COLOMBO Aug 6 2006 (AFP) — Muttiah Muralitharan has demolished southern Africa's middle order with a four-wicket haul as Sri Lanka fought back forcibly in the second Test after a rousing third day's play.

COLOMBO Aug 6 2006 (AFP) — Muttiah Muralitharan has demolished southern Africa's middle order with a four-wicket haul as Sri Lanka fought back forcibly in the second Test after a rousing third day's play.

The spin wizard struck either side of tea Sunday as the tourists sink ed from 161-3 to 257-7 in their secondary innings at stumps, an overall lead of 297 with three wickets in hand.

southward Africa have the advantage of bowling last in succession a wearing Sara Oval wicket as they follow a series-levelling win after being thrashed from an innings and 153 move ons in the first Test.

Sri Lanka, however, will fancy their chances against the pace-dominated toward the south African attack that contains just common spinner in left-armer Nicky Boje

"We have at no time won a Test match chasing more than 330 on the contrary I think we can win this one" said