The covers are seen on the pitch as rain delays play during the first day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Kingsmead in Durban on Wednesday The covers are seen on the pitch as rain delays play during the first day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Kingsmead in Durban on Wednesday. Photo: Phill Magakoe/AFP
Rain had the biggest say in Durban on Wednesday as day one of the first Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka ended early.
The Proteas were on 80/4 at stumps as the visitors made the most of the overcast conditions at Kingsmead.
The wicket had been covered for 14 hours after a rain shower hit Durban overnight and in the early hours of Wednesday morning. After winning the toss, Sri Lanka put the home side in to bat, and benefited immediately.
Day 1 | Stumps 🟢![CDATA[]]>🟡
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) November 27, 2024
Play has been called off for the day.🌧️
Bavuma was fighting it out in the middle with the bat for the Proteas.👊![CDATA[]]>🏏
🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦South Africa will resume Day 2 on 80/4#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/mmOF1njBCA
Aiden Makram was gone for 9, and was followed by Tony de Zorzi (4), Tristan Stubbs (16), and David Bedingham (4).
At lunch, returning captain Temba Bavuma (28) and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne (9) were slowly rebuilding the South African innings, and put on 26 runs together for the fifth wicket.
The Proteas will be hoping the two can build on when play resumes on Thursday. Clear skies are forcast for Durban, with only a little rain expected to fall over the KwaZulu-Natal city. Play is expected to get underway at 9.30am.
Scorecard
South Africa first innings 80/4: Temba Bavuma 28, Tristan Stubbs 16, Lahiru Kumara 2/35, Vishwa Fernando 1/17
Teams of Kingsmead
Proteas: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wicket-keeper), Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada.
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Kusal Mendis (wicket-keeper), Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando.
IOL Sport