South African A seamers dominate

South Africa A took the honours on the opening day of their three-day match against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla thanks to impressive bursts from their pacemen. Monde Zondeki, Tyron Henderson and Zander de Bruyn grabbed three wickets each as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 206.

Jacques Rudolph, the South African captain, asked Sri Lanka to bat after the match had started two hours due a damp pitch and his seam attack utilised the conditions. Upul Tharanga, who has recently made his one-day international debut for Sri Lanka, gave further evidence of his adundant talent as he provided the majority of resistance with a stubborn 72.

However, the rest of the Sri Lanka line-up could not handle the sustained pressure from an experienced South African seam attack. The South Africans made a positive start in reply and although Hashim Amla fell for 15, Rudolph will resume in 42.