South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test at Gqeberha, , Dec 26 2016 - Match Result

RESULT
1st Test, Gqeberha, December 26 - 30, 2016, Sri Lanka tour of South Africa
286 & 406/6d
(T:488) 205 & 281

South Africa won by 206 runs

Player Of The Match
59 & 117
stephen-cook
Match centre 
Scores: Chandan Duorah | Comms: Andrew McGlashan
Scorecard summary
South Africa 286/10(98.5 overs)
1st INNINGS
Sri Lanka 205/10(64.5 overs)
1st INNINGS
South Africa 406/6(90.5 overs)
2nd INNINGS
1/84 (24.5)
Sri Lanka 281/10(96.3 overs)
2nd INNINGS
3/86 (30.3)
58 (90)
3/77 (21)

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.

96.3
W
Maharaj to Pradeep, OUT

and that's it! A beauty to win the Test. Pitches on middle, spins, beats the outside edge and takes the off stump. A delightful delivery for a left-arm spinner

Nuwan Pradeep b Maharaj 4 (9b 1x4 0x6 13m) SR: 44.44
96.2
Maharaj to Pradeep, no run

blocks a full ball to the off side

96.1
1
Maharaj to Lakmal, 1 run

down the pitch, swung in the air straight down the ground, Cook is at long-off but it's short of him

end of over 965 runs
SL: 280/9CRR: 2.91 
Nuwan Pradeep4 (7b 1x4)
Suranga Lakmal18 (19b 3x4)
Kagiso Rabada 21-4-77-3
Keshav Maharaj 30-7-85-2
95.6
Rabada to Pradeep, no run

almost bowled him, it's a full delivery, squeezes off the inside edge and trickles wide of the stumps

95.5
4
Rabada to Pradeep, FOUR runs

that goes through everything and everyone...Pradeep moving to leg, it's short of a length, nicks the inside edge onto his back leg and deflects past de Kock who had gone down the leg side

95.4
Rabada to Pradeep, no run

at the stumps, Pradeep moving to the leg side a little, defended to point

95.3
Rabada to Pradeep, no run

fended in the air, but short of point...didn't play that short ball with any conviction, thrusting his hands in front of his body

95.2
1
Rabada to Lakmal, 1 run

tucks a length delivery wide of short leg

95.1
Rabada to Lakmal, no run

a sharp short ball, 134kph, he just manages to get underneath it

Gururaj: "Hazlewood, Bird and Abbott are just showing that all you need to succeed in Test cricket is bowl the same outside off good length all the time. Of course, a bit of nibble in or out will surely help. The very same old principle!"

end of over 951 run
SL: 275/9CRR: 2.89 
Suranga Lakmal17 (17b 3x4)
Nuwan Pradeep0 (3b)
Keshav Maharaj 30-7-85-2
Kagiso Rabada 20-4-72-3
94.6
1
Maharaj to Lakmal, 1 run

full, hammered down the ground to long-off

Gully comes in

94.5
Maharaj to Lakmal, no run

shorter, worked off the back foot to midwicket

94.4
Maharaj to Lakmal, no run

nicely bowled, pitches on off stump and spins enough to beat the outside edge

94.3
Maharaj to Lakmal, no run

full at leg stump, flicked to midwicket

94.2
Maharaj to Lakmal, no run

touch fuller, leans forward and blocks

94.1
Maharaj to Lakmal, no run

round the wicket, he uses his feet, defends...may have been pad first

With one wicket needed Maharaj comes into the attack

end of over 94Wicket maiden
SL: 274/9CRR: 2.91 
Nuwan Pradeep0 (3b)
Suranga Lakmal16 (11b 3x4)
Kagiso Rabada 20-4-72-3
Vernon Philander 22-5-65-1
93.6
Rabada to Pradeep, no run

that's not too far from off stump, just starts to come back as Pradeep leaves it alone

93.5
Rabada to Pradeep, no run

pushes a length ball to mid-off

93.4
Rabada to Pradeep, no run

full and straight, blocked somewhat uncertainly to the off side

Puneeth: "I remember yesterday someone commented about Rabada picking wicket in his 20th over based on his SR, Rabada didn't disappoint him."

The players taking a drink as No. 11 Nuwan Pradeep makes his way to the middle. Murugan: "Lakmal playing like Mahela??? I think he is playing like Murali.. having a swat at everything"

93.3
W
Rabada to Chameera, OUT

and that's an edge, or glove in fact...short of a length at off stump, extra bounce, nips away and that's too good for a lower-order batsman who averages five. Sparring outside off, takes the thumb of the glove through to de Kock

Dushmantha Chameera c †de Kock b Rabada 0 (12b 0x4 0x6 20m) SR: 0
93.2
Rabada to Chameera, no run

full at the stumps, 131kph, defended

Best performances - batters
Spike Graph
Wagon Zone
SC Cook
117 runs (178)
11 fours0 six
Productive shot
flick
46 runs
1 four0 six
Control
84%
Q de Kock
69 runs (86)
6 fours0 six
Productive shot
cut shot
17 runs
3 fours0 six
Control
80%
Best performances - bowlers
VD Philander
O
20
M
7
R
45
W
5
ECO
2.25
FTYFGSGS
OFFLEG
RHB
1W
2W
1W
LEGOFF
LHB
1W
RAS Lakmal
O
27
M
9
R
63
W
5
ECO
2.33
FTYFGSGS
OFFLEG
RHB
1W
3W
LEGOFF
LHB
1W
Match details
St George's Park, Port Elizabeth
TossSouth Africa, elected to bat first
Series
Season2016/17
Player Of The Match
Series resultSouth Africa led the 3-match series 1-0
Match numberTest no. 2243
Hours of play (local time)10am start, Lunch 12.00-12.40, Tea 14.40-15.00, Close 17.00; Friday: Lunch 12.30-13.30; Tea: 15.30-16.00; Close: 18:00
Match days26,27,28,29,30 December 2016 - day (5-day match)
Umpires
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Match Referee
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