South Africa left with plenty to ponder after day of plunder

The South African flag was flown upside down today. High up on Galle Forts turret in fluttered, it's unusual position somewhat symbolic of its countrymen's cricket. At the end of day two on this test match, South Africa are grimly fighting for survival on a surface that is slowly disintegrating into dust. They are currently 81.for 2, chasing Sri Lanka's mammoth first innings score of 522.

The day belonged to Mahela Jayawardene (167) who graced this scenic ground with an innings of exquisite class. His talent has never been doubted but his habit of being dismissed in the twenties and thirties was causing mounting frustration. A weakness that he was well aware off he has worked hard to eliminate.

Starting the day on 78 not out he started cautiously, like he had done the day before, determined to make his mark. Finally in the seventh over of the day, and after 19 deliveries from Shaun Pollock and Jacques Kallis, he finally cut the ball into the offside for three runs. He didn't look back.

Displaying the full range of shots in his repertoire he scored freely all-round the wicket, his precise placement a feature of the innings. It was his third test century, all of which have been big hundreds, and his first since his double century against Pakistan in last years Asia Cup.

Speaking afterwards he said: "I am really pleased after getting out far too often having got into the 20's and 30's during the last year. I made two 70's against Pakistan and really wanted a big one in this series. In the morning I just wanted to see off the new ball and wait for the spinners, who we play pretty well."

Questioned as to the coincidence that his three hundreds have all been big ones he replied: "It's been a focus of mine to make sure that having scored a century I go on and really make it count."

He could easily have panicked after the loss of Kumar Dharamasena (4), caught at third slip off Shaun Pollock, and Upul Chandana, clasped at first slip by Darryl Cullinan, off the wayward Jacques Kallis. However instead of risking his wicket whilst trying to accumulate quick runs he had faith in Chaminda Vaas and batted in his normal manner.

"Chaminda has been batting really well in recent times and I think he has an excellent technique. When he came to the crease he just said that he would stay with me at that I could play my normal game."

The pair put on 117 for the eighth wicket taking the score from 365 for 7 to 482 for 8. It was a partnership that must have exhausted the South African fielders. Forced to stand beneath the scorching tropical sun for 583 minutes they came into today hoping to wrap up the innings for less than 450. The final score 522 would have nothing sure of humiliating. Indeed it represents only the second time that South Africa have conceded over five hundred runs since returning from the isolation period. The last being the 629 scored by Australia in 1996/7.

It's been a tough couple of days for Shaun Pollock and he clearly needs to shoulder responsibility for his team in the field. Captaincy of one-day matches is a breeze compared to the test matches and some his decisions smacked of tactical naivety.

He was far too offensive throughout most of the innings and only after lunch on the second day did he visibly decide to restrict runs rather than take wickets. To leave third man vacant for so long, to a batsmen like Jayasuriya, who scores 60% of his runs square of the wicket, quite astonishing.

Why was it that Nico Boje, a man who a few days ago had been billed as South Africa's premier spinner, just bowled 22 overs when Paul Adams, still not fully recovered from injury and who bowled a garbage ball every over, bowled 45? Paul Adam's figures the second only to Cyril Vincent in 1935 as the most expensive in the history of South African cricket.

Having spent the best part of two days in the field, it was understandable that the openers remained strokeless for the first 16 overs of their innings. Chaminda Vaas bowled accurately but neither he nor Nuwan Zoysa looked penetrative. With Mutiah Muralitharan waiting restlessly in the wings a more positive approach would have been more advisable. The follow on target of 322 remains a long way off.

When Muralitharan did enter into the attack he wasted no time in asserted himself, bowling the superstitious debutante, Neil Mckenzie (11), between his bat and pad. One over later he had also snaffled Gary Kirsten (12). Kumar Sangakkara defying his critics with a good catch behind the stumps.

To the credit of the South Africa Jacques Kallis (26*) and Darryl Cullinan (28*)stopped the rot there and batted well to the end. Positive in their defense they were able to smother the spin of the Sri Lankan trio. On a wicket that is fast crumbling into dust they face a tough day tomorrow.