Suranga Lakmal took four wickets and gave Sri Lanka a slight edge on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at St George's Park yesterday
Suranga Lakmal
Suranga Lakmal
Port Elizabeth: Suranga Lakmal took four wickets and gave Sri Lanka a slight edge on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at St George's Park yesterday.
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Lakmal took four for 62 in 23 overs as South Africa reached 267 for six at the end of the day on which they failed to capitalise on a century-opening partnership between Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar.
Opening bowler Lakmal pegged back the hosts by taking the first three wickets and later dismissed South African captain Faf du Plessis. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath took two wickets, including that of JP Duminy, South Africa's top scorer with a fluent 63.
When Du Plessis won the toss and decided to bat on a well-grassed but slow pitch, it was anticipated that the first two hours would be the most difficult for batsmen. Cook (59) and Elgar (45) were seldom troubled as they reached 92 for no wicket at lunch. They started cautiously and left the ball well before gradually lifting the tempo.