South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test Day 1: Highlights from Durban

SA vs SL

SA vs SL, 1st Test Day 1 Highlights: Sri Lanka have opted to bowl first at the Kingsmead in Durban. The visitors have gone in with three fast bowlers with the lone specialist spin option, Prabath Jayasuriya. Both teams are looking to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship to be held next year.

20:38 IST:

Right then! Just 20.4 overs of play on Day 1 and there will be a 15 minute extension to each session on Day 2 to get some of the lost time back in the game. South Africa will come out to bat again tomorrow and Sri Lanka will be looking to get early wickets again. Both teams looking to get a good start in the series but the rains had other plans yet again. thanks for joining us here today, have a good evening and we will catch you again for Day 2 at 7.30 am GMT. Till then, have a nice day ahead.

19:01 IST:

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!

18:33 IST:

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.

17:36 IST:

UPDATE - 11.59 am GMT - 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.

17:01 IST:

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.

16:32 IST:

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...

15:58 IST:

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. 

15:39 IST:

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.

15:16 IST:

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.

15:12 IST:

The day began with high drama as South Africa lost both openers within the first three overs courtesy of the two Fernandos, 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, sending David Bedingham back to the pavilion and leaving South Africa in deeper trouble.

15:11 IST:

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.

15:10 IST:

The rain gods have finally shown their presence and the players and the umpires walk off the field right at the brink of LUNCH! In fact, the umpires have taken Lunch a couple of minutes ahead of the scheduled time which seems to be the sensible move here.

14:55 IST:

20.4: Vishwa Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Pitched up and on middle and off, Kyle Verreynne keeps it out to the off side.

14:54 IST:

20.3: Vishwa Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Good length and around off, angling away, Kyle Verreynne leaves it alone.

14:54 IST:

20.2: Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Touch fuller and on middle, Temba Bavuma clips it through square leg for a single.

14:53 IST:

20.1: Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, FOUR! Good shot! Vishwa Fernando lands this back of a length and around off. Temba Bavuma opens the face of his bat and uses the pace on the ball to steer it through point for a boundary.

14:53 IST:

20.1: Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Fuller but way outside off, angles further away, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone. Wided.

14:51 IST:

19.6: Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, FOUR! 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.

14:50 IST:

19.5: Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, Short of a length and well outside off, shaping away, Kyle Verreynne leaves it alone.

14:49 IST:

19.4: 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.

14:49 IST:

19.4: Lahiru Kumara to Temba Bavuma, Oh...wow! Drama at Kingsmead! Sri Lanka thought they got their man, but Lahiru Kumara has overstepped here. A big reprieve for Temba Bavuma! Lahiru Kumara bangs this one short and down the leg side, Temba Bavuma tries to hook it away but only manages to glove it behind where Kusal Mendis grabs it. He starts to walk back but the umpire stops him to check for the No Ball. The third umpire confirms that and the Lankan celebrations are cut short. This could prove to be costly for Sri Lanka!

14:47 IST:

19.3: Lahiru Kumara to Temba Bavuma, FOUR! Edgy again but they all count! Back of a length and on off, gets it to shape away, Temba Bavuma stays back to defend but he too gets an outside edge. Dinesh Chandimal from gully chases after it and slides to push it back inside but fails to do so as the ball rolls to the fence.

14:46 IST:

19.2: Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, Short of a length and on off, Kyle Verreynne dabs it down to point.

14:45 IST:

19.1: Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, FOUR! Gets off the mark finally but in streaky fashion! Lahiru Kumara lands this on a good length and on off, straightens a bit. Kyle Verreynne gets squared up trying to defend with soft hands The ball takes the outside edge and runs past gully for a boundary.

14:44 IST:

18.6: 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.

14:43 IST:

18.5: Asitha Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Short of a length and on off, Kyle Verreynne stays back and dabs it to point.

14:42 IST:

18.4: Asitha Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Good-length delivery just around off, shaping away sharply, Kyle Verreynne leaves it alone.

14:42 IST:

18.3: Asitha Fernando to Kyle Verreynne, Pitched up, on middle, angling into the pads, Kyle Verreynne clips it to square leg.

