Vernon Philander strikes early for South Africa

Vernon Philander struck an early blow for South Africa after Sri Lanka were set the massive target of 507 runs to win on the third day of the second Test at Newlands on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka were 17 for one at tea.

Philander bowled Dimuth Karunaratne for six in the sixth over of the innings with a ball which swung back between bat and pad as the left-hander attempted to drive.

Opening batsman Dean Elgar hit a half-century to add to his first innings hundred before South Africa declared their second innings on 224 for seven 45 minutes before tea.

Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal restored some pride for the tourists, taking four for 69 and ensuring that South Africa did not bat with complete freedom as they sought to set up the declaration.

With South Africa having opted not to enforce the follow-on despite leading by 282 runs on the first innings, Elgar and Stephen Cook put on 64 for the first wicket, adding 29 runs to their overnight 35 for no wicket.

Cook made 30 before he was caught at first slip off Suranga Lakmal. The Sri Lankan fast bowler made a double strike, dismissing Hashim Amla in the same over. Amla's recent run of poor form continued when he edged an out-swinger to be caught behind by Dinesh Chandimal for nought after facing five balls.

Elgar, who made 129 in the first innings, reached his fifty off 82 balls with seven fours but was out soon afterwards, caught at slip off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.

JP Duminy was leg before wicket to Lakmal in the lunch over for 30 and Temba Bavuma was run out without scoring immediately after the interval when Dhananjaya de Silva hit the stumps at the bowler?s end from mid-off.

Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock were caught behind for 41 and 29 respectively before Keshav Maharaj and Philander pushed the target beyond 500.

Source: AFP