1st Test, Durban, November 27, 2024, 01:00 PM
South Africa
80/4(20.4ov)
Sri Lanka
Rain stops play
SA 18%
Tie 1%
SL 81%
Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Commentry
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
20.4
.
Pitched up and on middle and off, Kyle Verreynne keeps it out to the off side.
20.3
.
Good length and around off, angling away, Kyle Verreynne leaves it alone.
20.2
1
Touch fuller and on middle, Temba Bavuma clips it through square leg for a single.
20.1
4
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.
20.1
1wd
Fuller but way outside off, angles further away, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone. Wided.
In over# 20
4
0
3
1nb
4
1
4
Lahiru Kumara 35/2(4)
19.6
4
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.
19.5
.
Short of a length and well outside off, shaping away, Kyle Verreynne leaves it alone.
19.4
3
Overpitched and on middle, Temba Bavuma drives it off the inside half of the bat through mid on for three runs.
OUT! c Kusal Mendis b Lahiru Kumara.
19.4
1nb
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!
19.3
4
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.