“We aren’t giving up. Clearly they’re in entrance of us, but when we are able to get a few early wickets tomorrow, we are able to nonetheless push them again,” Mathews mentioned. “And if we are able to, , get by way of the brand new ball, if we are able to push them again into second and third spells and make them tire just a little bit, then we’ve an opportunity.”
As a substitute, the proof of the final three days is that it stays good for run-scoring which has given Sri Lanka hope that they’ll deal with a giant chase.
“It is enjoying fairly properly. It is simply the odd one, preserving low and taking off, however it’s enjoying fairly properly. There’s one thing all the time for the seamers and likewise a few balls additionally turned,” Mathews mentioned. “It is a good, even wicket and even contest with bat and ball on this wicket so it is a fantastic wicket to play on.”
What they might remorse is that that would have been a lot greater. At 242 for 3 in a single day, they have been eyeing a first-innings lead however Mathews conceded Sri Lanka have been “unable to capitalise,” due to a “couple of fine balls.”
“The ball is coming off six foot 9 or one thing. Clearly, he will get bounce on any wicket,” Mathews mentioned. “The Durban wickets additionally, he obtained a number of bounce. We could not actually deal with him within the first innings of the Durban Take a look at. And in addition right here he retains troubling our batters. We performed him fairly properly this time round, however nonetheless he retains troubling us. We have to give you some extra plans to attempt to fight his bounce. That is what’s worrying: the odd one takes off on a great size as properly due to his peak.”
Jansen apart, Sri Lanka must cope with Kagiso Rabada, who was South Africa’s greatest bowler on the second day however solely obtained one wicket, and Dane Paterson, excessive on confidence after his first five-for and working on a pitch suited to his type of play.
“He [Paterson] jogs my memory of Vernon Philander. It is actually arduous to attain off him, and he is simply touchdown it on the spot constantly. So, sure, there’s a number of arduous work to place in, however yeah, we’re keen to do this.”
Kusal Mendis, who’s on this staff too, scored an unbeaten 84 off 110 balls to seal a collection win. That may’t be executed this time, however Sri Lanka might sq. the competition 1-all and preserve themselves within the operating for the WTC closing.
