South African opening bowler Vernon Philander claimed his third
five-wicket haul in as many Tests as Sri Lanka was bowled out for 180 on
the first day of the first Test at SuperSport Park on Thursday.
Philander took five for 53 and fellow fast bowler Dale Steyn grabbed
four for 18 to end the Sri Lankan innings shortly before tea.
In reply South Africa had made 90 for the loss of skipper Graeme Smith's wicket at close.
Sri Lanka, which was sent in on a green pitch that offered bounce and
movement, lost its last six wickets for 24 runs off 32 balls. The
collapse was sparked by a burst of three wickets in five balls — all
confirmed by television reviews — which ended a spirited fifth wicket
stand of 65 off 79 balls between Thilan Samaraweera (36) and Angelo
Mathews (38).
Philander broke the partnership when he had Samaraweera caught behind
off a ball which bounced steeply. The batsman was given not out by
umpire Rod Tucker but the South Africans asked for a review and the
hotspot technology showed that the batsman had got a faint edge.
The next ball brought the wicket of Kaushal Silva, again after the
batsman was given not out by umpire Rod Tucker. The review requested by
South Africa showed that Silva gloved the ball down the leg-side to
wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.
Three balls later, new batsman Thisara Perera was caught at slip off
leg-spinner Imran Tahir. He was given out by umpire Steve Davis and
television umpire Richard Kettleborough was again brought into action
when Perera unsuccessfully sought a review.
Philander had Mathews caught at slip to achieve the feat again before
Steyn bowled the last two batsmen, Chanaka Welegedara and Dilhara
Fernando, with successive balls.
Sri Lanka would have been in more trouble had Samaraweera not enjoyed a
reprieve on 13 when he was caught at third slip off Morne Morkel, only
for an umpire's review to show Morkel had overstepped.
Keywords: South Africa-Sri Lanka Test series
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