Live Cricket Score, Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 1st Test Day 2: Herath Spins Web on Visitors

File photo of Rangana Herath (Getty Images)

Commentary (South Africa innings)

52.6 S Lakmal to Rabada, No ball. 123/8

52.5 S Lakmal to Rabada, No run. 122/8

52.4 S Lakmal to Rabada, No run. 122/8

52.3 S Lakmal to Rabada, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. 122/8

Meanwhile, Tabraiz Shamsi is all smiles in the dressing room. Maybe, he is thinking, aha... I shall be getting a chance to bowl on this spinner's paradise soon. Or... perhaps he just enjoys cricket as a whole and not quite focussing on the mire in which his team is in.

52.2 S Lakmal to Rabada, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 122/8

52.1 S Lakmal to Rabada, On middle, flicked through square leg for a couple. Gets off the mark. 122/8

51.6 D Perera to Steyn, Full and outside off, DS gets across to flick but misses and is hit on the box. 120/8

51.5 D Perera to Steyn, Full and just around off, Steyn gets across and defends. 120/8

51.4 D Perera to Steyn, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 120/8

51.3 D Perera to Steyn, Down the leg side, Steyn misses his flick as the ball spins away. 120/8

51.2 D Perera to Steyn, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 120/8

51.1 D Perera to D Steyn, Full and outside off, defended watchfully. 120/8

50.6 S Lakmal to Steyn, Works it off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket for a single. 120/8

50.5 S Lakmal to Steyn, The batsman has driven it through mid off. 119/8

50.4 S Lakmal to Steyn, More loose stuff. Looks to drive away from his body and gets it off the inner half of the bat towards mid on. 119/8

50.3 S Lakmal to Steyn, Around off, Dale plays away from his body and gets a bit of an inside edge onto the track. 119/8

50.2 S Lakmal to D Steyn, FOUR! Streaky. Outside off, on a length, Steyn looks to defend but the ball moves away a touch, takes the outside edge and goes through the vacant second slip region to the third man fence. A strike rate of 400 to begin his innings. The deficit is now 168. 119/8

Dale Steyn walks in at number 10. Time for some entertainment now?

50.1 S Lakmal to Plessis, OUT! Reverse swing and the captain has been dislodged! Lakmal has not bowled much in this innings but he has chosen to come at a time when the ball has started to reverse. And he is a great exponent of the same. Lands it on a length outside off, du Plessis looks to defend but then the ball comes in a long way, goes right through the gap between bat and pad and BOOM. Hits the top of off. Nothing much that Faf could have done. He held fort at the Galle Fort for so long and it has taken a peach to breach that. Fine knock from the skipper, saving his side some embarrassment. 115/8

49.6 D Perera to Rabada, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 115/7

49.5 D Perera to Rabada, Outside off, watchfully defended. 115/7

Kagiso Rabada is the new man in.

49.4 Perera to Philander, OUT! Dilruwan has provided the breakthrough. Don't quite understand the need of that review, unless it has been done in desperation. Or maybe Philander thought that umpire's call could come into play and the review will be saved. But nope. South Africa have lost a wicket and a review. This is pitched around off, Philander stays back to work it to the leg side but the ball drifts in a touch, straightens a touch and hits the batsman plumb in front. Philander does not even bother discussing much with his captain and straightaway calls for the review - nothing much in it, really. No inside edge, pitched in line, hit in line and going to hit off. End of a nice vigil though - which lasted 86 balls. The partnership was worth 64 from 166 balls. 115/7

LBW! But Philander wants a review... impact perhaps?

49.3 D Perera to Philander, Nice loop on this one, outside off, Philander gets forward to defend but the ball goes off the inside edge and lands just short of short leg. 115/6

49.2 D Perera to Plessis, Pushes this wide of cover for a single. 115/6

49.1 D Perera to Plessis, Full on middle, flicked towards short mid-wicket. 114/6

48.6 S Lakmal to Philander, The batsman has punched that ball through the off side. 114/6

48.5 S Lakmal to du Plessis, Now an inside edge, as he plays away from the ball again, getting it past the stumps to fine leg. A single results. 114/6

48.4 S Lakmal to Plessis, EDGED, FOUR! No second slip. Full and wide outside off, Faf is feeling like that child who has been quiet due to his disciplined father and then the moment his father is not in his presence, becomes mischievous. The Protea skipper does not move his feet at all, just throws his bat at it and gets a thick outside edge through the vacant second slip to the third man fence. The stand moves to 62. 113/6

48.3 S Lakmal to Plessis, Outside off, is that REVERSING? FdP seemed to be surprised as well as he played that late, guiding it to first slip. 109/6

48.2 S Lakmal to Plessis, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 109/6

48.1 S Lakmal to Plessis, FOUR! Du Plessis likes pace. On a length around off, Faf gets on top of the bounce and punches it through the covers for a boundary. The deficit is now 178. Faf has moved to 7 short of a half century. 109/6

Suranga Lakmal is on to bowl. I guess for more than a solitary over which he did in the first session.

