Published: Dec 26, 2016, 03:50 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 26, 2016, 03:56 PM (IST)
South Africa and Sri Lanka rounded off against each other in the first match of the three-Test series in South Africa. The home side won the toss on Day One of the Boxing Day Test at Port Elizabeth, elected to bat first on a batting friendly track. Their openers in Dean Elgar and Stephen Cook went untested all through the first session providing their side a steady start. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, toiled hard to pick wickets on an almost unexciting pitch. Going into lunch on Day One, South Africa were 91 for 0 with all their wickets intact.
Elgar and Cook came out to negate any early morning movement the pitch had to offer. Cook in particular looked more settled in the middle. For Sri Lanka, Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep started the proceedings keeping things tight with the new ball. What was amusing to the eye was a band of musicians sitting in the stands and playing some cheerful music for all to cherish. Skipper Angelo Mathews came onto bowl early into the session, which was a good sign for Sri Lanka. Mathews has had his problems with injuries in the past. Lakmal meanwhile continued to cause problems for Cook beating quite a few times.
Live Cricket Scorecard, South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test at Port Elizabeth
Cook has looked good and has played according to the conditions. With the ball coming off slow of the surface, he stood outside the crease and used his reach to good effect, adding a couple of boundaries against his name
Soon, Elgar got into the act and added a few boundaries to his name. Pradeep who bowled beautifully in his first spell, was guilty of bowling loose deliveries.
After the drinks Sri Lanka called upon Dushmantha Chameera to bowl. Both batsmen after settling in were looking forward to notch up their respective fifties. The pair with the help of a Cook boundary brought-up their 50-run stand for the first wicket in 108 balls.
For Sri Lanka, what was lacking for them was the ability to surprise the batsmen. They bowled tight lines but were not consistent with it. Sri Lanka’s most priced possession Rangana Herath too found it difficult to pick wickets but was able to contain the run-flow.
Cook reached his second consecutive half-century in 102 balls that included 8 fours.
South Africa were the more pleased side heading into lunch with Elgar and Cook 52 batting on 39 and 52 respectively, and the team score being 92 for no loss.
South Africa just made one change to the side that lost to Australia in the final Test at Adelaide. South Africa picked Keshav Maharaj forTabrez Shamsi. Sri Lanka made three changes to their side from the one that played in Zimbabwe. Mathews is back at helm and Dinesh Chandimal and Dushmantha Chameera too make a return.
Brief scores:
South Africa 92 for no loss (Dean Elgar 39*, Stephen Cook 52*) vs Sri Lanka.