14:41 IST:

The breeze getting steady and there is a bit of rain in the air already. We might get an early break if this continues!

14:41 IST:

18.2: Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Back of a length and on off, Temba Bavuma pats it wide of covers for a quick single.

14:40 IST:

18.1: Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Fuller in length and around off, shaping away, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone.

14:39 IST:

17.6: Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, Back of a length and on the sixth stump line, Kyle Verreynne lets it go to the keeper.

14:38 IST:

17.5: Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, Oh..so close! Lahiru Kumara goes full again and on off, gets it to nip back in sharply at over 140 clicks. Kyle Verreynne goes for the big drive but gets beaten on the inside edge this time as the ball just goes past the off pole.

14:38 IST:

17.4: 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.

14:37 IST:

17.4: 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.

14:36 IST:

17.3: Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, Hard length and in that channel outside off, Kyle Verreynne offers no shot at it.

14:36 IST:

17.2: Lahiru Kumara to Kyle Verreynne, Short of a length and outside off, shaping away, Kyle Verreynne leaves it alone.

14:35 IST:

Kyle Verreynne walks out to bat now with the floodlights on and the ground getting covered with clouds.

14:40 IST:

17.1: Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, OUT! BOWLED'EM! Absolute peach of a delivery and Lahiru Kumara strikes again! He serves this fuller and just around off, gets it to jag back in sharply. David Bedingham takes a big stride out to defend but plays all over it and is late too. The ball sneaks through the gap between bat and pad to crash onto the off stump which goes cartwheeling out of the ground. David Bedingham's short stay comes to an end and South Africa are 54/4 now!

14:31 IST:

16.6: 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.

14:31 IST:

16.5: 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.

14:30 IST:

16.4: Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Hard length and on middle, Temba Bavuma stays back and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

14:29 IST:

16.3: Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, FOUR! 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.

14:29 IST:

16.2: Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Good length and on off, shaping away, Temba Bavuma guides it towards point.

14:28 IST:

16.1: Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Fuller one and on middle, angling in, Temba Bavuma knocks it towards mid on.

14:26 IST:

15.6: Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, On a length and on middle, angling in, David Bedingham nudges it to mid-wicket.

14:28 IST:

15.5: Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, FOUR! WOW! Nice drive for a boundary at wide of deep point. Lahiru Kumara goes fuller this time, outside the off stump, David Bedingham leans and drives off with good connection. The ball reaches to the boundary in no time. First one for David Bedingham. 50 up for South Africa!

14:25 IST:

15.4: Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, Short of length in the bodyline, David Bedingham tucks it to leg side.

14:25 IST:

15.3: Lahiru Kumara to David Bedingham, That's a brave leave from David Bedingham. Hard length, nips back in, just passed the off stump by an inch. Lucky for David Bedingham that it doesn't hit the ball.

14:24 IST:

15.2: 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. 

14:24 IST:

David Bedingham walks out to bat.

14:22 IST:

15.1: Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Excellent comeback from Lahiru Kumara! Tristan Stubbs was not happy with the sight screen just before this delivery and maybe lost his focus, which led to his downfall here. This is back of a length and in the corridor of uncertainty, takes off from the surface. Tristan Stubbs stays back and just hangs his bat away to keep it out but only manages to get an outside edge. Dimuth Karunaratne at third slip dives to his left to take a sharp catch. Stubbs departs for 16 off 38, just as when he was starting to establish himself. South Africa three down now!

14:20 IST:

14.6: 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!

14:19 IST:

14.5: Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Much fuller and outside off, moving away this time, Temba Bavuma lets it go to the keeper.

14:18 IST:

14.4: 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.

14:17 IST:

14.3: Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, A massive shout for LBW this time, but turned down again! Angelo Mathews lands this on a good length and on off, nips back in sharply. Temba Bavuma tries to play but does so down the wrong line and gets hit on the thigh pads. Sri Lanka does not take the review as it look like going over.

14:16 IST:

14.2: Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Full again and on middle, shaping in sharply, Temba Bavuma tries to defend with a straight bat but misses and gets hit on the pads. A slight appeal but that is turned down. Probably going down the leg side.

14:16 IST:

14.1: Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Fuller delivery around off, shaping a long way away, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone.