47.6 D Perera to Philander, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails. 105/6

47.5 D Perera to Philander, EDGED, DROPPED! A chance, a tough one but Mathews almost pulls off a stunner. Full and outside off, Philander looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge. It goes on to hit Dickwella's pad who is late to react. The ball dies in front of Angelo Mathews at first slip who lunges to catch but is unable to take it. The ball then hits his head, rolls down his spine, he tries again, so does Dhananjaya de Silva from leg slip as he tries to get across but the ball falls to the ground. 105/6

47.4 D Perera to Philander, Goes back in his crease and blocks. 105/6

47.3 D Perera to Plessis, Again on the shorter side, Faf is back in a flash to nudge the ball through fine leg for a single. 105/6

47.2 D Perera to Plessis, Much fuller, similar line, du Plessis lunges to block. 104/6

47.1 D Perera to Plessis, A touch short on middle, played in front of short leg. 104/6

46.6 R Herath to Philander, Outside off, pushed towards cover. 104/6

46.5 R Herath to Philander, This is in line of the stumps, VP defends it with his pad close to his bat. 104/6

46.4 R Herath to Philander, Full and just outside off, Vernon takes his bat out of the way. 104/6

46.3 R Herath to Philander, Full again, just around off, well blocked out. 104/6

46.2 R Herath to Philander, BEATEN! Slower through the air, outside off, fuller in length, Philander gets forward to defend but the ball spins past the outside edge. 104/6

46.1 R Herath to Philander, Full and just around off, watchfully defended. 104/6

45.6 D Perera to Philander, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. 104/6

45.5 D Perera to Philander, Driven towards the mid off region. 103/6

45.4 D Perera to Plessis, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. 103/6

45.3 D Perera to Plessis, MISFIELD, FOUR! Outside off, pushed towards mid off. Captain Lakmal goes to his right but as his name suggests in Sanskrit - SURANGA - he creates a tunnel and the ball goes through to the long off fence. 102/6

45.2 D Perera to Plessis, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 100/6

45.1 Perera to Plessis, A mild LBW shout. Probably turning too much. Bounce as well. Landed around off, spinning in, du Plessis comes forward to defend but then the ball spits through, going past the inside edge to hit the pad. 100/6

44.6 R Herath to Philander, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 100/6

44.5 R Herath to Philander, Down the leg side, VP tries his best to pad that away but the ball goes straight on and misses his pad on its way to the keeper. 100/6

44.4 R Herath to Philander, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 100/6

44.3 R Herath to Philander, The arm ball outside off, shouldered arms to. 100/6

Late backing... Herath was already into his delivery stride and about to release the ball but at that precise moment, a crow flew by and Philander pulled out. Dead ball signalled.

44.2 R Herath to Philander, Outside leg again, this time Vernon pads it away. 100/6

44.1 R Herath to Philander, Pitched outside leg, Philander looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. 100/6

43.6 D Perera to du Plessis, The ball has found the edge of the bat. 100/6

43.5 D Perera to Plessis, On middle and leg, flicked towards mid-wicket. 100/6

43.4 D Perera to Plessis, The batsman failed to make contact and was hit low on the pads. 100/6

43.3 D Perera to Plessis, FOUR! 100 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA! The second 50 has taken 138 balls but it has resulted in lesser number of wickets. Full and outside off, du Plessis gets down and sweeps it through mid-wicket for a boundary. The deficit is now 187. 100/6

43.2 D Perera to Plessis, Around off, Faf looks to block but the ball spins away to square him up, takes the outside edge and goes past slip to third man. A couple taken. 96/6

43.1 D Perera to Plessis, Full and around off, du Plessis looks to defend. 94/6

42.6 R Herath to Philander, Lovely ball. Tosses this one on middle, Vernon lunges to block but then the ball spins away to beat the outside edge. 94/6

42.5 R Herath to Philander, Down the leg side, Philander misses his flick while the keeper fumbles. 94/6

42.4 R Herath to Philander, Full and straight, dead-batted by the batsman. 94/6

42.3 R Herath to Philander, Comes over the wicket, bowls it around leg, defended to cover. 94/6

42.2 R Herath to Philander, Pitched around leg stump, blocked back to the bowler. 94/6

42.1 R Herath to Philander, Tossed up around off, watchfully defended. 94/6

41.6 D Perera to du Plessis, Comes down the track, takes the ball on the full and drives it towards mid off. 94/6

41.5 D Perera to Plessis, Gets across his stumps and blocks. 94/6

41.4 D Perera to Plessis, Full on middle, pushed towards mid-wicket. 94/6

41.3 D Perera to Plessis, Pushes this towards mid on but the bowler gets across to his right to stop. 94/6

41.2 D Perera to Plessis, Full and outside off, du Plessis has a swipe but misses. 94/6

41.1 D Perera to Plessis, Tossed up around off, defended back to the bowler. 94/6

40.6 R Herath to Plessis, The ball has taken the inside edge of the bat and goes down the leg side. One run added to the total. 94/6

40.5 R Herath to Plessis, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 93/6

40.4 R Herath to Plessis, Full and straight, watchfully defended. 93/6

40.3 R Herath to Plessis, Outside off, punched straight to cover. 93/6

40.2 R Herath to Plessis, Well played. Full and outside off, spinning away, du Plessis plays that with an open bat-face, towards Angelo Mathews at first slip who cannot stop it and the ball goes through. Two runs taken. 91/6

40.1 R Herath to Plessis, Full and around off, driven towards cover. 91/6

39.6 D Perera to Philander, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 91/6

39.5 D Perera to Philander, Full and around off, watchfully blocked. 91/6

39.4 D Perera to Philander, The batsman works it down the leg side. 91/6

39.3 D Perera to Philander, Outside off, Philander plays for the turn - there is none. A play and a miss. 91/6

39.2 D Perera to Plessis, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single. 91/6

39.1 D Perera to Plessis, JUST SHORT. Full and outside leg, du Plessis looks to flick but the ball runs off the inside edge and goes towards leg gully where Dhananjaya de Silva dives to his right but cannot quite get the catch as the ball lands in front. 90/6

38.6 R Herath to du Plessis, Full and around off, eased past point for a run. 90/6

38.5 R Herath to du Plessis, Now the one which spins away, now FdP gets an outside edge past slip as he looks to block. 89/6

38.4 R Herath to Plessis, The arm ball now, Faf is a bit late in getting his bat down and gets a thick inside edge, just in front of short leg. 89/6

38.3 R Herath to Plessis, Very full and straight, blocked towards short leg. 89/6

38.2 R Herath to Philander, On middle, pushed past short mid-wicket for a quick single. 89/6

38.1 R Herath to Philander, Full and straight, watchfully defended. 88/6

Herath time...

