Sri Lanka had won the toss and elected to bat first.Openers Gunathilaka and Karunaratne got to their respective half centuries. Meanwhile the hundred run partnership was brought up. The South African seamers didn't find any sort of help from the surface.
But the opening partnership didn't last too long as both Gunathilaka and Karunaratne were dismissed.Karunaratne edged one behind to keeper while Gunathilaka top-edged the delievery to Kagiso Rabada who took a blinder. Kusal Mendis got out in the same fashion after a well made 60.Four batsman got out while trying to sweep.
South Africa felt the absence of Shamsi who could have proved to be vital in such conditions. Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram had to roll their arm-over in order to aid some advantage.
Roshen Silva and Dhananjya de Silva brought some resistance to South Africa's bowling.Mathews fell after tea,but before that he became ninth Sri Lankan batsman to score 5000 test runs. There was a mini collapse as Sri Lanka were 264-9 from 223-4.Dhananjaya after a lean patch scored an all important half century.But he was trapped by a ball from Maharaj at 60.
Except Maharaj,only Rabada was the sole wicket-taker. He got he beteter of Roshen Silva.
Sri Lanka must be furious towards the end of day's play considering the start that they got. They didn't loose a single wicket in the first session and then they had this collapse. Although Lakmal and Herath added 13 runs to the scoreboard unbeaten.
Tomorrow must be an interesting day to watch out as South Africa are not known to handle spin well.