14:15 IST:

13.6: Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, FOUR! Third one for Tristan Stubbs in this over. Lahiru Kumara bowls a yorker outside off, Tristan Stubbs digs it out and the ball goes to the boundary past the third slip at deep third. Not a good start for Lahiru Kumara. 17 runs off the over!

14:14 IST:

13.5: Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, FOUR! Top shot! Third boundary of the over! Lahiru Kumara lands this back of a length and just around off. Tristan Stubbs uses all his height to get on top of the bounce with a hop and punches it sweetly through covers for four more runs.

14:13 IST:

13.4: Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, On a length and on middle, Tristan Stubbs gets behind the line of it and keeps it out.

14:13 IST:

13.3: Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, FOUR! Off the bat this time. On a length around the off stump, Tristan Stubbs leans and wants to defend it but gets a thick outside edge which races away to the boundary at deep third. First one for Tristan Stubbs. 

14:12 IST:

13.2: Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, Goes a bit fuller now, on off, Tristan Stubbs strides out and pushes it to short covers.

14:11 IST:

13.2: 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.

14:10 IST:

13.1: Lahiru Kumara to Tristan Stubbs, FOUR LEG BYES! Lahiru Kumara starts with a short-of-length ball down the leg side, Tristan Stubbs stands tall and tries to keep it down but the ball goes off his thigh pads and races away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

14:10 IST:

Change from both ends as Lahiru Kumara replaces Vishwa Fernando now.

14:08 IST:

12.6: 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.

14:07 IST:

12.5: Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Pulls his length back slightly, well outside off, Temba Bavuma offers no shot at it.

14:08 IST:

12.4: Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Pitched up and on the sixth stump line, Temba Bavuma takes his front foot out and blocks it to short covers.

14:08 IST:

12.3: Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Fuller again and in that channel outside off, moves away, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone.

14:06 IST:

12.2: 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.

14:05 IST:

12.1: Angelo Mathews to Temba Bavuma, Angelo Mathews starts with a good-length delivery around off, shaping further away, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone.

14:05 IST:

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. Also, Angelo Mathews to bowl after the break.

14:04 IST:

Change of gloves for Temba Bavuma.

14:01 IST:

11.6: 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. 

14:00 IST:

11.5: 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. 

14:00 IST:

11.4: Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Shorter than good length, outside off, Tristan Stubbs lets it go to the keeper.

13:59 IST:

11.3: Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, A quick single by both batters. Back of a length around the off stump, Temba Bavuma pats it to cover and runs off, a bit of hesitation between the two but they get to the respective creases in time. 

13:58 IST:

11.2: Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Same length outside off, Temba Bavuma sees it through to the keeper. 

13:58 IST:

11.1: 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. 

13:57 IST:

10.6: 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.

13:56 IST:

10.5: Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, On a good length just outside off. Tristan Stubbs takes a small foot out and lets the ball go.

13:55 IST:

10.4: 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.

13:54 IST:

10.3: Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Just short outside off and Tristan Stubbs waves arms at it covering the line of the stumps.

13:54 IST:

10.2: 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.

13:53 IST:

10.1: Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Good length ball on the pads from over the wicket. Tristan Stubbs tucks it to mid-wicket.

13:52 IST:

9.6: Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Finally, Tristan Stubbs gets a bat on it and gets three runs at long on. Vishwa Fernando bowls fuller around middle, Tristan Stubbs leans and drives with the full face of the bat. He gets a good connection this time. They get three runs. End of a brilliant over from Vishwa Fernando. 

13:51 IST:

9.5: Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Much fuller but down the leg, Tristan Stubbs can't make any connection and the ball goes to the keeper.

13:50 IST:

9.4: Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Hard length outside off, Tristan Stubbs lets it go to the keeper.

13:50 IST:

9.3: Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Vishwa Fernando is bowling in tandem here. Three continuous balls in the channel and Tristan Stubbs can't do anything about them. This time, he goes fuller outside the off stump, Tristan Stubbs gets beaten on the outside edge in trying to drive away.

13:49 IST:

9.2: Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, A repeat of the last ball. Back of a length, on the off stump, Tristan Stubbs tries to defend it but misses the line and the ball past the outside edge.

