Published: Dec 29, 2016, 11:30 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 29, 2016, 09:33 PM (IST)
Good Morning, Goeie more, සුභ සන්ධ්යාවක්! Hello, and Welcome to CricketCountry’s live blog of Day Four of the first match of the three-Test series between hosts South Africa and visitors Sri Lanka, at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth. I am Vishal Mehra, and I will be bringing to you all the live updates from today’s action. It was a roller coaster first two days but hosts South Africa have managed to firm their grips on the proceedings extending their lead to 432. Sri Lanka started the day at 181 for 7 with Dhananjaya de Silva going strong on 43.
He fell for his overnight score as the visitors managed to add another 24 runs handing South Africa an 81-run lead. Vernon Philander finished with 5 for 45, registering his 11th five-for in Test cricket. Kyle Abbott added 3 to his tally. South Africa did not capitalise on their good start in the first innings and surrendered to Suranga Lakmal’s brilliance. South African openers, however, stitched a century stand with Dean Elgar registering his second fifty of the game while Stephen Cook continued to cash-in on his sublime form, scoring his third Test ton — his third of the year. The flowing drives off Hashim Amla’s blade reassured his importance in the South African line-up. He was going almost at run-a-ball before Nuwan Pradeep trapped him for 48. Amla became the 10,000th LBW victim in Test cricket.
LIVE Cricket Scorecard, South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test at Port Elizabeth
South Africa scored at almost four and half an over. At stumps, the hosts finished with 351 for 5 with skipper Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock going strong at 41 and 42 respectively. South Africa may eye to bat for another session before declaring and knowing du Plessis’ unique instincts; he may well enforce an overnight declaration. South Africa sniff a win but Sri Lanka have a reputation of being fighters. Another gripping day awaits Port Elizabeth.