37.6 D Perera to Plessis, Goes back in his crease and blocks. 88/6

37.5 D Perera to Plessis, The batsman works it down the leg side. 88/6

37.4 D Perera to Plessis, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 88/6

37.3 D Perera to Plessis, Full and around leg, watchfully patted away. 88/6

37.2 D Perera to Plessis, The ball has found the edge of the bat. They manage to come back for the second. SOUTH AFRICA HAVE NOW OFFICIALLY AVOIDED THE FOLLOW-ON. 88/6

37.1 D Perera to Plessis, Full and outside off, du Plessis looks to hack this away but mistimes it to mid off. 86/6

We are back for the second session. How long can the Faf-Vernon pair drag this fightback? How long can South Africa bat? The answers will get clearer soon. Dilruwan Perera to start off proceedings after Lunch. Faf to face. Here we go...

... DAY 2, SESSION 2 ...

NIYAMA, NIYAMA Sri Lanka. This is called out thinking the opposition. Not much needed to be done in terms of effort and they just concentrated on accuracy in line and length. Result? You can check the scorecard. Expect more of the same when the clock goes past 1240 local (0710 GMT) as that is the time of resumption...

Hashim Amla showed some application but not for long while Faf du Plessis and Vernon Philander's stand of 35 from 90 balls clearly suggests that this is not a 51/6 pitch - which was what the South African scorecard read at one point of time.

There is nothing wrong with the track. Just a hint of spin and nothing more. No venom. No bite. Just that word S-P-I-N has put the African batsmen's heads in a spin. They were treated to 32 overs of craftiness and one over of seam from the captain. The Protea batsmen were found wanting in terms of footwork and could not read the length at all.

Horrifying session for the visitors. 33 overs, 82 runs and 5 wickets. And the pitch has not even started to explode. It has been basically mind games and Sri Lanka have convincingly won that battle.

36.6 S Lakmal to Plessis, Full and outside off, pushed wide of point for a single. LUNCH ON DAY 2, SOUTH AFRICA TRAIL BY 201! 86/6

36.5 S Lakmal to Philander, Outside off, punched wide of cover for a single. Danushka Gunathilaka gets to the ball, takes it a bit easy and then turns around for a shy at the bowler's end and hits Philander's pad instead. 85/6

36.4 S Lakmal to Philander, Outside off, punched through the covers for a couple. 84/6

36.3 S Lakmal to Philander, On a length around off, Vernon dead-bats it. 82/6

36.2 S Lakmal to Philander, Outside off, pretty wide, can be left alone on length, IS left alone on length. 82/6

36.1 S Lakmal to Philander, Outside off, punched towards cover. 82/6

Wow. Stop the press. Pace is here. Suranga Lakmal to bowl what will now be the final over before Lunch.

35.6 R Herath to Philander, Full and outside off, Philander plays it with an angled bat past slip for a run. 82/6

35.5 R Herath to Philander, FOUR! Nice shot. Tossed up outside off, Philander reaches out and drives it through the covers for a boundary. 81/6

35.4 R Herath to Plessis, Oh... Lakmal is on the field. Not that he was not, just that it is nice to spot him. You know, he is also playing. Full and outside off, FdP jumps out again, gets to the pitch of the ball this time and drives it through mid off but his counterpart dives to his left and puts in a half stop. Just a single. 77/6

35.3 R Herath to Plessis, This time he stays put and defends. 76/6

35.2 R Herath to Plessis, First sign of loss of patience from Faf. Lunch is not far from here. Jumps down the track, is nowhere near the pitch of the ball and drags his attempted cover drive towards mid on. 76/6

35.1 R Herath to Plessis, Tossed up outside off, du Plessis gets across and defends. 76/6

34.6 L Sandakan to Philander, Full again, outside off, pushed towards cover. 76/6

34.5 L Sandakan to Philander, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 76/6

34.4 L Sandakan to Philander, More fuller stuff, pushed to the off side. 76/6

34.3 L Sandakan to Philander, Around off, Philander dead-bats it. 76/6

34.2 L Sandakan to Philander, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 76/6

34.1 L Sandakan to V Philander, Short and outside off, cut straight to point. 76/6

33.6 R Herath to Plessis, Ball hits the batsman low on the pads. 76/6

33.5 R Herath to Philander, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. 76/6

33.4 Herath to Philander, NOT OUT. Impact is outside the line. The arm ball, outside off, Philander looks to cut that off the back foot but misses and is hit on the pads. Umpire Reiffel gives it a thought and then raises the finger. Philander has a chat with his partner and then takes the review. One look is good enough but the entire procedure is followed - first the inside edge checked, then Hawk Eye. The ball is not even coming in to hit the stumps. 75/6

Review taken by Philander. For LBW. Is the impact outside off? Is there bat?