13:48 IST:

9.1: Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Uff! Starts from over the wicket and bowls a tempting hard length on the middle stump, Tristan Stubbs plays from the back foot and gets beaten on the outside edge due to the shape away. Lucky for him the ball doesn't take the edge of the bat.

13:48 IST:

8.6: Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, FOUR! TWO IN TWO! Same line and same length from Asitha Fernando outside the off stump and Temba Bavuma takes the front foot out and crunches it through covers for another boundary to end the over.

13:46 IST:

8.5: Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, FOUR! MUCH BETTER! Temba Bavuma gets his first boundary off a good cover drive. Fuller on the off stump, looking for some swing, Asitha Fernando misses the length and Temba Bavuma takes the front foot out and punches the ball to the left of covers for a boundary.

13:45 IST:

8.4: Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Just short outside off. Temba Bavuma sees it through.

13:45 IST:

8.3: Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Much fuller on off. Temba Bavuma drives it back to the bowler.

13:44 IST:

The sun is out now. Hopefully, the dark clouds stay away like this and we get a full day's of play.

13:44 IST:

8.2: Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Drops the length back on off. Temba Bavuma stays back and taps it to gully.

13:43 IST:

8.1: Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Over the wicket, length ball on the fifth stump. Left alone by Temba Bavuma.

13:43 IST:

7.6: 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. 

13:42 IST:

7.5: Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Fuller down the leg side, Temba Bavuma flicks it for a single at deep fine. 

13:41 IST:

7.4: Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Hard length from over the wicket around middle, Temba Bavuma tucks it to square leg.

13:40 IST:

7.3: Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Back of a length outside off, Temba Bavuma blocks it off.

13:39 IST:

7.2: Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Drops the length on off. Temba Bavuma stays back and drops it down.

13:39 IST:

7.1: Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, DROPPED! It should have been a wicket for Vishwa Fernando! Pitched on the hard length just around off, angles away. Temba Bavuma pokes at it but gets an outside edge towards second slip. Dimuth Karunaratne goes low and gets his fingers underneath the ball but fails to hold on to it. How costly will it prove? Let's see

13:38 IST:

6.6: Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, On the length swinging away. Tristan Stubbs takes a good front foot out and sees it through.

13:38 IST:

6.5: Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Just short outside off. Tristan Stubbs stays back and drops it down to point.

13:37 IST:

6.4: Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Nagging length on the stumps, straight with the angle. Tristan Stubbs taps it down to square leg.

13:36 IST:

6.3: Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Left alone outside off. Length ball swinging away from Asitha Fernando and Tristan Stubbs sees it through.

13:35 IST:

6.2: 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.

13:34 IST:

6.1: Asitha Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Much fuller but away from off. Tristan Stubbs leaves the ball off the front foot.

13:33 IST:

5.6: Vishwa Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Ends with a full ball around the middle, a little bit of inswing, Temba Bavuma tucks it to short mid-wicket. 

13:33 IST:

5.5: Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Fuller on the pads, Tristan Stubbs leans and flicks it to deep fine for a single and gets off the mark.

13:32 IST:

5.4: 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. 

13:31 IST:

5.3: 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.

13:30 IST:

5.2: 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.

13:30 IST:

5.1: 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.

13:29 IST:

4.6: 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.

13:28 IST:

4.5: Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Holds the length back outside off. Temba Bavuma does not offer a shot.

13:27 IST:

4.4: Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Full and away from the batter outside off. Temba Bavuma is not interested to play at that.

13:26 IST:

4.3: 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.

13:26 IST:

4.2: Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Good length outside off once again and left away by the batter.

13:25 IST:

4.1: Asitha Fernando to Temba Bavuma, Gets the outside edge with an outswinger on the off stump but Temba Bavuma offers very soft hands and the edge does not carry to the second slip.

13:25 IST:

3.6: Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Hits the length on the off stump line. Tristan Stubbs offers a front foot defence to end the over.

13:24 IST:

3.5: Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Left alone outside off. Tristan Stubbs does not play at that.

