Published: Jul 13, 2018, 12:33 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 13, 2018, 12:33 PM (IST)
South Africa were 86 for 6 at lunch on Day Two in the first Test against Sri Lanka, at Galle International Stadium. They still need 2 to avoid the follow-on, though it is unlikely that Sri Lanka will want to enforce it on the turning wicket. Sri Lankan captain Suranga Lakmal bowled the last over before lunch. That over, the 37th of the innings, was the first time they used pace. Rangana Herath (2 for 34), Dilruwan Perera (3 for 28), and Lakshan Sandakan (1 for 18) had bowled throughout till then.
South Africa resumed at 4 for 1, having lost Aiden Markram to Herath last evening. Herath struck with his ninth ball of the morning, beating night-watchman Keshav Maharaj in air and turning it enough to hit him plumb in front. Dean Elgar tried to push Dilruwan against the turn and edged to slip. At this stage South Africa were 13 for 3.
Hashim Amla and Temba Bavuma added 27 before another triple-blow pushed South Africa back further. Amla fell to a bat-pad catch off Dilruwan that Sri Lanka had to review. Bavuma tried to sweep Sandakan — perhaps a predetermined stroke — from way outside off and dragged on to the stumps. And Quinton de Kock was beaten in turn by Dilruwan and was bowled.
Faf du Plessis and Vernon Philander hung on grimly to lift South Africa from 51 for 6. Shortly before lunch, however, at 76 for 6, Philander was ruled out leg-before off Herath. He reviewed and survived: the ball would have missed off.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 287 (Dimuth Karunaratne 158; Kagiso Rabada 4 for 50, Tabraiz Shamsi 3 for 91) lead South Africa 86 for 6 (Faf du Plessis 22*; Rangana Herath 2 for 34, Dilruwan Perera 3 for 28) by 201 runs.
