Magical Mahela sees Lanka home

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene struck a match winning 123 to secure a one-wicket victory over South Africa in the second Test.

Sri Lanka started the day at 262-5 requiring a further 90 runs for the win. When lunch was called, 71 runs had been scored in the morning session for the loss of only one wicket, that being Prasanna Jayawardene out lbw to Andrew Hall for 30.

Only a further 19 runs were required with five wickets in hand which looked easy, but there was a twist just around the corner.

Nicky Boje enticed Jaywardene into playing a lofted cover drive and Herchelle Gibbs hung onto the catch with 11 runs still required. Andrew Hall then dismissed Chaminda Vass for four and Muttiah Muralitharan for two leaving Latish Malinga and Farveez Maharoof with a further two runs for victory with one wicket in hand.

Maharoof and Malinga held their nerve and managed to score the two runs required to clinch a 2-0 series victory.

Jayawardene was named man of the match for his superb second innings effort of 123 off 248 balls which included 11 fours and two sixes, while Muralitharan was named man of the series for his 22 wickets across the two Tests.

The teams now prepare for a one-day international tri-series starting on 14th August, which also involves India.

South Africa 361
AB de Villiers 95, Ashwell Prince 86, Shaun Pollock 57*
Muttiah Muralitharan 5-128, Lasith Malinga 3-81

Sri Lanka 321
Chaminda Vaas 64, Chamara Kapugedera 63, Farveez Maharoof 56
Dale Steyn 5-82, Makhaya Ntini 4-84

South Africa 311
Herschelle Gibbs 92, Mark Boucher 65
Muttiah Muralitharan 7-97

Sri Lanka 352-9
Mahela Jayawardene 123, Sanath Jayasuriya 73
Nicky Boje 4-111, Andrew Hall 3-75

Sri Lanka won by 1 wicket