Kyle Verreynne’s run-scoring century lifted South Africa to a formidable 358 in their opening innings of the second Test match against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha. With confidence and style, the wicketkeeper-batsman clocked 105* and helped his side to a respectable total before the bowlers made early inroads to bring Sri Lanka down to 46 for 1 by lunch.
Verreynne’s fireworks, combined with Sri Lanka’s tireless approach to the ball, provided the perfect start to a Test series.
As the match opened on 48 with South Africa’s score at a vulnerable 269/7, Verreynne was an excellent player with tremendous poise and attack drive to control proceedings. As bouncers flew from Sri Lanka’s pacers, he honed his position and execution, pummelling six fours and three sixes. The first session he proved to be one of South Africa’s most exciting young stars scoring 57 runs off 50 deliveries in the morning.
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His magnificent centuries featured stands that infuriated Sri Lanka’s seamers. This was most important along with Kagiso Rabada, who accounted for 66 crucial runs for the ninth wicket. Rabada complemented well with a rough 23 and Dane Paterson tallied nine. Both lower-order batsmen provided the stability that Verreynne required to flourish against Sri Lanka’s short-ball tactics.
His third Test century came spectacularly, taking two colossal sixes and lifting another bouncer over the ropes for his big knock. Verreynne’s celebrations mirrored the significance of his innings — a bow to the South African changing room and a bravura hug with tailender Paterson accentuated the significance of his game.
“I didn’t expect to make 100 this morning,” Verreynne said. “48 down and seven, my attention was firmly on extending the innings, but everything clicked from there.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers especially Lahiru Kumara (4-79) and Asitha Fernando (3-83) had the better of it throughout the innings. The unruly batsman Kumara picked up the most wickets, and he made some bounce in this Gqeberha wicket. His snub of Paterson finished the innings but his earlier snub of South Africa’s key men, including Rabada, gave Sri Lanka sometimes hope.
Fernando, meanwhile, was a man of speed and regularity, snagging decisive wins at critical points. But Sri Lanka was left wondering where did they screw up by keeping up the short-ball against Verreynne, but watching the plan backfire. Although it sometimes worked, the approach eventually became practice targets for Verreynne, who was scolded for anything falling short.
Vishwa Fernando also picked up a wicket to remove Keshav Maharaj but couldn’t get consistent enough to bother South Africa’s tail late in the innings. Decreased second new ball returns only further added to Sri Lanka’s woes.
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With an unsurmountable total at stake, Sri Lanka’s openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka tried to survive a start by the Proteas’ pace attack. Kagiso Rabada, energized after his handy batting interruption, pressed the openers with brisk deliveries that constantly tested the outside edge.
While South Africa’s new-ball dribble produced movement and muddle, Sri Lanka’s bowlers showed teeth, and the hosts went into lunch at 46 for 1. Rabada got the better of Karunaratne (20), who drilled a ball through a crowded slip line. Nissanka (12*) never surrendered in the face of 53 deliveries, setting a stage for Sri Lanka to chase South Africa’s giant total.
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Verreynne’s century was more than just his individual achievement: it was an expression of South Africa’s will to extend their 1-0 series lead. After pushing the total over 350 on a surface that looked dangerous for Sri Lanka’s bowlers, the Proteas have made themselves at the centre of the game. Both sides are fighting it out for their places in the ongoing World Test Championship, and each run and wicket is counted.
Sri Lanka will be mostly worried about quickly rebounding from a South African attack that has already proven to be effective. A consistent start from the rest of their first-team will be key if they are to put together a solid response, and likely keep the match alive.
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The Gqeberha surface thus far provides adequate support to the bowlers but is also a good place to hit for the batsmen who can go to battle. The path forward for Sri Lanka is simple — partnerships, toughness, and a way to shut down the Proteas’ quality pace attack. South Africa on the other hand, will want to make some early progress on Day 3 to secure their hold on the match.
Now that Verreynne’s heroics are in the past, all eyes are on how the captains handle the remaining half-hours of a game that should please fans from every angle.
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