33.3 R Herath to Philander, Outside off, defended watchfully. 75/6

33.2 R Herath to Philander, Pushes this back to the bowler. 75/6

33.1 R Herath to Philander, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. 75/6

32.6 L Sandakan to V Philander, Pushes this through mid off for a run. 75/6

32.5 L Sandakan to Plessis, Full and outside off, swept through square leg for a single. 74/6

32.4 L Sandakan to Plessis, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. 73/6

32.3 L Sandakan to Philander, WRONG END! A better sense of the situation could have had Philander. He punches this in front of point and Faf wants to run for the single. He has already charged halfway down but Philander has not even moved. He now starts to run seeing his skipper ready to shake hands with him and as usual everyone shouts on the field. The fielder does what he thinks should be done - CONCENTRATE ON THE BALL, IGNORE THE COMMOTION. As a result, he does not see where Philander is and blindly throws it to the keeper, who is so frustrated that he does not even collect the ball - just whips off the stumps in anger. Perhaps a little less of shouting would aid his own side. 73/6

32.2 L Sandakan to Philander, Full and outside off, pushed towards mid off. 72/6

32.1 L Sandakan to Plessis, Short and outside off, punched through the off side for a single. 72/6

31.6 R Herath to Philander, The batsman has punched that ball through the off side. 71/6

31.5 R Herath to V Philander, Driven through mid off by the batsman. 71/6

31.4 R Herath to Philander, Full and outside off, driven towards mid off. 71/6

31.3 R Herath to Philander, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. 71/6

31.2 R Herath to Philander, Close call. Flighted ball around off, Philander looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. Sri Lanka shout but then do not review on the verdict not being given. Was there an inside edge? Ummm... well replays show that the ball hit the pad, then the bat. Hawk Eye shows that to be hitting the stumps. 71/6

31.1 R Herath to Philander, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. 71/6

30.6 L Sandakan to Philander, Pushes this past cover towards mid off for a quick run. 71/6

30.5 L Sandakan to Philander, Pushes it back to the bowler who leaps to stop. 70/6

30.4 L Sandakan to Philander, BEATEN. Tossed up outside off, Philander looks to drive but is foxed by the massive turn. It is too good for the keeper behind who is not able to grab it and the batsmen take a couple of byes. 70/6

30.3 L Sandakan to Philander, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. 68/6

30.2 L Sandakan to Philander, On middle and leg, flicked to the on side. 68/6

30.1 L Sandakan to Philander, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. 68/6

A long chat between Herath and Sandakan.

29.6 R Herath to Philander, This spins, pitched outside leg, moving towards off, VP pushes it past short leg for a single. The deficit is now 219. 68/6

29.5 R Herath to V Philander, Very full again, pushed to the off side. 67/6

29.4 R Herath to Philander, Full and straight, watchfully defended. 67/6

29.3 R Herath to V Philander, This is on off, a bit quicker, driven straight to cover. 67/6

29.2 R Herath to Philander, Nice pace. Not much speed, but plenty of loop. This is around leg, Vernon stretches out and blocks. 67/6

29.1 R Herath to Philander, Tossed up slowly on middle, Philander comes forward and defends. 67/6

Rangana Herath is back on, with a change of ends. He will bowl from the end where Dilruwan was bowling.

28.6 L Sandakan to du Plessis, FOUR! That is a top shot. Thrown up wide outside off, Faf reaches out and drives it through the covers for a rare boundary. 67/6

28.5 L Sandakan to Plessis, It's been driven superbly through the covers. 63/6

28.4 L Sandakan to Plessis, Tossed up just outside off, Faf blocks it with a dead bat. 63/6

28.3 L Sandakan to Plessis, Full and on middle and leg, pushed back to the bowler. 63/6

28.2 L Sandakan to du Plessis, Driven through mid off by the batsman. 63/6

28.1 L Sandakan to Plessis, The googly, outside leg, du Plessis initially looks to let it go but then spots the ball spinning in and defends. 63/6

27.6 D Perera to Philander, Goes back and works this straight to square leg. 63/6

27.5 D Perera to Plessis, A touch short, on middle, played through mid-wicket for one. 63/6

27.4 D Perera to Philander, Works this through the leg side for a run. 62/6

27.3 D Perera to V Philander, Full and straight, Philander looks to defend and is hit on the pads. A mild shout goes up for LBW but then dies down. Replays show that the ball hit the bat and pad at the same time. 61/6

27.2 D Perera to Plessis, On middle and leg, Faf goes back and gently works it through mid-wicket for a single. The stand moves to 10. 61/6

27.1 D Perera to Plessis, Tossed up around off, du Plessis dead-bats it. 60/6

26.6 L Sandakan to Philander, Short and outside off, cut straight to point. 60/6

26.5 L Sandakan to V Philander, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. 60/6

26.4 L Sandakan to Philander, NEARLY THE 7TH! Tossed up outside off, Philander almost does a Bavuma - runs out of patience and attempts a mighty heave across the line - only to get a thick inside edge past the leg stump towards fine leg. A couple taken. Gets off the mark. 60/6

Akshay Kumara - What am I seeing? 21 overs already? And we are still some time away from Lunch. @AkshayKumara - Well, it has been the day of the spinners. No seam at all. Not much scoring... you do expect the over-rate to be high...

26.3 L Sandakan to Philander, Full and outside off, pushed towards mid off. 58/6

26.2 L Sandakan to Philander, Full and down the leg side, left alone. 58/6

26.1 L Sandakan to Philander, The ball strikes the batsman very low on the pads. 58/6

25.6 D Perera to Plessis, Full and outside off, defended towards mid-wicket. 58/6

25.5 D Perera to du Plessis, The ball takes the outside edge goes towards the slip region. 58/6

25.4 D Perera to Plessis, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. 58/6

Dilruwan was charging in... but Faf stopped him. Some disturbance behind the sight screen. Perera starts again, only to be stopped again. 'OYE!' shouts Faf to the spectator in frustration.

