Sri Lanka extended their lead to 186 runs by tea after the Proteas were skittled for 126 in their first innings of the first Test in Galle.
The Proteas suffered a miserable morning. Session one saw them lose six wickets for 86 runs and after the lunch break, they lost their remaining four wickets.
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Faf du Plessis called for his batsmen to step up in his post-match press conference, but instead, they wilted as they posted the Proteas’ lowest total in Sri Lanka.
A 64-run partnership between Du Plessis and Vernon Philander was an example of the approach the Proteas batsmen were meant to take, as they attempted to lure out the Sri Lankan pace-attack with a gritty-defensive approach.
The Sri Lanka skipper took the bait and made the Proteas pay. He ripped through the Proteas’ tail taking 3-21, which included a beautiful inswinger to send Du Plessis’ bails flying one run short of a half-century.
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The Proteas had a chance for an early breakthrough five minutes before tea, but Temba Bavuma put down first-innings centurion Dimuth Karunaratne at short-fine leg.
Sri Lanka added 25 runs at the start of their second innings as they extended their lead to 186 runs.
Sri Lanka (first innings) 287 – Dimuth Karunaratne (157*), Kagiso Rabada 4-50, Tabraiz Shamsi 3-91.
South Africa (first innings) 126 – Faf du Plessis (49), Dilruwan Perera (4-46), Suranga Lakmal (3-21), Rangana Herath (2-34)
Sri Lanka (second innings) 25-0 – Danushka Gunathilaka (10*), Dimuth Karunaratne (15*)
Photo: Lakruwan Wanniarchchi/AFP/Getty Images
