Faf du Plessis hit a career-best 199 as South Africa thrived in the first Test against injury-stricken Sri Lanka, with a massive first-inning score of 621 and a 160 lead on Monday’s third day.
Sri Lanka closed 65 for two in their second inning with Kusal Mendis (33 not out) and Dinesh Chandimal (21 not out) in the area, but they are effectively five wickets less with team officials revealing that Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara yy Dhananjaya de Silva doesn’t hit. There is also concern for Chandimal, who needed treatment on his thigh and looked somewhat uncomfortable.
Local closer Lungi Ngidi (2-28) picked up both wickets to fall, bowling captain Dimuth Karunaratne (6) with a delivery that stayed low, before Kusal Mendis (0) slipped. Du Plessis missed a major milestone with poor shot selection when he tried to lift Wanindu Hasaranga (4-171) midway, but instead offered a simple catch to Karunaratne. He faced 276 balls and hit 24 fours, a masterful demonstration of hitting on terrain that was not easy for hitters with variable rhythm and rebound.
Sri Lanka had worked hard on the field as injuries severely hampered their bowling attack, with sailor Rajitha handling only 2.1 overs, his fast partner Kumara forced an early start and Hasaranga limping after a sliding save on the edge. The innings had started without spinner De Silva, who suffered a thigh injury while hitting and has been ruled out for two weeks.
South Africa had resumed with 317 for four, with Du Plessis and Temba Bavuma (71) sharing a record fifth-field position for the team against Sri Lanka of 179. It was broken under strange circumstances when Bavuma left the field following an appeal for trapped behind. The umpire didn’t give him away, and replays suggested he had missed the ball by a good inch.
Du Plessis also posted a seventh-place record against Sri Lanka of 133 with Keshav Maharaj (73), who reached his highest score on the test before being the last batsman out. South Africa have added fast bowler Kagiso Rabada to their squad for the second and final round that begins in Johannesburg on January 3.
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