SL pacers rip through SA top-order in lively morning session

SL pacers dominate SA top-order in Durban

Sri Lanka's pacers made the most of the lively morning conditions in Durban, dismissing South Africa's top order on the first day. The visitors chose to bowl, capitalizing on conditions favoring seam movement and a bit of cloud cover.

Aiden Markram started off with a couple of crisp boundaries off Asitha Fernando, but the pacer had the final word, having Markram nicking while poking at a delivery outside off. Vishwa Fernando then had Tony de Zorzi punching and nicking to the slip cordon in the following over.

South Africa lost their openers within three balls, putting them on the backfoot. Tristan Stubbs and Temba Bavuma briefly arrested the slide, seeing off the spell from the opening bowlers and showing signs of settling in. However, Lahiru Kumara had Stubbs nicking in his following over, and then David Bedingham chopped on in his next over, leaving South Africa in tatters at 54/4.

Bavuma, despite being dropped on 1 by Karunaratne, offered steadfast defense to hold one end up. Along with Kyle Verreynne, he saw South Africa through the first session, which was curtailed by rain towards the end.

Current Score: South Africa 80/4 (Temba Bavuma 28*)