South Africa start the series with a big win
South Africa registered a convincing win over Sri Lanka, in 1st Test match, at Port Elizabeth on Friday. South African Captain Faf du Plessis won the coin toss and elected to bat first.
After they won the toss South Africa off to a solid start and they made 104 runs partnership for the first wicket. Stephen Cook(59) and JP Duminy(63) contributed with half centuries. Every batsman got a start but no one able to convert them to big score. After a big opening partnership South African couldn’t made decent score in 1st Innings. They bowled out for 286 runs. while in the bowling department, it was Suranga Lakmal, who claimed his maiden five wickets haul in Test Matches.
In reply that Sri Lanka all out for 205 runs. Sri Lankan top order collapsed once again. Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal did some repair work but it wasn’t enough. Sri Lankan Bowled out 81 runs behind in 64.5 overs. Vernon Philander took 5 wickets for 45 runs.
South Africa started their 2nd Innings with lead of 81 runs. Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar again build a 116 runs partnership for the first wicket. Dean Elgar(52) and Quinton de Kock(69) contributed with half centuries. For South Africa, it was Stephen Cook, who was the top scorer with 117 runs. Eventually South African decided to declare their innings after the dismissal of Quinton de Kock. They made 406 runs for lost of 6 wickets and skipper Faf du Plessis stayed on not out on 67. South Africa set a target of 488 runs to chase for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan batsman came out chassed a big target that Soth Africa was set. Sri Lankan openers did good job and made 87 runs partnership for the 1st wicket. Top order batsman get the start but they couldn’t play a big inning that Sri Lanka wanted. Kusal Mendis(58) and Angelo Mathews(59) made half- Centuries. However Sri Lanka fall 206 runs short and it clam 201 runs victory for the South Africa. Stephen Cook named as player of the match for his 59 and 117 runs in both innings.
Match Summary – Sri Lanka vs South Africa : 1st Test
South Africa won by 206 runs
South Africa 1st Innings – 286 (98.5)
JP Duminy – 63(95) | S Cook – 59(125) | S Lakmal – 5/63
Sri Lanka 1st Innings – 205 (64.5)
D de Silva – 43(70) | A Mathews – 39(69) | Philander – 5/45
South Africa 2nd Innings -406/6d (90.5)
S Cook – 117(178) | Q de Kock – 69(86) | D de Silva – 2/91
Sri Lanka 2nd Innings – 281 (96.3)
A Mathews – 59(120) | K Mendis – 58(90) | Maharaj – 3/86
