SA strike after de Kock ton builds substantial total

Tea Sri Lanka 56 for 2 (Karunaratne 24*, de Silva 0*) trail South Africa 392 (Elgar 129, de Kock 101, Kumara 6-122) by 336 runsLive scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Quinton de Kock secured his third Test century as South Africa built a strong position in the second Test in Cape Town. They were dismissed in a slightly extended morning session for 392 before Sri Lanka’s top order attempted to muster stubborn resistance.

De Kock, who made 101, was one of six wickets for the unflinching young Sri Lanka quick Lahiru Kumara who proved himself in only his third Test to be a combative bowler of genuine promise.

Sri Lanka’s survived against the new ball, but such staunch beginnings did not last until tea. Kaushal Silva was bowled by Kagiso Rabada off an inside edge and then Kusal Mendis, who had met the introduction of the left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj by slog-sweeping him for six, envisaged a repeat in his next over and top-edged a simple catch to point.

South Africa were grateful for that because they had found conditions less responsive than they had hoped. The Newlands pitch seemed to be quietening a tad and, with the flags stiffening in a strong and gusty breeze, there was little swing to be had.

There was no doubt who was centre of attention in South Africa’s line-up as they reflected upon news on ESPNcricinfo that Kyle Abbott is agonising over whether to abandon his international career and take up a deal in England with Hampshire as a …

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