Colombo: Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (8/116) claimed career-best figures as South Africa restricted Sri Lanka to 277 for nine at stumps on the opening day of the second Test match at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds here, Friday.
Maharaj’s figures are the third best against Sri Lanka by any opposition bowler following Imran Khan’s (8/58) at Lahore and Shannon Gabriel’s (8/62) in St. Lucia last month.
Openers Dimuth Karunaratne (53) and Danushka Gunathilaka (57) gave Sri Lanka a promising start putting on 116 runs. But once Maharaj dismissed the two after lunch in successive overs, the rot set in. Maharaj then got Kusal Mendis (21) and Sri Lanka went to tea at 168 for three.
In the final session’s play, Maharaj claimed five wickets to put South Africa on top. Kagiso Rabada claimed the other wicket to fall when he cleaned up Roshen Silva for 22.
Only Dhananjaya de Silva (60) fought it out at the middle as wickets fell at the other end. However, after being hit by a Rabada bouncer on the shoulder De Silva looked uncomfortable. He was soon sent back by Maharaj with South Africa successfully reviewing the leg before decision.
Last man Rangana Herath (5 batting) along with Akila Dananjaya (16 batting) were at the crease at stumps. Dale Steyn, who started the game needing one more wicket to break the South African record for most wickets in Test cricket remained unsuccessful on the day.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 277 for nine (Dhananjaya de Silva 60, Danushka Gunathilaka 57, Dimuth Karunaratne 53, Keshav Maharaj 8/166) vs South Africa. Match to continue.