First Test: Pacer Fernando puts Lanka on top

Durban, February 13

Seamer Vishwa Fernando bagged four wickets as Sri Lanka took the honours on Day 1 of the first Test against South Africa by reducing the hosts to 235 all out at Kingsmead on Wednesday.

The tourists were 49/1 in reply, trailing by 186 runs on a lively wicket that appeared to get easier to bat on.

Captain Dimuth Karunaratne (28 not out) and the attacking Oshada Fernando (17 not out) will resume on the second morning, hoping to lay the platform for a sizeable first innings lead.

Sri Lanka opener Lahiru Thirimanne was their only wicket to fall, batting for close to half-an-hour before he was caught by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock for a duck off seamer Dale Steyn.

It was the perfect start to the tour for the Sri Lankans, who endured two heavy Test defeats on their recent trip to Australia and have not won a game in any format since October. South Africa’s innings was rescued to a degree by a fighting 80 from de Kock before he was the last man out, having at least taken his side past the 200 mark.

“We need to get off to a good start tomorrow and try and find a way to strike early,” de Kock said. 

Helpful wicket

De Kock said they were not surprised by the quality of the visitors’ bowling attack on a helpful wicket. After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Sri Lanka had South Africa three wickets down with 17 runs on the board before Faf du Plessis (35) and Temba Bavuma (47) put on 72 for the fourth wicket to calm home nerves. — Reuters

Brief scores: South Africa: 235 (de Kock 80, Bavuma 47; Fernando 4/62, Rajitha 3/68); Sri Lanka: 49/1 (Karunaratne 28*; Steyn 1/10)