{ "id": "157525", "author": "26", "cnmid": "", "title": "Kumara Gives Sri Lanka Edge On Rain-Hit Day Against South Africa", "lang": "en", "series": "1", "cup_year": "2024", "article_type": "General", "excerpt": "Sri Lanka vs South Africa First Test Day 1 Report", "subtype": null, "editor1": "

Lahiru Kumara struck twice as Sri Lanka's bowlers had the better of a rain-hit opening day of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead on Wednesday. South Africa were 80 for four when rain stopped play for the day shortly before lunch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

SCORECARD<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Fast bowler Kumara took wickets in successive overs to put his team on top –- and was denied a third wicket because of a no-ball.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"There was a lot in favour of the bowling team and they bowled well. The deliveries that got wickets were all pretty decent," said South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"It's a skilled bowling line-up and obviously they have done their homework."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Sri Lankan bowling coach Darshana Gamage said pace was Kumara's biggest asset.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

With a history of hamstring injuries, he is now being used as a Test specialist.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"In this Test championship, we wanted to have all our bowlers fresh," said Gamage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Our biggest challenge is to have quicks who will win us Test matches and I can say that we have the nucleus now to do the job away from home."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Sri Lanka's decision to bowl first on a well-grassed pitch paid off under a heavily overcast sky.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Namesakes Ajitha and Vishwa Fernando dismissed both South Africa's openers with the total on 14.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Ajitha Fernando had Aiden Markram caught at first slip and the left-armed Vishwa had the left-handed Tony de Zorzi caught at second slip in what were virtual mirror-image dismissals, with the ball swinging away from the batsmen.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Tristan Stubbs and South African captain Temba Bavuma defended doggedly, taking the total to 29 after 13 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

There was a flurry of scoring when Kumara came into the attack in the 14th over, with 17 runs added off his first over –- four leg-byes, a no-ball and three boundaries by Stubbs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

But the strongly-built Kumara found extra bounce with the first ball of his second over, having Stubbs caught at third slip for 16.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

David Bedingham hit a boundary but was then beaten for pace by a ball which sent his off stump flying.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Kumara celebrated a third wicket when Bavuma, on 20, gloved an attempted hook at Kumara's first short-pitched delivery of the innings to be caught behind by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

But a check by the third umpire showed that Kumara had over-stepped.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Bavuma, who was dropped at third slip by Dimuth Karunaratne off Vishwa Fernando when he was on one, was unbeaten on 28 when rain drove the players off the field.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The weather is expected to clear from Thursday and Prince said South Africa were in a reasonable position, referring to the first Test between Australia and India in Perth last weekend when two low first innings totals were followed by a strong Indian second-innings performance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Last week's Test in Australia was a good example of how when conditions change, things can change for the batting team. When the sun came out the pitch changed colour and conditions changed dramatically. We're hoping for a bit of sunshine tomorrow morning."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The two-Test series is crucial to both sides' hopes of reaching next year's World Test Championship final at Lord's, with Sri Lanka sitting third in the table and South Africa fifth.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Brief scores:<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Also Read: <\/b> Highest tax paying cricketers<\/a><\/p>

South Africa, first innings, 80-4 in 20.4 overs (T. Bavuma 28 not out; L. Kumara 2-35)<\/p>\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Lahiru-Kumara.jpg", "alt_img": "Lahiru Kumara", "alt_title": "South Africa vs Sri Lanka First Test", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Kumara Gives Sri Lanka Edge On Rain-Hit Day Against South Africa On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Lahiru Kumara struck twice as Sri Lanka's bowlers had the better of a rain-hit opening day of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead on Wednesday.", "seo_keywords": "Lahiru Kumara, Sri Lanka Tour South Africa 2024", "tag": null, "tagging": "Lahiru Kumara,Sri Lanka Tour South Africa 2024,", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "sri-lanka-vs-south-africa-first-test-day-1-report", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "1", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "1181", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2024-11-28 09:18:32", "updated": "2024-11-28 09:18:32", "img_from": "Image Source: Google", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Lahiru Kumara, Sri Lanka Tour South Africa 2024", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "0", "google_feed": "0", "read_more": "1", "posted_by": "1", "jio_date": "2024-11-28 09:18:32", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": "Select", "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/sri-lanka-vs-south-africa-first-test-day-1-report-157525" }