Left-handed opening batsman Dean Elgar stroked his career-best knock of 129 to lead the South African batting effort against Sri Lanka on day one in the second Test in Cape Town.
Elgar’s superb 230-ball 129, which is also his 6th Test ton contained 15 fours as he resisted the Lankans and pushed the total to 296 for 6 at close of play. 19-year old fast-bowler Lahiru Kumara impressed for the visitors picking up 3 for 86 on a bouncy Newlands surface and generated good pace throughout his 17 overs.
After being at a tricky stage on 169 for 5, the hosts recovered courtesy Elgar and free-flowing Quinton De Kock who remained unbeaten on 68 as they added 103 runs for the 6th wicket to put South Africa in charge.
De Kock and Elgar scored at a decent pace as the Lankan bowling attack minus Nuwan Pradeep who went out of the field due to an injury while bowling his 16th over lost their shine at the latter part of the day.
Elgar drove Pradeep down the ground to bring up his century but edged behind off Suranga Lakmal as the visitors struck with the second new ball. De Kock and surprising night watchman, Kyle Abbott negotiated the final five overs without much problem even though De Kock survived two close LBW decisions thanks to the DRS system.
Photos: Sri Lanka v South Africa 2nd Test – Day 1
Photos of the Sri Lanka v South Africa | 2nd Test – Day 1
Earlier in the first session, Lakmal picked up the first international wicket for 2017 with a brilliant out-swinging delivery to nick out the South African hero of the first Test, Stephen Cook for a 4-ball duck.
Hashim Amla and Elgar added 66 for the 2nd wicket as they settled down on a seaming surface even though the visitors gave away nothing with the ball. Playing in only his third Test and sixth first-class match, building up good pace, the strongly-built Kumara who replaced Dushmantha Chameera struck in the first ball of his 3rd over to clean bowl Amla with a delivery which nipped off the seam and went through the bat and pad gap.
Former Trinitian Kumara completed his double-wicket maiden to get Sri Lanka back in the game as JP Duminy gloved down the leg side off a steep bouncer and Kusal Mendis, keeping wickets instead of regular stumper, Dinesh Chandimal dived to his right and pocketed a scintillating catch. Chandimal has been reported to be not fully fit due to having fever overnight.
Resuming the second session on 69 for 3, South Africa accumulated 78 runs for the loss of Faf Du Plessis, minutes before the tea break in 29 overs in the post-lunch session. Both Elgar and Du Plessis played cautiously against the Lankan seamers to rack up 76 runs for the 4th wicket.
After being dropped by Upul Tharanga on 31 at mid-off Du Plessis edged to first slip on 38 as Rangana Herath struck in his 6th over. After opting to bowl first on an overcast morning, captain Mathews used four seamers including himself for 41 overs before bringing on spin.
Temba Bavuma mistimed a pull shot and fell to some exceptional fast bowling by the teenager, Kumara as Tharanga held on to a good running catch at fine leg to put the Proteas in a spot of bother.
