Defiant Karunaratne hits 158, rescues Lanka
Sri Lanka opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne struck a defiant unbeaten hundred on his return to the side to give the hosts a fighting first innings total in the opening Test against South Africa on Thursday.
The 30-year-old carried his bat through the Sri Lankan innings to remain unbeaten on 158 as the hosts were all out for 287 after stand-in captain Suranga Lakmal won the toss and chose to bat in the first of the two-Test series.
South Africa lost opener Aiden Markram to veteran Rangana Herath to reach four for one at stumps. Dean Elgar and nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj were at the crease.
The hosts’ regular captain Dinesh Chandimal has pleaded guilty to a disciplinary breach during the side’s second Test against West Indies last month and has opted to sit out of the series against South Africa.
The International Cricket Council, the world governing body of the sport, is due to announce a verdict in the case soon.
On a turning surface, it was fast bowler Kagiso Rabada who did the maximum damage for the touring side with four wickets for 50.
Left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi made an impact in just his second Test with two crucial wickets to hurt Sri Lanka, who had taken lunch at 93-2. Former pace spearhead Dale Steyn, returning to the South African team from injury having last played a Test in January, picked up the wicket of Kusal Mendis for 24 to trigger a mini collapse.
Rabada tore through the Sri Lankan middle-order after lunch as the islanders slipped from 115-2 to 119-5.
Rabada removed former captain Angelo Mathews and Roshen Silva in the same over as the hosts lost three wickets for four runs. Shamsi added to his morning’s wicket tally, having Niroshan Dickwella caught at slip for 18, just before rain interrupted play.
Experienced Karunaratne, back to open the batting for the hosts after missing the West Indies tour due to injury, stitched together meaningful stands with Niroshan Dickwella, who made 18, and Lakshan Sandakan, the duo adding 63 for the last wicket.
The left-handed batsman hit 13 fours and one six during his 222-ball unbeaten knock.
Sri Lanka first innings: 287 all out in 78.4 overs (D Karunarante 158 not out, L Sandakan 25; K Rabada 4/50, T Shamsi 3/91) South Africa first innings 4/1 in four overs (D Elgar not out 4; R Herath 1/1)
GALLE: THE HOSTS WERE TOTTERING AT 119/5 BEFORE THE OPENER BLAZED TO CENTURY ON HIS RETURN TO THE SIDE. SRI LANKA WERE BOWLED OUT FOR 287 BRIEF SCORES: