Right then! Just 20.4 overs of play on Day 1 and there will be extension on the remaining days to cover up Wednesday's loss of play. The first two sessions on the remaining days will be extended by 15 minutes apiece while the last session will have the addon of the half hour. South Africa will look to build on this Bavuma-Verreyne stand while Sri Lanka will be looking to keep picking up wickets. Both teams were looking to get a good start in the series but the rains had other plans yet
UPDATE - 01.45 pm GMT - That's it from Day 1 of this Test match as the officials confirm that there can be no play possible further today. Relentless rain in Durban, which arrived just before lunch, has never allowed the players to return to the field. Day 1 is called off!
UPDATE - 12.30 pm GMT - There is only a chance of 20 more overs to happen in the time left for the day and it's still raining heavily at Kingsmead. Puddles have formed at various positions in the outfield. The waiting game is on and the chances of the game to start today are getting slimmer by the passing minute. Let's see what happens.
UPDATE - 11.59 am GMT -Â It's getting close to Tea now, but the rain is relentless in Durban. There is some thunder and lightning as well which are not good signs at all. We are surely not getting any action in the second session, and the chances of getting any more play also look pretty bleak here.
UPDATE - 11.29 am GMT - Still no positive news from the middle! It is still raining in Durban and we have lost more than 1.5 hours with the conditions still looking pretty gloomy. The forecast for the rest of the days is decent, but both teams will need to fight it hard to force a result because a draw won't help either. Stay tuned for more updates.
UPDATE - 10.52 am GMT - The rain is playing hide and seek with us! It did go away for some time, giving us a glimmer of hope, but it has come back on again with more intensity. The waiting game continues...
UPDATE - 10.25 am GMT - Well, there is nothing new to update about, but the rain has steadied down a bit in Durban. However, looking at the skies, the signs are not looking very positive here. All we can do is hope.Â
UPDATE - 10.07 am GMT - Uh..oh! The second session should have been underway by now, but the rain has gotten heavier during the break. All the covers are firmly on and we are in for a longer break than we expected. Stick with us for more news.
As play resumes after the rain-interrupted session, the hosts will look to Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne to rebuild. For now, it's Sri Lanka who head into Lunch brimming with confidence after a stellar start. If there is no more rain during the break and the outfield is ready, the second session will begin around 10.06 am GMT. However, with all the rain forecasted throughout the day, it could be a stop-start kind of day. So, just keep an eye here as we will be providing regular updates.
The day began with high drama as South Africa lost both openers within the first three overs, leaving them reeling early on. The pair of Tristan Stubbs and captain Temba Bavuma then took on the responsibility of steadying the ship. Bavuma, benefiting from two lives, displayed resilience and remains unbeaten on 28 at the break. Stubbs appeared to have found his rhythm but was undone by a sharp delivery from Lahiru Kumara, who claimed him just as he seemed set. Kumara struck again shortly after,
LUNCH! SESSION SUMMARY - 20.4 overs, 4 wickets and 80 runs. The opening session of this Test match at Kingsmead, Durban, has firmly belonged to Sri Lanka. Under overcast skies, their seam bowlers took full advantage of the conditions, delivering a masterclass in Test match bowling. At the lunch break, South Africa finds themselves struggling at 80/4, a testament to Sri Lanka's relentless attack.
The rain gods have finally shown their presence and the players and the umpires walk off the field right at the brink of LUNCH!
Vishwa Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Pitched up and on middle and off, Kyle Verreynne keeps it out to the off side.
Vishwa Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Good length and around off, angling away, Kyle Verreynne leaves it alone.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Touch fuller and on middle, Temba Bavuma clips it through square leg for a single.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Four!
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Fuller but way outside off, angles further away, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone. Wided.
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, ! Classy shot! Much fuller from Lahiru Kumara, on middle, Kyle Verreynne presents the full face of the bat and drives it beautifully past the bowler for a boundary.
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, Short of a length and well outside off, shaping away, Kyle Verreynne leaves it alone.
Lahiru Kumara to Temba Bavuma, Overpitched and on middle, Temba Bavuma drives it off the inside half of the bat through mid on for three runs.
Lahiru Kumara to Temba Bavuma, No ball!
Lahiru Kumara to Temba Bavuma, Four!
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, Short of a length and on off, Kyle Verreynne dabs it down to point.
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, Four!
Asitha Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Errs in line and lands this on a length but down the leg side, this one does not bounce that much. Kyle Verreynne leaves it alone and Kusal Mendis dives to his left but fails to collect it cleanly. A bye is taken.
Asitha Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Short of a length and on off, Kyle Verreynne stays back and dabs it to point.
Asitha Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Good-length delivery just around off, shaping away sharply, Kyle Verreynne leaves it alone.
Asitha Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Pitched up, on middle, angling into the pads, Kyle Verreynne clips it to square leg.
The breeze getting steady and there is a bit of rain in the air already. We might get an early break if this continues!
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, 1 run.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Fuller in length and around off, shaping away, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone.
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, No run.
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, Oh..so close!
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, BEAUTY! Lahiru Kumara serves this a bit fuller and just around off, gets it to shape away, Kyle Verreynne gets forward and has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, On a length and on middle, angling in, Kyle Verreynne nudges it to square leg. It is also called a No Ball for overstepping.
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, Hard length and in that channel outside off, Kyle Verreynne offers no shot at it.
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, No run.
Kyle Verreynne walks out to bat now with the floodlights on and the ground getting covered with clouds.
Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, ! BOWLED'EM! Absolute peach of a delivery and Lahiru Kumara strikes again!
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Full again from wide of the crease that time, on the sixth stump line, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone. It takes off behind the stumps as Kusal Mendis takes it near his head.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Pitches it up, on middle, nips away a shy bit, Temba Bavuma almost gets squared up but manages to push it to covers.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Hard length and on middle, Temba Bavuma stays back and tucks it to short mid-wicket.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, ! Lovely shot! Asitha Fernando goes a bit too fuller in search of swing, on off, Temba Bavuma leans onto his drive nicely and creams it through covers for a boundary.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Good length and on off, shaping away, Temba Bavuma guides it towards point.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Fuller one and on middle, angling in, Temba Bavuma knocks it towards mid on.
Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, On a length and on middle, angling in, David Bedingham nudges it to mid-wicket.
Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, ! WOW! Nice drive for a boundary at wide of dee point.Â
Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, No run.
Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, No run.
Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, Nicely bowled to the new batter on the crease. Good length, shapes in, around middle, David Bedingham gets a thick outside edge that falls ahead of second slip.Â
David Bedingham walks out to bat.
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, ! EDGED AND GONE! Excellent comeback from Lahiru Kumara! Tristan Stubbs was not happy with the sightscreen just before this delivery and maybe lost his focus, which led to his downfall here.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Another full delivery, on the sixth stump line, holds its line, Temba Bavuma offers no shot at it. Back-to-back maidens from Angelo Mathews!
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Hard length and on off, shaping in again, Temba Bavuma moves across to block but misses again to get hit high on the pads.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Fuller delivery around off, shaping a long way away, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone.
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, Four!
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, ! Top shot! Third boundary of the over!
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, Four!
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, Goes a bit fuller now, on off, Tristan Stubbs strides out and pushes it to short covers.
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, Much better! He lands this on a good length and on the fifth stump line, Tristan Stubbs stays back and pats it to short cover. Oh..no! It is called a No Ball for overstepping.
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, 4 Leg byes.
Change from both ends as Lahiru Kumara replaces Vishwa Fernando now.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, MAIDEN OVER! Much fuller, on off, gets it to nip back in sharply, Temba Bavuma looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball goes nowhere.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Fuller again and in that channel outside off, moves away, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Touch fuller, on off, shaping in this time, Temba Bavuma strides out to push it away but gets an inside edge towards square leg.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Angelo Mathews starts with a good-length delivery around off, shaping further away, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone.
Change of gloves for Temba Bavuma.
Drinks! Sri Lanka's hour as they have exploited the overcast conditions perfectly. Both the Fernando's have picked up a wicket each and have made life difficult for the batters. South Africa have steadied the ship a bit through Tristan Stubbs and Temba Bavuma, but surviving the deadly spells is getting more and more difficult. An exciting phase of cricket awaits us.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Ends with short of length around the leg stump, Tristan Stubbs tucks it to wide of short mid-wicket from the back foot.Â
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Nice confident defence from Tristan Stubbs under his eyes. Hard length around middle, Tristan Stubbs comes forward and shows full face of the bat.Â
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Shorter than good length, outside off, Tristan Stubbs lets it go to the keeper.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, 1 run.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Same length outside off, Temba Bavuma sees it through to the keeper.Â
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Runs in hard and bowls a hard length outside off, Temba Bavuma gets beaten on the outside edge in trying to defend it.Â
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, On the pads, nipping into the right-hander from a good length. Tristan Stubbs flicks the ball straight to mid-wicket to end the over.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, On a good length just outside off. Tristan Stubbs takes a small foot out and lets the ball go.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Much fuller but still away from the off stump. Tristan Stubbs takes the foot out and lets the ball go though.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Just short outside off and Tristan Stubbs waves arms at it covering the line of the stumps.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Swings the ball away from over the wicket outside off. Tristan Stubbs sees the ball through to the wicket keeper.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Good length ball on the pads from over the wicket. Tristan Stubbs tucks it to mid-wicket.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, 3 runs.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Four!
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Four!
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
The sun is out now. Hopefully, the dark clouds stay away like this and we get a full day's of play.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Ends with a good length ball outside off, Temba Bavuma gets beaten on the outside edge from the front foot.Â
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, 1 run.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Hard length from over the wicket around middle, Temba Bavuma tucks it to square leg.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Back of a length outside off, Temba Bavuma blocks it off.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, On the length swinging away. Tristan Stubbs takes a good front foot out and sees it through.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Just short outside off. Tristan Stubbs stays back and drops it down to point.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Nagging length on the stumps, straight with the angle. Tristan Stubbs taps it down to square leg.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Left alone outside off. Length ball swinging away from Asitha Fernando and Tristan Stubbs sees it through.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Hits the length hard on the stumps and gets the ball to nip back in. Tristan Stubbs blocks the ball from the crease and gets an inside edge to square leg.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Much fuller but away from off. Tristan Stubbs leaves the ball off the front foot.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Much fuller angling on the off stump. Temba Bavuma flicks the ball straight to mid-wicket off the front foot.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Fuller on the pads, Tristan Stubbs leans and flicks it to deep fine for a single.Â
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Tristan Stubbs isn't judging the line very carefully here. On a length around the leg stump, shapes in, Tristan Stubbs gets hit on the pad trying to work it away and again a small appeal for LBW but it is going down leg.Â
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Yet to get off the mark, Tristan Stubbs wears another ball on the front pads but it looks to be pitching outside the leg stump line on a good length.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Much fuller and on the off stump. Tristan Stubbs offers a solid front foot defence to drop the ball down.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Starts with a good length around the leg stump, Tristan Stubbs gets beaten on the inside edge and the ball gets hit on the pad. A mild appeal for LBW but it is clearly down the leg.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Ends the over with a good length delivery just outside the off stump and Temba Bavuma blocks it off the front foot straight to point.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Holds the length back outside off. Temba Bavuma does not offer a shot.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Swings the ball up fuller on the off stump line. Temba Bavuma taps it off the front foot towards covers.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Off the mark straight away! Length ball on the off stump from around the wicket. Temba Bavuma drops it infront of covers and runs a single..
Temba Bavuma comes out to the middle now.
Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, ! c Kamindu Mendis b Vishwa Fernando.
Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, No run.
Tristan Stubbs walks out to bat at number 3.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, ! c Angelo Mathews b Asitha Fernando.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, Left alone outside off stump by Aiden Markram. Length ball away from the off stump does no hard to the batter.
Asitha Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, Bye.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, Drops the length back on the off stump. Aiden Markram drops it to the left of point with soft hands and runs a single off the misfield by the fielder.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, ! Tony de Zorzi is off the mark sticky, but he will take the four runs.
Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, Fuller on the fifth stump line, swinging away. Tony de Zorzi covers the line of the stumps and lets it go though.
Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, Good away swing outside the off stump from a much fuller length. Tony de Zorzi takes the front foot out and leaves it to the wicketkeeper.
Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to share the attack.
Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, ! TWO IN TWO!Â
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, Four!
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, Runs in hard from over the wicket angle and pitches the ball on the good length straight away getting the shape away from the batter outside off. Aiden Markram covers the line of the stumps and sees it through to get things underway.
All in readiness for this crucial first Test to begin! Sri Lanka won an important toss earlier and chose to bowl first under overcast conditions without any surprises. Rain could be a big threat throughout Day 1 but for now, the players are out in the middle. Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi are the two openers for South Africa.
South Africa (Playing XI) - Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (C), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada.
6
Diabytes
South Africa
80/4(20.4 Overs)
Right then! Just 20.4 overs of play on Day 1 and there will be extension on the remaining days to cover up Wednesday's loss of play. The first two sessions on the remaining days will be extended by 15 minutes apiece while the last session will have the addon of the half hour. South Africa will look to build on this Bavuma-Verreyne stand while Sri Lanka will be looking to keep picking up wickets. Both teams were looking to get a good start in the series but the rains had other plans yet
UPDATE - 01.45 pm GMT - That's it from Day 1 of this Test match as the officials confirm that there can be no play possible further today. Relentless rain in Durban, which arrived just before lunch, has never allowed the players to return to the field. Day 1 is called off!
UPDATE - 12.30 pm GMT - There is only a chance of 20 more overs to happen in the time left for the day and it's still raining heavily at Kingsmead. Puddles have formed at various positions in the outfield. The waiting game is on and the chances of the game to start today are getting slimmer by the passing minute. Let's see what happens.
UPDATE - 11.59 am GMT -Â It's getting close to Tea now, but the rain is relentless in Durban. There is some thunder and lightning as well which are not good signs at all. We are surely not getting any action in the second session, and the chances of getting any more play also look pretty bleak here.
UPDATE - 11.29 am GMT - Still no positive news from the middle! It is still raining in Durban and we have lost more than 1.5 hours with the conditions still looking pretty gloomy. The forecast for the rest of the days is decent, but both teams will need to fight it hard to force a result because a draw won't help either. Stay tuned for more updates.
UPDATE - 10.52 am GMT - The rain is playing hide and seek with us! It did go away for some time, giving us a glimmer of hope, but it has come back on again with more intensity. The waiting game continues...
UPDATE - 10.25 am GMT - Well, there is nothing new to update about, but the rain has steadied down a bit in Durban. However, looking at the skies, the signs are not looking very positive here. All we can do is hope.Â
UPDATE - 10.07 am GMT - Uh..oh! The second session should have been underway by now, but the rain has gotten heavier during the break. All the covers are firmly on and we are in for a longer break than we expected. Stick with us for more news.
As play resumes after the rain-interrupted session, the hosts will look to Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne to rebuild. For now, it's Sri Lanka who head into Lunch brimming with confidence after a stellar start. If there is no more rain during the break and the outfield is ready, the second session will begin around 10.06 am GMT. However, with all the rain forecasted throughout the day, it could be a stop-start kind of day. So, just keep an eye here as we will be providing regular updates.
The day began with high drama as South Africa lost both openers within the first three overs, leaving them reeling early on. The pair of Tristan Stubbs and captain Temba Bavuma then took on the responsibility of steadying the ship. Bavuma, benefiting from two lives, displayed resilience and remains unbeaten on 28 at the break. Stubbs appeared to have found his rhythm but was undone by a sharp delivery from Lahiru Kumara, who claimed him just as he seemed set. Kumara struck again shortly after,
LUNCH! SESSION SUMMARY - 20.4 overs, 4 wickets and 80 runs. The opening session of this Test match at Kingsmead, Durban, has firmly belonged to Sri Lanka. Under overcast skies, their seam bowlers took full advantage of the conditions, delivering a masterclass in Test match bowling. At the lunch break, South Africa finds themselves struggling at 80/4, a testament to Sri Lanka's relentless attack.
The rain gods have finally shown their presence and the players and the umpires walk off the field right at the brink of LUNCH!
Vishwa Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Pitched up and on middle and off, Kyle Verreynne keeps it out to the off side.
Vishwa Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Good length and around off, angling away, Kyle Verreynne leaves it alone.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Touch fuller and on middle, Temba Bavuma clips it through square leg for a single.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Four!
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Fuller but way outside off, angles further away, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone. Wided.
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, ! Classy shot! Much fuller from Lahiru Kumara, on middle, Kyle Verreynne presents the full face of the bat and drives it beautifully past the bowler for a boundary.
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, Short of a length and well outside off, shaping away, Kyle Verreynne leaves it alone.
Lahiru Kumara to Temba Bavuma, Overpitched and on middle, Temba Bavuma drives it off the inside half of the bat through mid on for three runs.
Lahiru Kumara to Temba Bavuma, No ball!
Lahiru Kumara to Temba Bavuma, Four!
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, Short of a length and on off, Kyle Verreynne dabs it down to point.
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, Four!
