Pure pace and sweet spin, just a pity about last two hours
AS MUCH as things change, they stay the same. Last time here on the coast of Sri Lanka, South Africa’s batsmen flung their advantage out into the Indian Ocean before the opening day had run its course.
Four years on it was the turn of the bowlers. Pure pace and sweet spin left the home side on 178/8 in the afternoon.
Dismissing Sri Lanka below 200 was within reach, even with Sri Lanka opener Dimuth Karunaratne fighting a lone battle at one end.
During this intense period Kagiso Rabada – just like his captain Faf du Plessis had promised pre-match – showed all the skill and passion that has earned the 23-year-old his world No 1 status.
It was these attributes that, along with Tabraiz Shamsi’s spin and guile, that saw Sri Lanka lose 6/61 either side of a deluge.
Perhaps the energy-sapping humidity becomes a factor the longer the day wears on here. Chances were created, but the Decision Review System ruled that Dean Elgar had not completed a fair catch that would have closed the Sri Lankan innings.
That allowed “Marathon Man” Karunaratne, with the assistance of captain Suranga Lakmal (10 off 40 balls) and last-man Lakshan Sandakan (25 off 55 balls), to add 111 runs for the last two wickets, and carry his bat for 158 not out.
The Proteas lost opener Aiden Markram for a duck to Rangana Herath as the shadows lengthened.
“I will probably say the day was even. The guys towards the end batted really well,” said Shamsi.
“You must give credit to their tail as well. The guys from our side were really toiling hard, but credit to them; they stuck around with the in-batsman.
“As we expect it is a turning wicket. The spinners need to do the damage, but our seamers were brilliant. Kagiso Rabada took four wickets.
“The rain did play a role there, I won’t say it caused havoc, but the ball getting wet and things like that does affect play.
“I don’t want to take credit away from the way they batted because the opener showed it is possible to score runs.”