25.3 D Perera to Plessis, Massive spin, from outside off, down the leg side, Faf misses his flick. 58/6

25.2 D Perera to Plessis, Now he looks to flick this from outside off but the ball goes off his pads to short leg. 58/6

25.1 D Perera to Plessis, Full and outside off, du Plessis gets a long way across and looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. 58/6

24.6 L Sandakan to Philander, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 58/6

24.5 L Sandakan to Philander, Outside off, left alone. 58/6

24.4 L Sandakan to Philander, On middle and leg, played towards short leg. 58/6

24.3 L Sandakan to Philander, Very full, on middle and leg, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. 58/6

24.2 L Sandakan to du Plessis, Full and outside off, du Plessis reaches out and pushes it with an angled bat behind point for a single. The deficit is now 229. 58/6

24.1 L Sandakan to Plessis, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They manage to come back for the second. 57/6

23.6 D Perera to V Philander, CATCH!!! Just short. A short ball on off, Philander looks to play that off his back foot but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball lobs up in the air but Kusal Mendis' dive is not enough to grab the catch at short leg. 55/6

23.5 D Perera to V Philander, Driven through mid off by the batsman. 55/6

23.4 D Perera to Plessis, On middle and leg, clipped through square leg for a single. 55/6

23.3 D Perera to Plessis, A bit of flight on this one, watchfully defended. 54/6

23.2 D Perera to Plessis, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 54/6

23.1 D Perera to Plessis, Full and outside off, Faf looks to flick but the ball goes off the leading edge through point. Two runs taken. 54/6

22.6 L Sandakan to Plessis, Pushes this wide of Rangana Herath at mid off and takes a quick single. 52/6

22.5 L Sandakan to Plessis, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 51/6

22.4 L Sandakan to Plessis, Very full and outside off, defended watchfully. 51/6

22.3 L Sandakan to Plessis, No run. 51/6

22.2 L Sandakan to Plessis, Very full, around off, driven towards mid off. 51/6

22.1 L Sandakan to Plessis, Full and around off, defended watchfully. 51/6

Time for the all-rounders. Or bowlers who can bat. Vernon Philander is the first of them.

Lucky escape for the bowler there...

21.6 Perera to de Kock, OUT! BOWLED! That is a beauty. An off spinner's delight. But how is that NOT a no ball? First let us get to the ball. It is tossed up over the eyeline of the batsman, around middle and off and de Kock lunges to defend. Then, the ball drifts in, spins away, beats the outside edge and hits the off stump! This is not the first time Quinton has got out like that. Ravichandran Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh will remember those type of dismissals. Meanwhile, the umpire wants to check for the overstepping. Replays seem to show that the foot has landed on the line and nothing behind it but still, it is ruled legal. 51/6

21.5 D Perera to Kock, EDGED AND GONE! No? We need to go to an eye specialist immediately. Beautiful delivery. Tossed up outside off, de Kock comes down the track, looks to flick but is not quite to the pitch of the ball. It spins away, hits something and goes to Angelo Mathews at first slip. We all feel that there is an outside edge but Mathews is more interested in the run out. He has a shy at the striker's end but misses. De Kock would have been run out. 51/5

21.4 D Perera to Kock, Reaches out and defends. 51/5

21.3 D Perera to Kock, The batsman gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads. 51/5

21.2 D Perera to Kock, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 51/5

21.1 D Perera to Kock, Full and outside off, de Kock looks to defend but gets a bit of an inside edge. 51/5

20.6 L Sandakan to Plessis, Down the leg side, Faf misses his flick as Dickwella fumbles. A terrific start from Sandakan. 51/5

20.5 L Sandakan to Plessis, Full and around off, driven straight back to the bowler. 51/5

20.4 L Sandakan to Kock, Pushes this through the covers for a single. 51/5

20.3 L Sandakan to Kock, Short and outside off, a touch wide, spinning away, cut through the covers for a couple. This is an achievement for South Africa - not the couple but 25 times that. 50/5

DRINKS BREAK. Quinton de Kock has walked out to the middle. Counter-attack?

20.2 L Sandakan to Bavuma, OUT! Dragged on! Half the side is back in the hut. This is turning out to be a sorry, sorry day for the Proteas. Floated outside off, Bavuma looks to sweep, rather slog sweep. He has to reach out a bit for the shot and ends up dragging it onto the stumps. Well, Herath struck in his second over. Dilruwan struck in his 5th. Sandakan has taken just 2 balls to strike. 48/5

20.1 L Sandakan to Bavuma, Full and spinning down the leg side, left alone. 48/4

Third spinner. Lakshan Sandakan to bowl now.

19.6 D Perera to Plessis, FOUR! Fine shot. Full and around off, Faf gets down and sweeps it uppishly, behind square leg for a boundary. 48/4

19.5 D Perera to Bavuma, Comes down the track and works it towards mid on for a run. 44/4

19.4 D Perera to Plessis, Outside off, pushed towards cover for a single. 43/4

19.3 D Perera to Plessis, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. 42/4

19.2 D Perera to Bavuma, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen have run through for a single. 42/4

19.1 D Perera to Bavuma, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. 41/4

18.6 R Herath to Plessis, On middle and off, watchfully defended. 41/4

18.5 R Herath to Plessis, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 41/4

18.4 R Herath to Bavuma, Full and outside off, swept through fine leg for a single. 41/4

18.3 R Herath to Bavuma, Outside off, left alone. 40/4

18.2 R Herath to Bavuma, LBW shout, not out. The arm ball, on middle, Bavuma looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. The Lankans roar but are calmed down. No review taken. Oh dear... HAWK EYE shows that to be HITTING LEG STUMP!!! 40/4

18.1 R Herath to Bavuma, WASTE OF A REVIEW. Full and outside off, Bavuma looked to defend but the ball went off his pads to Angelo Mathews at first slip. Now the former skipper was extremely confident and asked Lakmal to go for the review, claiming the catch. Well, replays show clearly, there was no inside edge. They check further for LBW and the impact is outside off. Waste of a review. 40/4

Is that number 5? Sri Lanka feel they have Bavuma caught at slip. Let's see. Another review.

Skipper Faf du Plessis walks in. His 34th birthday. What can he gift himself as a present? May be, batting the whole day, ONCE?

