Srilanka Vs South Africa Centurion Test Day1 Cricinfo,highlights

Srilanka 180/9 

Highlights

South Africa claimed the honours on the opening morning at Centurion as they bagged three wickets after putting Sri Lanka in to bat on a green pitch, although they may have expected greater success. Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander struck in quick succession early on, before Tharanga Paranavitana and Mahela Jayawardene, who was closing in on 10,000 Test runs, steadied the visitors. Philander broke the resistance with his second scalp 15 minutes before lunch.

Both captains were eager to bowl and when the coin landed in Graeme Smith's favour, it meant a severe test for Sri Lanka's top order. At 12 for 2 something quite ugly was a distinct possibility but a stand of 54 for the third wicket ensured that Sri Lanka weren't out of the contest after a session.

By nature Tillakaratne Dilshan can be a hit-or-miss batsman, but his team deserved better from their captain than the horrid shot he played in the fifth over. Having driven the first boundary of the match in the previous over from Philander, he then tried to hoist Steyn over the leg side and only succeeded in lofting a simple catch to mid-on. Even the South Africa players looked surprised.

The warning signs were flashing three deliveries later when Philander claimed the key scalp of Kumar Sangakkara who had passed a late fitness test on the split webbing he picked up during the warm-up match in Benoni. Unlike Dilshan's dismissal, this was a genuine Test-quality wicket - Philander made a ball rear off a length to find an edge that flew to second slip.

Morne Morkel replaced Steyn, who was used lightly during the session, after a four-over opening spell and began by cracking Paranavitana on the side of the helmet as he took his eyes off a short ball. It wasn't the only blow that Paranavitana took and he also kept the slips interested, before life became a touch easier against a less-threatening Jacques Kallis and the surprise introduction for Imran Tahir.

Jayawardene started the innings 46 away from becoming the first Sri Lanka batsman to reach 10,000 Test runs. He also had nervous moments but showed his class by trying to play the ball as late as possible. On 12 he survived a loud appeal for caught behind but replays showed Smith was right not to review the decision as the ball brushed the back leg.

With Tahir brought on for the 20th over, it appeared Sri Lanka may be let off the hook leading into the lunch break, but Philander ensured the advantage remained with the hosts when he swung one between bat and pad against a static Paranavitana.