Twitter Reactions: Fernando and Rajitha keep Sri Lanka in hunt at the Kingsmead

De Kock scored a blistering 94-ball 80.

By Sabyasachi Chowdhury

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Sri Lankan team
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Sri Lanka team. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Sri Lanka would be fairly happy after the close of play on Day 1 of their opening Test against South Africa at the Kingsmead in Durban. The visitors were impressive with the cherry and bowled the Proteas out for 235 in 59.4 overs. Their top order batsmen made sure that the hosts weren’t allowed to get a foothold back into the game. The Lankans, led by Dimuth Karunaratne, are currently trailing by 186 runs.

Bowlers strangle the hosts

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Islanders started on an impressive note, reducing the home team to 17 for three in the eight over. Left-armer Vishwa Fernando accounted for the openers- Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar. Suranga Lakmal got rid of the experienced Hashim Amla. Temba Bavuma and Faf du Plessis took charge and steadied the ship for South Africa after the early wickets.

The duo put on 72 before Kasun Rajitha dismissed Du Plessis for 35. The Proteas lost half their side with Bavuma’s dismissal. The right-hander succumbed to a horrendous run-out after scoring 47 runs with seven boundaries. Rajitha picked up his second wicket in the form of Vernon Philander, who could’ve done a lot of damage. Thereafter wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock took the onus upon himself.

De Kock scores big

The southpaw wasn’t in the mood to go into his shell and he raced away to 80 runs from 94 balls with eight boundaries and a six. He notched his fifty in 71 balls. He played until the very end and was the last wicket to fall. De Kock got support from Keshav Maharaj and Dale Steyn, who contributed 29 and 15 respectively. Fernando and Rajitha were the most successful with four and three wickets respectively.

The visitors didn’t get off to the best of starts as Dale Steyn found Lahiru Thirimanne’s outside-edge and sent him packing for a 14-ball duck. However, skipper Karunaratne and debutant Oshada Fernando put their heads down and added 30 runs for the second wicket. While Karunaratne remained not out on 28 from 47 balls, the newcomer in Oshade smashed a couple of fours to end the day on 17 from 34 balls.

Here is how Twitter reacted

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