17.6 D Perera to Amla, OUT! Massive inside edge. The master of patience is gone. Flighted around off, Amla comes down the track, looking to defend but the ball goes off his pads and lobs in the air. Kusal Mendis comes in from short leg and takes the catch and claims it but umpire Reiffel shakes his head. He immediately signals to Dickwella to go for the review who communicates that to Lakmal who signals the 'T'. Oh boy... massive inside edge from the first replay. Well done, Kusal. South Africa in a whirlpool of trouble. Still 247 behind. 40/4

Now then, now then. The Lankans are confident that Amla has edged one to short leg.

17.5 Perera to Amla, Howzzat? Not given. Full and outside off, Hashim gets down to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. The Lankans appeal but umpire Reiffel is unmoved. No review taken. Might be spinning too much. 40/3

17.4 D Perera to Amla, More turn, but down the leg side. Amla misses his flick. 40/3

17.3 D Perera to Amla, Turn on this one. A bit short, from outside off, HA stays back and looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. 40/3

17.2 D Perera to Amla, Oohh... sees Hashim jump out and fires this one on the pads. The batsman adjusts and whips it, aerially, just past short leg. Does not carry to square leg. 40/3

17.1 D Perera to Amla, Full and outside off, nice loop, not looking to push it through, Amla gets forward and defends. 40/3

16.6 R Herath to Bavuma, A touch shorter, around off, worked through mid-wicket for a couple. 40/3

16.5 R Herath to Bavuma, Plenty of loop and width on this one, outside off, driven straight to cover. 38/3

16.4 R Herath to Bavuma, Full and outside off, TB plays inside the line this time, only to get beaten. 38/3

16.3 R Herath to Bavuma, Rash. A bit of flight this time, with a bit of spin, outside off, Temba looks to slog but misses. 38/3

16.2 R Herath to Bavuma, Similar ball, but this one turns away a touch, Bavuma pushes it to the off side. 38/3

16.1 R Herath to Bavuma, The arm ball, around off, played from the crease. 38/3

15.6 D Perera to Amla, Full and just outside off, played in front of short leg. 38/3

15.5 D Perera to Amla, Around off, just gripping a touch, flicked towards short mid-wicket. 38/3

15.4 D Perera to Amla, Just outside off, dead-batted by the Mighty Hash. 38/3

15.3 D Perera to Amla, Full and around off, wristed beautifully towards short mid-wicket. 38/3

15.2 D Perera to Amla, Comes down the track, is not quite to the pitch of the ball but pushes it back to Perera. 38/3

15.1 D Perera to Amla, Full and outside off, pushed back to the bowler. 38/3

14.6 R Herath to Amla, A touch short, outside off, punched towards point for a quick un. The throw from the fielder is right over the stumps to the keeper but the runners are quicker. 38/3

14.5 R Herath to H Amla, Floated a bit, pushed towards mid on. 37/3

14.4 R Herath to Amla, Full on off, watchfully defended. 37/3

14.3 R Herath to T Bavuma, Very full outside off, Temba reaches out to drive but gets a bit of an outside edge through point. A single taken. 37/3

14.2 R Herath to Bavuma, Gets down, takes it from off stump and paddles it through fine leg for a couple. 36/3

14.1 R Herath to T Bavuma, Full and outside off, Bavuma stays back to defend but the ball spins away, takes the outside edge but dies down in front of slip. 34/3

13.6 D Perera to H Amla, Full and outside off, Amla lunges to block but gets an outside edge, onto the ground towards first slip. 34/3

13.5 D Perera to Amla, Full and outside off, Hashim looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. 34/3

13.4 D Perera to Amla, FOUR! Second one of the over. Flighted outside off, Amla jumps out and lofts it over mid off this time. 34/3

13.3 D Perera to Amla, This is on off, Hashim stays back to defend, expecting the ball to turn, but it goes straight through and squares him up. Takes the outside edge and goes to point. 30/3

13.2 D Perera to Amla, Full and just outside off, watchfully defended. 30/3

13.1 D Perera to Amla, FOUR! Nice shot. Tossed up outside off, Amla comes down the track and lofts it over mid on for a boundary. The deficit is now 257. Amla moves to 10 from 16 balls. His first boundary. 30/3

12.6 R Herath to Bavuma, FOUR! Gets it again! This is more of a paddle shot, getting it through backward square leg. The stand moves to 13 from 22 balls. 26/3

12.5 R Herath to Bavuma, Full and outside off, Temba looks to drive but gets it off the inner half back to the bowler. 22/3

12.4 R Herath to Bavuma, FOUR! Risky but effective. Herath bowls this full and straight, Bavuma gets down and across, reaches out and sweeps it past short fine leg for a boundary. 22/3

12.3 R Herath to Amla, Full and outside off, Amla comes down the track and drives it through the covers for a single. 18/3

12.2 R Herath to Amla, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 17/3

12.1 R Herath to Amla, Outside off, punched straight to cover. 17/3

11.6 D Perera to Bavuma, Gets down to sweep but misses and is hit on the pad. Impact outside off. 17/3

11.5 D Perera to Bavuma, Full and around off, Temba stretches to defend but gets a thick inside edge on the pitch. 17/3

11.4 D Perera to Bavuma, Beaten. Outside off, Bavuma plays down the wrong line, expecting it to come in with the angle but this holds its line and goes straight past the outside edge. 17/3

11.3 D Perera to Bavuma, Oh my my, calm down Temba. Jumps down the track and pushes this towards mid on and straightaway starts to run, before realizing that he has hit it too well. Has to scurry back. Amla smiles. 17/3

11.2 D Perera to Bavuma, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 17/3

11.1 D Perera to Amla, CHANCE. Full and straight, Amla gets across and looks to whip. The ball goes off the inside edge, hits the pads and goes straight to Dhananjaya de Silva at leg slip. However, he is late in getting down and the ball goes past. A single taken. 17/3

