but the batsmen have not given them a chance."

Presentation time

Match summary: The only thing that went in favor for the Lankans at Cape Town was the toss. It might have been the Newland(s) but the old wounds were scathed open in a ruthless manner. They won the toss, elected to field first and allowed South Africa to go off the hook. Hundreds in contrasting fashion from Elgar (solid and patient) and QDK (uninhibited and feral) took the African tally to 392 in the first essay. SL started off on a steady and then a horrendous miscued slog-sweep from Mendis off Maharaj opened the Pandora''s box. From 56/1 to be pinned down for 110. The South Africans with a lead of 282 sauntered to 224/7 in their second endeavour. The islanders had a daunting 507 to track down in more than 2 and a half days. Ended day 3 at the score of 130/4 and again like the first innings the spoils were shared by Rabada and Philander. The wounds inflicted over three days were rubbed with bouts of salt on day 4. The Shylock to this drama was Rabada. He took his pound of flesh in the form a 10-wicket haul to free Lanka of their miseries. The margin of win was a mammoth 282. RSA with this hammering have won the series with a game to go. The presentation party coming up...

Rabada gets the ball and signs it, keeps it in his pocket. Handshakes with the Lankan unit now. Round of applause for Rabada as he leads the side off the park. Also this might be the end of Abbott in South African jerseys as he is expected to join the county circuit in England as a Kolpak player. His contract with CSA expires in April and speculations are rife that he might not renew it. One saw the South Africans hug, pat and say encouraging words to him at the end of the game. Even Tucker had a chat with him. A pity if he doesn't turn up for the hosts again, for he is a mighty fine bowler.

Philander to Pradeep, out Bowled!! That's the end. Pradeep swings and misses. The ball crashes the off-stump to hand South Africa a mammoth win by 282 runs. Just a customary check for the no-ball but Philander is fine there. Hugs all around. Everyone is seen congratulating Rabada for a stupendous show. Now they form a huddle as du Plessis has a word of praise for the entire team. Philander is seen waving to someone in the crowd or perhaps the dressing room. Pradeep b Philander 5(12) [4s-1]

Philander to Pradeep, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Philander to Pradeep, no run, short of a good length ball. Pradeep stays behind and keeps it out towards mid-wicket

Philander to Herath, 1 run, short again. Herath is ready for that. Times the pull on the bounce to the man at deep mid-wicket for a single

Philander to Herath, no run, round the wicket for Herath, who drives on the up to mid-off

Philander to Pradeep, 1 run, veering in on the stumps from a length. Pradeep pokes at it and gets an inside edge that rolls behind square on the on-side for a single

Three slips and a gully in place

Philander to Herath, 1 run, shortish ball. Herath stays leg-side and pulls off the upper part of the blade to mid-on for a single

Maharaj to Pradeep, no run, and again it is too full. Pradeep blocks easily

Maharaj to Pradeep, no run, two slips, two silly points and a gully in place. Too full. Pradeep defends off the front foot

Maharaj to Pradeep, no run, off the edge and rolls down to the slip cordon