By Brian Thomas
Temba Bavuma, the South African captain, had no hesitation in opting to bat on a breezy, slightly overcast condition at St George’s Park this morning.
Protease will have mixed feelings at their effort, but the loss of 4 scalps in the 3rd and final session will linger as an opportunity lost.
Asitha Fernando, with a leg stump yorker that kept low, had opener Tony De Zori Lbw with before South Africa could open their account.
Aiden Markram batting on 20 was Lahiru Kumara”s first victim when he faltered, trying an expansive drive that dipped in with pace to disturb his timber with the protease total on 32.
Home grown player Tristan Stubbs and centurion of the first Test played an appaling 4th stump delivery from Lahiru Kumara fishing at a back of a length delivery only to edge a simple catch to wicket keeper Kusal Mendis Protease score on 44 for 3 Wickets added a spring in body language of the visitors who indicated that they would have bowled first on this pitch.
Temba Bavuma, the inform South African skipper who joined Ryan Rickelton, batted at number 3 with a highest test score of 42 in his previous outings with limited opportunities of only 8 test innings stiched 133 partnership with his skipper .
Just before the tea break, Temba Bavuma, the run maker in this series so far, was caught off a short delivery from Asitha Fernando after he compiled 78 runs to be caught by Kusal Mendis who looks excellent with the gloves.
David Beddington batting at number 6 survived two drop chances off Asitha Fernando, the first by Vishwa Fernando and the second by Dinesh Chandimal. Both opportunities can be determined as sitters at this level.
Sri Lanka will thank their lucky stars before a Jayasuriya slow left arm slider got him playing the wrong line to be bowled for 6 runs with the Protease total on 186.
Kyle Verrynbe the South African wicket keeper, batted with great composure and stiched by making amends with a valuable partnership of 79 runs for the 6th wicket before centurion Ryan Rickleton who made 101 runs his maiden test century was caught off a second new ball delivery by Lahiru Kumara. Hence, his long vigil ended with South Africa on 263.
Man of the match in the recently concluded 1st Test Marco Jansen became the first victim of Viswa Fernando when he had him bowled for 4 runs and the end result being South Africa ending day 1 on 269 for 7 wickets with Kyle Verrynine batting on 48.
Sri Lankan bowling figures looked good reading. Kumara 3 for 54 , Vishwa Fernando 1 for 46 , Asitha Fernando 2 for 67 , with Prabath Jayasuriya a tireless effort bowling 28 overs on day 1 with 1 scalp for 74 runs.
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