10.6 R Herath to Bavuma, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. 16/3

10.5 R Herath to Bavuma, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 16/3

10.4 R Herath to Bavuma, Tossed up well outside off, Bavuma leans and drives it towards cover. 16/3

10.3 R Herath to Bavuma, Full and outside off, pushed back to the bowler. 16/3

10.2 R Herath to Bavuma, Full and straight, watchfully played. 16/3

10.1 R Herath to H Amla, Driven towards the mid off region. One run added to the total. 16/3

9.6 D Perera to Bavuma, The batsman dances down the track and does well to block the ball. 15/3

9.5 D Perera to Amla, Looks to flick but the ball goes off the inner half through mid-wicket. A run taken. 15/3

9.4 D Perera to Amla, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 14/3

9.3 D Perera to Bavuma, Comes down the track and works it towards mid on for a single. 14/3

Temba Bavuma is the new man in as his side is in complete tatters.

9.2 D Perera to D Elgar, OUT! It is a catch. Elgar has been given out on the field after a bit of a discussion. The replays seem pretty clear. Full on middle, Elgar looked to flick but got a bit of a leading edge or an outside edge, whichever way you look at it - straight to Angelo Mathews at first slip. The doubt here in the mind of the umpire was whether the ball spun away without hitting the edge because both - ball hitting the edge and the willow hitting the ground - happened instantaneously. Big, big blow to the Proteas. Elgar could have done a Karunaratne. South Africa are 3 down for the number which is considered to be unlucky by many, on Friday the 13th. 13/3

Is that out? The umpires are not sure. What is it though?

9.1 D Perera to Elgar, Short and outside off, Elgar misses out, punching it straight to cover. 13/2

8.6 R Herath to Amla, Full and around off, nothing on this one, watchfully kept out. 13/2

8.5 R Herath to Amla, EXTRA BOUNCE. This is from a fuller length around off, Hashim looks to defend by coming forward but suddenly the ball shoots up. He somehow manages to keep it out. 13/2

8.4 R Herath to Amla, Action replay of the previous delivery. 13/2

8.3 R Herath to Amla, Full and outside off, Amla dead-bats it. 13/2

8.2 R Herath to Elgar, Again the reverse sweep, misses it, gets it off the bottom edge towards first slip where Angelo Mathews misfields with a tumble to his left and concedes a single. 13/2

8.1 R Herath to Elgar, Full and outside off, Elgar looks to play the reverse sweep but misses and is hit on the glove. The ball nearly rolls on to the stumps! 12/2

7.6 D Perera to Amla, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 12/2

7.5 D Perera to Elgar, RUN OUT CHANCE, MISSED! Put the blame on Niroshan Dickwella. Full on middle, Elgar came down the track and flicked it towards mid on. Now, skipper Lakmal came charging in to the ball and was about to pick up and throw when some high decibel shouting from Dickwella distracted him. Fumbled. Single completed. 12/2

7.4 D Perera to Elgar, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 11/2

7.3 D Perera to Elgar, Comes down the track, is not quite to the pitch of the ball and defends. 11/2

7.2 D Perera to Elgar, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. 11/2

7.1 D Perera to Elgar, Full and outside off, a bit of flight, let through. 11/2

6.6 R Herath to Amla, Full and wide outside off, Hashim punches this through the covers and helps himself with a couple to get off the mark. 11/2

6.5 R Herath to Amla, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 9/2

6.4 R Herath to Amla, Outside off, punched straight to point. 9/2

The master of patience walks out to bat. Hashim Amla is the name.

6.3 Herath to Maharaj, OUT! LBW! This is a goner. This time Herath is interested and appeals. Up goes the umpire's finger on this occasion. This is the darter on off, Maharaj does not pick it. He thinks it will turn and plays that coming half-forward and pays the price. Is hit on the pads and that is the end of Maharaj. 9/2

6.2 R Herath to Maharaj, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. 9/1

6.1 R Herath to K Maharaj, The arm ball outside off, Maharaj goes back and cuts it straight to point. 9/1

5.6 D Perera to Elgar, Full and around middle, Dean looks to flick but gets a leading edge which does not carry to cover. 9/1

5.5 D Perera to Elgar, Outside off, punched towards cover. 9/1

5.4 D Perera to Elgar, Full and wide outside off, driven straight to cover. 9/1

5.3 D Perera to Elgar, Very straight, watchfully blocked. 9/1

5.2 D Perera to Elgar, Landed around off, defended watchfully. 9/1

5.1 D Perera to Elgar, Full and outside off, pushed towards cover. 9/1

Surprising. Spin from both ends with the new ball. Dilruwan Perera to bowl.

4.6 R Herath to Elgar, Full and outside off, pushed through the off side for a run. 9/1

4.5 R Herath to Elgar, The batsman works it down the leg side. 8/1

4.4 R Herath to Maharaj, Short and outside off, punched through the covers for three. 8/1

4.3 Herath to Maharaj, HUGE, HUGE APPEAL FOR LBW! Herath is not interested, forget the umpire. Landed on middle and leg, Maharaj looks to work it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. The men behind the wickets scream their lungs out but Herath shows his back to them. Well, Hawk Eye shows that to be hitting the stumps! 5/1

4.2 R Herath to Maharaj, Outside off, left alone. 5/1

4.1 R Herath to Elgar, Outside off, punched through the off side for a single. 5/1

The players are out in the middle now. What will start the proceedings? Spin or seam? It is the former to start - Mr. Herath to Mr. Elgar.

