COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: South Africa frustrated Sri Lanka's spin attack with a defensive batting strategy to earn a draw in the second test on Monday and win the two-match series, 1-0.
Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath bagged five wickets --the 18th time he has taken five or more wickets in an innings -- but he couldn't prevent the draw after Sri Lanka set a 369-run target for the visitors on the final day of the test.
The South Africans were defensive from the start, scoring just 159 runs in 111 overs in nearly six hours of batting at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Sri Lanka hit back strong in the last session by claiming three wickets, but could not dismiss South Africa's final two batters.
Herath finished with 5-40, while off-spinner Dilruwan Perera was 3-60. Quinton de Kock made 37 off 92 deliveries, captain Hashim Amla 25 off 159 balls, and JP Duminy just one run from 41 balls. More than half of the 111 overs bowled in the innings were maidens.
Sri Lanka made 421 in its first innings and declared its second innings on 229-8. South Africa scored 282 in its first innings. South Africa won the first test by 153 runs in Galle
