Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Sri Lanka are only 137 runs away from becoming the third team to win a Test series in South Africa after pace bowler Suranga Lakmal took a four-wicket haul on the second day in Port Elizabeth.

If Sri Lanka were to win the match, they would join England and Australia as the teams that have secured a Test series win over the Proteas in South Africa. In addition to this, Sri Lanka would become the first Asian team to accomplish the feat.

Starting off the day on 60/3, Sri Lanka only added four runs to their overnight score before Lahiru Thirimanne was caught and bowled by Duanne Olivier for 29.

Kasun Rajitha, who was sent in as the nightwatchman at the end of the first day, only made one run before he was clean bowled by Kagiso Rabada.

Kusal Perera made a quickfire 20 before he was caught behind off the bowling of Rabada.

Dhananjaya de Silva and Lakmal fell shortly after, but with Niroshan Dickwella smashing a 36-ball 42, Sri Lanka managed to make 154 before being bowled out, which gave South Africa a 68-run lead.

Rabada was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Olivier snapped up three, and Keshav Maharaj and debutant Wiaan Mulder chipped in with one wicket apiece.

With a 68-run lead in hand, South Africa lost opener Dean Elgar early on as he was caught behind off the bowling of Vishwa Fernando for two runs.

Aiden Markram, who opened the batting with Elgar, mustered 18 runs before he was caught by Oshada Fernando at short midwicket off the bowling of Rajitha.

Temba Bavuma failed to have an impact as he was caught behind off the bowling of Rajitha for six runs.

Hashim Amla managed to score 32 runs before he was caught by Kusal Mendis at first slip off the bowling of De Silva.

Quinton de Kock was then caught and bowled by Lakmal for one run, while Mulder was dismissed by De Silva for five runs.

Lakmal proceeded to also take out Maharaj and Rabada, while De Silva got his third wicket when he removed Dale Steyn for a duck.

South Africa ended up being skittled out for 128, which set Sri Lanka 197 to win, when Olivier was given out lbw off the bowling of Lakmal.

Proteas captain Faf du Plessis was left stranded on 50, which came off 70 balls and included seven boundaries.

Lakmal was the most successful bowler with four wickets, while De Silva took three, Rajitha got two and Vishwa Fernando claimed one.

Chasing 197 to win, Sri Lanka were dealt an early blow as Thirimanne was caught behind off the bowling of Rabada for 10 runs.

Captain Dimuth Karunaratne was the next to go as he was caught behind off the bowling of Olivier for 19.

Oshada Fernando and Mendis ensured Sri Lanka didn’t lose anymore wickets as they forged an unbeaten 26-run partnership before stumps was called.

Oshada Fernando finished on 17, which came off 21 balls and included four boundaries, while Mendis remained undefeated on 10, which came off 17 deliveries and included two boundaries.

Rabada and Olivier picked up one wicket apiece.

Sri Lanka ended day two on 60/2 and will continue batting on Saturday at 10:00 local time or 08:00 GMT.