Sri Lanka v South Africa - Official First Test Match Thread

[adamberry]

The first Test Match between Sri Lanka and South Africa starts today.

Sri Lanka are without Chaminda Vaas for this match with a hamstring injury - story, as well as Michael Vandort, who's been dropped after some recent poor performances.

Kumar Sangakkara has been relieved of his wicket-keeping duties, with Prasanna Jayawardene taking over the gloves leaving Sangakkara to concentrate on his batting.

South Africa are skippered for the first time in a Test match by Ashwell Prince, it will be interesting to see how he takes to the task and how he imposes his authority on his side. They are without Kallis, Pollock and Smith, but are still expected to play attacking cricket.

The weather is likely to play a big part in this match - heavy showers are forecast for the next few days, so a draw is most likely IMO.

[John]

Hopefully the players will take advantage of Vaas. It creates a good oppotunity for the underperforming SA batting lineup.

[adamberry]

Well Sri Lanka have the advantage after day 1. They bowled South Africa out for 169, with only AB de Villiers offering any resistance to the Sri Lankan bowlers. Murali and Dilhara Fernando took four wickets each.

Sri Lanka lost the two opener Jayasuriya and Tharanga cheaply but 50's from Jayawardene and Sangakkara have steadied the ship.

Interesting to see that Andrew Hall was chosen to open with Herschelle Gibbs; I'd have thought it wiser to stick someone more suited to that position (de Villiers for example) in instead. Whether it was Ashwell Prince's decision or the selectors I don't know, but it didn't really work for them.

[John]

South Africa being humilated at the moment. No wickets down this morning and defeat looms larger every minute. Better luck next Test.

[John]

We've got them on the rack. Get one of these two out and we are through to the middle order.

[Vrock]

Double centuries for both Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jaywardene, 229* and 224* respectively, has given Sri Lanka a lead of 316 runs in the first innings. So few maidens from the bowlers shows they are either straying in line or the two batsmen at the crease are in superb touch. I'd have a stab, in reading the cricinfo bulletin, that the latter is the more correct.

It's going to be a big fight for a draw for South Africa, Sri Lanka will want to bat for most of tomorrow and give themselves two days to bowl out South Africa - this will be a tough one for South Africa to survive.

[Collyisamackem]

It's absolutely amazing. A world record partenership for the third wicket, still 470-odd and unbeaten. Seems England have bowled Jayawardene and co into the form of their lives!

[batoutofhell]

I expected atleast a respectable display of batting and bowling from south africa
but sofar they look very much of their shadows
both ntini and nel looks jaded
only bowler who is somewhat containing the mahela and sanga is boje(but still not very effective in breaking the mammoth partnership)
now i am getting news from Tensports that Gibbs may not open the second innings due to viral fever
its bad to worse for the proteas
they desperately need some inspiration from their top order in the second innings if at all they want avoid a innings defeat in the hands of lankan bowlers
onlything that could save south africa now is a heavy rain for 3 daysfrom nowonwards

[greg]

Looks like Jayawardene could set a new individual record score,he is currently 355*.

The partnership between Jayawardene and Sangakkara ended up at 624 when Sangakkara was out for 285.

[John]

At least they won't have to bowl in the 2nd innings. They need a good long rest the SA players.