Elgar hits 50 as S. Africa forge ahead

pulse 12:02 - 04 January 2017

South African bowler Kagiso Rabada (L) celebrates the dismissal of a Sri Lanka batsman during the second Test cricket match at Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town on January 4, 2017

South Africa were 136 for four in their second innings at lunch, an overall lead of 418.

Dean Elgar hit a half-century to add to his first innings hundred as South Africa stretched their lead beyond 400 on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Newlands on Wednesday.

South Africa were 136 for four in their second innings at lunch, an overall lead of 418. Elgar made 55 while Sri Lankan fast bowler Suranga Lakmal took three for 34.

With South Africa having opted not to enforce the follow-on despite leading by 282 runs on the first innings, Elgar and Stephen Cook put on 64 for the first wicket, adding 29 runs to their overnight 35 for no wicket.

Cook made 30 before he was caught at first slip off Suranga Lakmal. The Sri Lankan fast bowler made a double strike, dismissing Hashim Amla in the same over. Amla's recent run of poor form continued when he edged an out-swinger to be caught behind by Dinesh Chandimal for nought after facing five balls.

Elgar, who made 129 in the first innings, reached his fifty off 82 balls with seven fours but was out soon afterwards, caught at slip off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.