Cricket: Sri Lanka chase an unlikely victory

South Africa 418 and 264 Sri Lanka 306 and 120-3

South Africa 418 and 264 Sri Lanka 306 and 120-3

PAUL ADAMS struck a crucial blow to Sri Lanka's hopes of an unlikely win yesterday as South Africa tightened their grip on the first Test at Newlands.

Adams removed Aravinda de Silva for 37 eight overs before stumps. De Silva aimed over the top but mis-hit it to Jacques Kallis at mid-on. De Silva hit six boundaries off 61 balls to add to his first innings score of 77.

Opener Marvan Atapattu, with his second half-century of the match, and Arjuna Ranatunga batted out the day to finish on 120 for 3, leaving their side needing a further 257 runs to win in a minimum of 90 overs.

Sri Lanka were the last team to score more than 300 runs to win a Test when they scored 326 for 5 against Zimbabwe in Colombo in January.

Resuming on 155 for 4 South Africa managed just 64 runs in 30.5 overs in the pre-lunch session and added 45 more after before being bowled out. The Sri Lankan spinners, Muttiah Muralidharan and Sanath Jayasuriya, finished with four wickets apiece.