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SOUTH AFRICA 286 (98.5 OVERS)1ST INNINGS
- Stephen Cook59 (125)
- Jean-Paul Duminy63 (95)
- Rangana Herath2/48 (20)
- Suranga Lakmal5/63 (27)
SRI LANKA 205 (64.5 OVERS)1ST INNINGS
- Angelo Mathews39 (69)
- Dhananjaya de Silva43 (70)
- Vernon Philander5/45 (20)
- Kyle Abbott3/63 (21.5)
SOUTH AFRICA 406/6d (90.5 OVERS)2ND INNINGS
- Stephen Cook117 (178)
- Quinton de Kock69 (86)
- Suranga Lakmal1/64 (18)
- Dhananjaya de Silva2/91 (15)
SRI LANKA 281 (96.3 OVERS)2ND INNINGS
- Angelo Mathews59 (120)
- Kusal Mendis58 (90)
- Keshav Maharaj3/86 (30.3)
- Kagiso Rabada3/77 (21)
Scorer: Chandan Duorah | Commentator: Andrew McGlashan
South Africa win by 206 runs and have set down a strong marker for the series. Wasn't quite a complete performance, the fielding wasn't at its best in the second innings, but all-in-all a very impressive all-round display from the home side. It was an even game after the first day, but since then South Africa pulled further and further away. Vernon Philander and Kyle Abbott were outstanding, Kagiso Rabada was better in the second innings and Keshav Maharaj did his role ideally yesterday. It many ways it is what we expected before the series, Sri Lanka struggling in these conditions but they'll be disappointed with some of the top-order batting. They only have two days to think about things before the Newlands Test. I'll stay with you and for a little while and hopefully bring the presentation shortly.
Ankit Bakliwal: "It is so boring to see the home team win all the time. What do you suggest should be done to have more balance in these test matches?" Ideally more warm-up matches, but that's tough with the packed schedules these days. Maybe fewer Test - and tours - but with longer build-ups. Quality over quantity? Although I know the number of Tests between teams is already uneven. And South Africa have shown in recent times how it is possible to win away from home.
Presentation time...Angelo Mathews "I thought the bowlers did pretty well but it was hard work for the batters. If we can bat well from the beginning then we don't have to fight back. We've only got a couple of days to regroup. We'll try our best to start well in the second Test. We know we are up against a good-quality side. There were lots of positives but not enough for win."
Faf du Plessis "We had to toil for this one. But from day one we played some good cricket, very happy with how the game went. Last six months has gone very well. Everything went exactly that we would have liked. The wicket was green and we got a hundred stand. Thought we could have got 50 more, but to get an 80 lead was a fantastic effort. Boys worked hard yesterday but got their rewards today. We thought reverse may come into play, but the grass left on meant the ball never really scuffed up. The bowlers were relentless on their line and length. This seam attack, time and time again, has proven they can do it with three bowlers. Puts a lot of emphasis on the spinner, too, and Keshav has been doing a really good job. I feel like as a team were are at about 80% so hopefully we can get better as a batting unit."
The Man of the Match is Stephen Cook for his fifty and a hundred. "It's gone well the last couple of games. You know you will go through tough times. Wanted to make it count in the second innings. Nice to have the family around."
And that just about wraps things up for this Test and for Test cricket in 2016. There is an ODI left to complete international cricket for the year. We'll be back on January 2 for the second Test from Newlands but, for now, from Andrew McGlashan it's goodbye and thanks for joining us. Happy New Year.
N Pradeep b Maharaj 4 (13m 9b 1x4 0x6) SR: 44.44
END OF OVER:96 | 5 Runs | SL: 280/9
- Nuwan Pradeep4 (7b)
- Suranga Lakmal18 (19b)
- Kagiso Rabada21-4-77-3
- Keshav Maharaj30-7-85-2
Match Coverage
All Match NewsElgar tames South Africa's monster
South Africa's preferred green pitch almost backfired on them on day one at Newlands. A typically determined Dean Elgar made sure it didn't
Du Plessis' plans come together to highlight Mathews' problems
South Africa were expected to be too strong for Sri Lanka in the opening encounter, but what made the gap between the teams even wider were some of Angelo Mathews' tactics.
Du Plessis praises groundsman for quelling Herath's threat
South Africa wanted a pitch to nullify the threat of Rangana Herath, and that is what they got in Port Elizabeth.
Terrible shots in second innings were our downfall - Mathews
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews singled out poor shot selection in both innings as the main factor behind their 206-run loss to South Africa in Port Elizabeth.
Abbott hastens South Africa's crushing win
South Africa made full use of the second new ball to rip through Sri Lanka's last five wickets and complete a 206-run win in Port Elizabeth.