Published: Dec 28, 2016, 10:06 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 28, 2016, 10:13 PM (IST)
South Africa ruled roost on Day Three against Sri Lanka at Port Elizabeth during the first match of the three-Test series. Sri Lanka in a way played according to the motion than anything else, while South Africa gazed like a team on a mission. Sri Lanka suffered a collapse early in the day that slightly shattered their confidence going into bowling. South Africa on the flipside would have felt inspired by their bowlers as their batsmen accumulated runs by the truck. The day saw more runs than wickets as opposed to Day Two where 11 wickets fell; even rain could not hamper the home side’s juggernaut.
Vernon Philander’s double-wicket over: South Africa eyed quick wickets and Philander delivered it for their team. He knocked over Dhananjaya de Silva’s wicket on the very first ball of the day. The ball moved just inches away from the good length spot to produce an outside edge of de Silva’s bat, which did Quinton de Kock
LIVE Cricket Scorecard, South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test at Port Elizabeth
lobbed. Philander did not stop just yet, he snapped up another wicket in the over of Suranga Lakmal. Lakmal trying to hit Philander over mid-on handed a simple catch to Kyle Abbott for 4, gifting the bowler his fifth wicket of the innings. This was Philander’s 11th five-wicket haul in Tests.
Lightning break: With absolutely no forecast of rain in the east coast the clouds suddenly took a u-turn and decided to stop by Port Elizabeth. The wind since Day Two was quietly storming–up that enabled the clouds to move in. With only 10 overs bowled in South Africa’s second innings lightning struck, along with rain pouring down that caused an early lunch break. The rain came poured heavily, and left soon after saying hello, much to the amusement of the public present in the ground.
Dean Elgar’s persistence knock of 52: Elgar replayed from his knock from the first innings as he looked in complete control. Elgar played with patience mostly with the ball swinging both ways, while cantering the bowlers at will. Elgar used both his technical know-how and physical force to notch up 4 fours against Angelo Mathews and Lakmal.
Elgar reached his half-century in 96 balls. Lakmal did have the final laugh knocking over Elgar for 52.
Stephen Cook’ gritty century: Cook who looked well to get a hundred in the first innings, started his innings looking nervous and unsure. Cook had quite a few reprieves along the way as he was dropped a couple of times. In between Cook exhibited clean hitting and footwork against the moving ball. As the day progressed Cook became more confident and started playing effortlessly.
Cook recorded his half-century in 81-balls; faster than Elgar. Soon after his fifty Cook opened up even more and brought out every shot in the book. Cook did not shy away from using the reverse and convention sweep against Herath. Cook got to his third Test century in 152 balls; his second at home.
Hashim Amla in 10,000-club: Amla who has been under the pump to perform with the bat lately, came out with clear content to hit himself to form. Amla looked in a good touch as he produced a classical array of shots, cover driving and straight driving bowlers at his mercy. Amla who looked well set for a half-century, got out on the score of 48.
What was special about his dismal was that it was the 10,000th leg-before wicket in Test cricket. Amla went across the line and failed to connect with the ball as Pradeep got him leg-before; clearly he has an unwanted record beside his name.