13:23 IST:

3.4: Vishwa Fernando to Tristan Stubbs, Huge shout but the Umpire is unmoved! Vishwa Fernando runs in hard from over the wicket angle and pitches the ball on a good length, getting the ball to nip back in straight onto the front pads of Tristan Stubbs who looks to block it but misses. Sri Lanka does not take a review as it looks too high to the naked eye. Also, Ball Tracking shows it pitched outside leg.

13:22 IST:

3.3: 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..

13:21 IST:

Temba Bavuma comes out to the middle now.

13:20 IST:

3.2: Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, OUT! CAUGHT! SECOND IN NO TIME! Sri Lanka running away with the new ball! Both the openers are back in the hut! Vishwa Fernando swings the ball away from a good length just outside off and Tony de Zorzi pokes the bat from the crease, getting a thick outside edge of the bat that goes low between the first and the second slip. Kamindu Mendis at second slip, puts in a good low dive to his right and grabs the ball with both hands. Tony de Zorzi walks back on 4 (9) and South Africa are 14/2.

13:19 IST:

3.1: Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, Away movement once again from outside the off stump line and Tony de Zorzi lets the ball go through.

13:18 IST:

Tristan Stubbs walks out to bat at number 3.

13:17 IST:

2.6: Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, OUT! CAUGHT! BIG FIRST WICKET! Asitha Fernando sends back Aiden Markram! Beautifully bowled on a good length just outside off and gets the ball to swing away after pitching. Aiden Markram offers a front-foot defense but the ball kisses the outside edge of the bat and goes straight to Angelo Mathews at first slip who does not drop many. Sri Lanka picks up the first wicket of the match early in the day and Aiden Markram walks back at 9 (11) and South Africa are 14/1.

13:16 IST:

2.5: 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.

13:15 IST:

2.4: Asitha Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, BYE! Shapes in beautifully, fuller on the stumps to the left-hander. The ball does a bit too much and misses the legs, goes back to the wicketkeeper, Kusal Mendis who does well to stop the ball with his dive but still gives away a single as byes.

13:15 IST:

2.3: 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.

13:14 IST:

2.2: Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, Much fuller outside off. Aiden Markram sees it through.

13:13 IST:

2.1: Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, Just short at the batter from over the wicket. Aiden Markram stays back and blocks it off well.

13:12 IST:

1.6: Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, FOUR! Tony de Zorzi is off the mark sticky, but he will take the four runs. Vishwa Fernando pitches the ball on the fifth stump outside off and finally, Tony de Zorzi pokes the bat at it, getting a thick outside edge flying through the gap between gully and slip and the ball runs away to the fence.

13:11 IST:

1.5: Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, No shot offered once again from the left-hander to a fuller delivery outside off, swinging away.

13:11 IST:

1.4: 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.

13:10 IST:

1.3: 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.

13:09 IST:

1.2: Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, Good length delivery much away from the off stump. Tony de Zorzi is not interested in playing at that.

13:09 IST:

1.1: Vishwa Fernando to Tony de Zorzi, Drops it short just outside off from over the wicket angle to the left-hander. Tony de Zorzi stays back in the crease and leaves the ball.

13:09 IST:

Vishwa Fernando to share the attack.

13:08 IST:

0.6: Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, Length ball again just outside off. Aiden Markram sets on the crease and sees it through.

13:07 IST:

0.5: Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, Pitches the ball up on the off stump. Aiden Markram gets an outside edge falling short of gully. Good comeback from the bowler.

13:06 IST:

0.4: Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, FOUR! TWO IN TWO! Just short this time from Asitha Fernando again on top of the off stump this time. Aiden Markram sets back and punches the ball all along the carpet to the left of covers and gets his second boundary of the over.

13:05 IST:

0.3: Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, FOUR! CUT AWAY! The first boundary of the match is from Aiden Markram and he picks up the length so quickly and uses the width to open his account. Asitha Fernando drops the length back outside the off stump line and this time Aiden Markram gets back in the crease and slaps the ball in front of point for a beautiful boundary.

13:05 IST:

0.2: Asitha Fernando to Aiden Markram, Much fuller outside off. Aiden Markram lets the ball to through.

13:04 IST:

0.1: 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.

13:04 IST:

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. Asitha Fernando has the new red cherry in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

12:37 IST:

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.

12:37 IST:

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.