South Africa goes 1-0 up after 206-run win

Kyle Abbott struck the early decisive blows to set up a 206-run win for South Africa on the fifth day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at St George’s Park.

It took South Africa just 70 minutes and 13.3 overs on Friday (December 30) to claim the remaining five Sri Lankan wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Sri Lanka was bowled out for 281, adding just 41 runs to the overnight score of 240 for 5.

Abbott dismissed Angelo Mathews, the Sri Lanka captain, for 59 in the third over of the day, and Dhananjaya de Silva (22) followed four overs later. Both were dismissed leg before wicket by deliveries that would have hit the top of offstump.

Rangana Herath, who was struck on the index finger of his left, bowling hand by the first ball he faced from Abbott, made three before he was caught and bowled by Vernon Philander, who dived to his left to hold the ball which looped up from a leading edge.

Suranga Lakmal made a quick 19 not out, but Dushmantha Chameera was caught behind off Kagiso Rabada, and Nuwan Pradeep was bowled by Keshav Maharaj, the left-arm spinner. Rabada finished with 3 for 77 and Maharaj took 3 for 86, while Abbott’s spell of 2 for 7 in five overs on Friday enabled him to finish with 2 for 38.

(Courtesy: International Cricket Council)