by 
Lahiru Kumara struck twice as Sri Lanka’s bowlers got the better of a rain-soaked opening day of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead on Wednesday.
South Africa were 80 for four when rain halted play shortly before lunch.
Fast bowler Kumara took wickets in successive overs to put his side at the top – and was denied a third wicket due to a no-ball.
“There was a lot of favor in favor of the bowling team and they bowled well. The deliveries that got wickets were all pretty decent,” the South Africa batting coach said , Ashwell Prince.
“It’s a skilled bowling line-up and they’ve obviously done their homework.”
Sri Lankan bowling coach Darshana Gamage said pace was Kumara’s greatest asset.
With a history of hamstring injuries, he is now used as a testing specialist.
“In this Test championship, we wanted all our bowlers to be fresh,” Gamage said.
“Our biggest challenge is to have quicks that will win us test matches and I can say we now have the core to do the job away.”
Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first on a well-grassed pitch paid off under heavily overcast skies.
Namesakes Ajitha and Vishwa Fernando dismissed the two South African openers with a total of 14.
Ajitha Fernando had Aiden Markram caught at first slip and left-armer Vishwa had left-hander Tony de Zorzi caught at second slip in what were virtual mirror image dismissals, the ball flying away from the batsmen.
Tristan Stubbs and South Africa captain Temba Bavuma defended fiercely, taking the total to 29 after 13 overs.
There was a flurry of scoring when Kumara came into attack in the 14th over, with 17 runs added to his first over – four leg-byes, a no-ball and three boundaries from Stubbs.
But the solidly built Kumara found extra bounce with the first ball of his second over, Stubbs being caught at third slip for 16.
David Bedingham hit a boundary but was then beaten for pace by a ball that flew off his stump.
Kumara celebrated a third wicket when Bavuma, on 20, went for a hook attempt off Kumara’s first short delivery of the innings only to be caught by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis.
But a check by the third official showed Kumara had gone out of bounds.
Bavuma, who was dropped at third slip by Dimuth Karunaratne to Vishwa Fernando while on one, was unbeaten on 28 when rain chased the players from the field.
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, where two weak First innings totals were followed by a strong Indian performance in the second innings.
“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 color and the conditions changed dramatically. We’re hoping for some sunshine tomorrow morning.”
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 rankings and South Africa fifth.
Brief scores:
South Africa, first innings, 80-4 in 20.4 overs (T. Bavuma 28 not out; L. Kumara 2-35)
Draw: Sri Lanka
str/jc/iwd
