Quinton de Kock scored his 17th half-century as the Proteas took a total of 185-7 into tea on day one at St George’s Park. KHALID MOHIDIN reports.
The Proteas’ top-order showed no improvement from the previous Test as they flopped again.
It once again was left to one batsman to bail the side out, as the Proteas took a total of 73-4 into lunch.
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Aiden Markram continued his form from before lunch and played an uncharacteristically slow knock, but it was necessary given the circumstances. Markram managed 60 from 116 balls before he was trapped lbw as the Proteas were knocked five down for 130 runs.
The batten was now passed to the first Test batting hero De Kock who was left with the tail after debutant Wiaan Mulder was trapped lbw after playing two beautiful fours for his nine.
Keshav Maharaj lasted five balls before he was dismissed for a duck after the Proteas had just crept past the 150-run mark.
Rabada’s job was to survive, while De Kock aimed to farm the strike as much as he could.
De Kock finished on 68 off 72 balls, while Rabada contributed eight off 44 balls.
Vishwa Fernando (2-42) and Kasun Rajitha (3-54) were key to Sri Lanka’s dominance. Sri Lanka will aim to wrap up the hosts after the break and are in pole position to do so.
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
