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Abbott, Philander strike back after SA fold for 286
- Updated: December 27, 2016
Lunch: Sri Lanka 37 for 3 (Silva 12*, Mathews 5*, Abbott 2-13) trail South Africa 286 (Duminy 63, Cook 59, Lakmal 5-63) by 249 runsLive scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Seven wickets fell on a seamers’ morning in Port Elizabeth as South Africa hit back strongly after being bowled out for 286 in the first Test against Sri Lanka. On a green pitch now full of indentations from the ball striking the surface, Sri Lanka went to lunch 37 for 3 in their reply, with Kaushal Silva and Angelo Mathews, perhaps their tightest pair in terms of technique, at the crease.
Resuming on 267 for 6, South Africa’s innings only lasted a furtjer 8.5 overs as Suranga Lakmal, who bowled fuller and more accurately than Sri Lanka’s other two frontline quicks, completed a maiden five-for in Test cricket. Then South Africa’s new-ball bowlers, Kyle Abbott and Vernon Philander, bowled that Lakmal length relentlessly, moved the ball all over the place, and had Sri Lanka three down in eight overs.
All three Sri Lankan wickets came from avoidable shots, but they …