Dimuth Karunaratne now has a chat with Roshan Abeysinghe. On his comeback to the side, he says that during recovery from injury, he was with the Sri Lankan 'A' side where he learnt quite a lot of things. On the innings yesterday, he feels he had a tough time initially, but then slowly got confidence as the innings grew longer. Credits that to the time spent with the 'A' team during injury. On the pitch, Dimuth reckons that it is a usual Galle pitch, with some bounce, as was extracted by Rabada and Steyn yesterday but as the game goes on, spinners will come into play. On being asked about opposition bowlers targeting Sri Lankan batsmen with short pitch bowling, Karunaratne accepts the flaw and reckons that they need to play smartly, go through the initial tough periods and then play shots.

Pitch report - Russel Arnold has a look at the track and feels that it is a usual Galle pitch. There is a dark patch which has developed due to the footmarks, primarily that of Shamsi. That is around the fuller length just around off for a right-hander. Other than that, Arnold feels that there is good bounce on the pitch too, which had the Lankans hopping yesterday. Finally, ends by saying that the batsmen will have to grind it out in the middle as it will be a trial by spin.

WEATHER REPORT - 'We hope that it stays sunny all day', says Pommie Mbangwa on air. It is bright and sunny as of now, but you never know in Sri Lanka - clouds come in from nowhere, without any warning.

11 wickets fell on the opening day. South Africa started tremendously after being asked to field but then let loose their grip as the last 2 wickets added 111. Then, with around 20 minutes to go for Stumps, they lost Markram for a duck. A big day beckons for them. How they play spin will define how they fare in this game. Hello and a warm welcome to the second day of the first Test between Sri Lanka and South Africa in Galle.

... DAY 2, SESSION 1 ...

Right then! That ends the action from the opening day of the first Test. After starting strongly, the Proteas have been pegged back. Can they fight back on Day 2? Or will Sri Lanka continue their dominance? Join us at 1000 local (0430 GMT) on Friday for the answers. In the meanwhile, you can also catch all the action from the first England-India ODI and the second Windies-Bangladesh Test. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Kagiso Rabada has a chat with Shaun Pollock. On being asked about his fitness, KG says that he took a break of a month from cricket, got into rehabilitation and then slowly got back to fitness. Stresses that he wanted to take rest primarily and check what could have been triggering his injuries. Says that coming into this Test match, he was not feeling too confident, nor was he feeling too bad. Feels that he was lucky enough to get wickets in his second spell and is glad about the same. Admits that it was quite frustrating that the last two Lankan wickets were difficult to dislodge. On the wicket, he reckons that there is no bad bounce but the ball is already turning. However, he opines that it is not too bad for the seamers, just a bit slow and tacky.

It is always irritating to see off a few balls before the close of play and the visitors lost Markram for a duck. They still have Elgar there and will hope that he does a Karunaratne. 287 does not look too big a score but it now seems huge on this one, which is emitting dust. It was all spin today but wonder whether Lakmal will open the bowling on Friday.

What a day for the Lankans. They leave the field with smiles across everyone's face. For two-thirds of the day, the Proteas were all over the home side. But in those last 2 hours of Thursday, they have turned it around.

3.6 D Perera to Maharaj, Around off, defended solidly. STUMPS ON DAY 1, SOUTH AFRICA TRAIL BY 283! 4/1

3.5 D Perera to Maharaj, Outside off, Keshav looks to drive but the ball goes beneath his bat and spins off something towards leg slip. 4/1

3.4 D Perera to Maharaj, Around off, defended back to the bowler. 4/1

3.3 D Perera to Maharaj, Wide down the leg side, No trouble at all for the batsman. 4/1

3.2 D Perera to Elgar, Full and down the leg side, Elgar tickles it fine and the ball nearly goes all the way, stopping near the ropes. Three runs taken. 4/1

3.1 D Perera to Elgar, Full and outside off, Elgar smothers the spin. 1/1

2.6 R Herath to Maharaj, Landed outside off, sorry. Does not land before the batsman at all. A full toss, beyond the stumps, Maharaj lets it go and the keeper stops it with his legs. 1/1

2.5 R Herath to Maharaj, Full and outside off, defended watchfully. 1/1

Keshav Maharaj comes in as the night watchman for the first time in his Test career. He has never batted above number 8 until tonight.

2.4 R Herath to A Markram, OUT! South Africa do not survive the day without any damage. Beautifully tossed up outside off, Markram is forced to play at that. The ball lands, generates a puff of dust around that area, kicks off, spins away, takes the outside edge and goes towards first slip. Angelo Mathews at first slip dives to his right and pouches it safely. 1/1

2.3 R Herath to Markram, Goes back in his crease and blocks. 1/0

2.2 R Herath to Markram, Around off, watchfully defended. 1/0

2.1 R Herath to Markram, Full and outside off, Markram looks to drive but gets an inside edge back to the bowler. 1/0

1.6 D Perera to Elgar, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 1/0

1.5 D Perera to Elgar, Full and down the leg side, Elgar looks to flick but misses. The ball goes off his pads towards slip and there is an LBW but negated. Going down leg. 1/0

1.4 D Perera to Elgar, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 1/0

1.3 D Perera to Elgar, Pushes it back to the bowler. 1/0

1.2 D Perera to Elgar, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 1/0

1.1 D Perera to D Elgar, Full and outside off, driven towards mid off. 1/0

0.6 R Herath to Markram, Outside off, left alone. 1 over survived. 1/0

0.5 R Herath to Markram, Full and outside off, Markram looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. 1/0

Who will it be from the other end? A spinner? A seamer? The former. Dilruwan Perera has the ball.

0.4 R Herath to Markram, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 1/0

0.3 R Herath to Elgar, A full toss, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. 1/0

0.2 R Herath to Elgar, Down the leg side, Dean struggles to get this away, slips, loses his balance, but somehow, manages to stay in the crease. 0/0

0.1 R Herath to Elgar, Full and around off, Elgar defends. 0/0