Asitha Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Errs in line and lands this on a length but down the leg side, this one does not bounce that much. Kyle Verreynne leaves it alone and Kusal Mendis dives to his left but fails to collect it cleanly. A bye is taken.
Asitha Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Short of a length and on off, Kyle Verreynne stays back and dabs it to point.
Asitha Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Good-length delivery just around off, shaping away sharply, Kyle Verreynne leaves it alone.
Asitha Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Pitched up, on middle, angling into the pads, Kyle Verreynne clips it to square leg.
The breeze getting steady and there is a bit of rain in the air already. We might get an early break if this continues!
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, 1 run.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Fuller in length and around off, shaping away, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone.
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, No run.
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, Oh..so close!
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, BEAUTY! Lahiru Kumara serves this a bit fuller and just around off, gets it to shape away, Kyle Verreynne gets forward and has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, On a length and on middle, angling in, Kyle Verreynne nudges it to square leg. It is also called a No Ball for overstepping.
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, Hard length and in that channel outside off, Kyle Verreynne offers no shot at it.
Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, No run.
Kyle Verreynne walks out to bat now with the floodlights on and the ground getting covered with clouds.
Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, ! BOWLED'EM! Absolute peach of a delivery and Lahiru Kumara strikes again!
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Full again from wide of the crease that time, on the sixth stump line, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone. It takes off behind the stumps as Kusal Mendis takes it near his head.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Pitches it up, on middle, nips away a shy bit, Temba Bavuma almost gets squared up but manages to push it to covers.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Hard length and on middle, Temba Bavuma stays back and tucks it to short mid-wicket.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, ! Lovely shot! Asitha Fernando goes a bit too fuller in search of swing, on off, Temba Bavuma leans onto his drive nicely and creams it through covers for a boundary.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Good length and on off, shaping away, Temba Bavuma guides it towards point.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Fuller one and on middle, angling in, Temba Bavuma knocks it towards mid on.
Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, On a length and on middle, angling in, David Bedingham nudges it to mid-wicket.
Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, ! WOW! Nice drive for a boundary at wide of dee point.Â
Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, No run.
Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, No run.
Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, Nicely bowled to the new batter on the crease. Good length, shapes in, around middle, David Bedingham gets a thick outside edge that falls ahead of second slip.Â
David Bedingham walks out to bat.
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, ! EDGED AND GONE! Excellent comeback from Lahiru Kumara! Tristan Stubbs was not happy with the sightscreen just before this delivery and maybe lost his focus, which led to his downfall here.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Another full delivery, on the sixth stump line, holds its line, Temba Bavuma offers no shot at it. Back-to-back maidens from Angelo Mathews!
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Hard length and on off, shaping in again, Temba Bavuma moves across to block but misses again to get hit high on the pads.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Fuller delivery around off, shaping a long way away, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone.
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, Four!
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, ! Top shot! Third boundary of the over!
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, Four!
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, Goes a bit fuller now, on off, Tristan Stubbs strides out and pushes it to short covers.
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, Much better! He lands this on a good length and on the fifth stump line, Tristan Stubbs stays back and pats it to short cover. Oh..no! It is called a No Ball for overstepping.
Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, 4 Leg byes.
Change from both ends as Lahiru Kumara replaces Vishwa Fernando now.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, MAIDEN OVER! Much fuller, on off, gets it to nip back in sharply, Temba Bavuma looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball goes nowhere.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Fuller again and in that channel outside off, moves away, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Touch fuller, on off, shaping in this time, Temba Bavuma strides out to push it away but gets an inside edge towards square leg.
Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Angelo Mathews starts with a good-length delivery around off, shaping further away, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone.
Change of gloves for Temba Bavuma.
Drinks! Sri Lanka's hour as they have exploited the overcast conditions perfectly. Both the Fernando's have picked up a wicket each and have made life difficult for the batters. South Africa have steadied the ship a bit through Tristan Stubbs and Temba Bavuma, but surviving the deadly spells is getting more and more difficult. An exciting phase of cricket awaits us.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Ends with short of length around the leg stump, Tristan Stubbs tucks it to wide of short mid-wicket from the back foot.Â
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Nice confident defence from Tristan Stubbs under his eyes. Hard length around middle, Tristan Stubbs comes forward and shows full face of the bat.Â
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Shorter than good length, outside off, Tristan Stubbs lets it go to the keeper.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, 1 run.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Same length outside off, Temba Bavuma sees it through to the keeper.Â
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Runs in hard and bowls a hard length outside off, Temba Bavuma gets beaten on the outside edge in trying to defend it.Â
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, On the pads, nipping into the right-hander from a good length. Tristan Stubbs flicks the ball straight to mid-wicket to end the over.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, On a good length just outside off. Tristan Stubbs takes a small foot out and lets the ball go.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Much fuller but still away from the off stump. Tristan Stubbs takes the foot out and lets the ball go though.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Just short outside off and Tristan Stubbs waves arms at it covering the line of the stumps.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Swings the ball away from over the wicket outside off. Tristan Stubbs sees the ball through to the wicket keeper.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Good length ball on the pads from over the wicket. Tristan Stubbs tucks it to mid-wicket.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, 3 runs.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Four!
