Fernando strikes early but S Africa stage fightback in first test

13 February 2019 02:32 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 0

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DURBAN, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka seamer Vishwa Fernando struck an early double blow as the tourists reduced South Africa to 89 for four at lunch on the opening day of the first test at Kingsmead on Wednesday.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Sri Lanka had South Africa three down with 17 runs on the board before Faf du Plessis (35) and Temba Bavuma (38 not out) put on 72 for the fourth wicket to calm home nerves.

However, Sri Lanka made sure it was their morning as Du Plessis was out the last ball of the session, tickling a Kasun Rajitha delivery down the leg side to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella.

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Fernando (2-31) was impressive with the new ball as he had opener Dean Elgar caught by Dickwella for a duck, and then clean-bowled the dangerous Aiden Markram (11).

In between those strikes, new ball partner Suranga Lakmal struck to remove the experienced Hashim Amla (3), caught at second slip by Kusal Mendis.

Du Plessis and Bavuma had their fair share of good fortune as they fought to survive on a seaming wicket and under cloudy skies in Durban, before the former’s luck finally ran out.

Quinton de Kock will start his partnership with Bavuma after the interval.

Sri Lanka picked up early wickets on their recent tour of Australia but failed to drive home that advantage, and will be eager to avoid a repeat in this first test.

The tourists have handed a debut to spinner Lasith Embuldeniya, while South Africa have recalled slow bowler Keshav Maharaj for batsman Theunis de Bruyn. Du Plessis said at the toss he was unsure how the wicket would play over the five days.

Sri Lanka have an unbeaten record in their previous two tests at Kingsmead, drawing in 2000 and then claiming a handsome 208-run victory in 2011.

Sri Lanka won the toss and sent South Africa in to bat in the first Test at Kingsmead on Wednesday.

South Africa opted for a five-man bowling attack, adding left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj to the four-pronged pace attack that dominated the last two Tests against Pakistan recently, with batsman Theunis de Bruyn making way for the extra bowler.

Dimuth Karunaratne, captaining Sri Lanka for the first time, said he believed conditions would help his bowlers at the start of the match.

“There is quite a bit of grass and a bit of moisture in the surface. We want to get the maximum out of it.” Sri Lanka included two new caps in batsman Oshada Fernando and left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya.

“The four seamers are so much of an X-factor,” said South African captain Faf du Plessis.

The match was due to start in hot, sunny conditions but rain was likely later in the day.

Teams: South Africa: Faf du Plessis (captain), Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Duanne Olivier.

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wkt), Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Suranga Lakmal, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lasith Embuldeniya.

Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), Richard Kettleborough (ENG) TV umpire: Ian Gould (ENG)

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