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Four!
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
The sun is out now. Hopefully, the dark clouds stay away like this and we get a full day's of play.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Ends with a good length ball outside off, Temba Bavuma gets beaten on the outside edge from the front foot.Â
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, 1 run.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Hard length from over the wicket around middle, Temba Bavuma tucks it to square leg.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Back of a length outside off, Temba Bavuma blocks it off.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, On the length swinging away. Tristan Stubbs takes a good front foot out and sees it through.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Just short outside off. Tristan Stubbs stays back and drops it down to point.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Nagging length on the stumps, straight with the angle. Tristan Stubbs taps it down to square leg.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Left alone outside off. Length ball swinging away from Asitha Fernando and Tristan Stubbs sees it through.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Hits the length hard on the stumps and gets the ball to nip back in. Tristan Stubbs blocks the ball from the crease and gets an inside edge to square leg.
Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Much fuller but away from off. Tristan Stubbs leaves the ball off the front foot.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Much fuller angling on the off stump. Temba Bavuma flicks the ball straight to mid-wicket off the front foot.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Fuller on the pads, Tristan Stubbs leans and flicks it to deep fine for a single.Â
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Tristan Stubbs isn't judging the line very carefully here. On a length around the leg stump, shapes in, Tristan Stubbs gets hit on the pad trying to work it away and again a small appeal for LBW but it is going down leg.Â
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Yet to get off the mark, Tristan Stubbs wears another ball on the front pads but it looks to be pitching outside the leg stump line on a good length.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Much fuller and on the off stump. Tristan Stubbs offers a solid front foot defence to drop the ball down.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Starts with a good length around the leg stump, Tristan Stubbs gets beaten on the inside edge and the ball gets hit on the pad. A mild appeal for LBW but it is clearly down the leg.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Ends the over with a good length delivery just outside the off stump and Temba Bavuma blocks it off the front foot straight to point.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Holds the length back outside off. Temba Bavuma does not offer a shot.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Swings the ball up fuller on the off stump line. Temba Bavuma taps it off the front foot towards covers.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Off the mark straight away! Length ball on the off stump from around the wicket. Temba Bavuma drops it infront of covers and runs a single..
Temba Bavuma comes out to the middle now.
Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, ! c Kamindu Mendis b Vishwa Fernando.
Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, No run.
Tristan Stubbs walks out to bat at number 3.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, ! c Angelo Mathews b Asitha Fernando.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, Left alone outside off stump by Aiden Markram. Length ball away from the off stump does no hard to the batter.
Asitha Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, Bye.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, Drops the length back on the off stump. Aiden Markram drops it to the left of point with soft hands and runs a single off the misfield by the fielder.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, ! Tony de Zorzi is off the mark sticky, but he will take the four runs.
Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, Fuller on the fifth stump line, swinging away. Tony de Zorzi covers the line of the stumps and lets it go though.
Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, Good away swing outside the off stump from a much fuller length. Tony de Zorzi takes the front foot out and leaves it to the wicketkeeper.
Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, No run.
Vishwa Fernando to share the attack.
Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, ! TWO IN TWO!Â
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, Four!
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, No run.
Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, Runs in hard from over the wicket angle and pitches the ball on the good length straight away getting the shape away from the batter outside off. Aiden Markram covers the line of the stumps and sees it through to get things underway.
All in readiness for this crucial first Test to begin! Sri Lanka won an important toss earlier and chose to bowl first under overcast conditions without any surprises. Rain could be a big threat throughout Day 1 but for now, the players are out in the middle. Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi are the two openers for South Africa.
Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Kusal Mendis (WK), Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando.
South Africa (Playing XI) - Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (C), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada.