Duminy celebrates after scoring his fourth Test century

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

South Africa all-rounder Jean Paul (JP) Duminy scored a magnificent unbeaten century to put the Proteas in a commanding position at the end of the second day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Duminy was brilliantly supported by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, who made a solid maiden half-century.

Starting out the day on 268/5, de Kock and pace bowler Dale Steyn converted their two-run partnership into a 24-run partnership before Steyn was clean bowled by Suranga Lakmal for three runs.

De Kock went on to score 51 off 90 balls, which included six boundaries, before he was caught by Mahela Jayawardene off the bowling of Dilruwan Perera.

De Kock struck six boundaries during his knock of 51

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Duminy and Vernon Philander stabilised the innings with a 75-run partnership, during which Duminy brought up his half-century, before Philander was given out lbw off the bowling of Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews for 27.

Duminy and Morne Morkel kept the runs flowing with a 66-run partnership, during which Duminy registered his fourth Test century, before Morkel was cleaned up by Perera for 22.

Following Morkel’s dismissal, South Africa declared on 455/9.

Duminy remained unbeaten on 100 off 206 deliveries, which included 10 boundaries.

Perera was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Lakmal snapped up three wickets and Mathews and Rangana Herath chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Trailing by 455, Sri Lanka got off to a cautious start as Kaushal Silva and Upul Tharanga amassed a 30-run partnership before stumps was called.

Tharanga finished on 20 off 40 balls, which included four boundaries, while Silva remained undefeated on eight off 33 deliveries, which included one boundary.

Sri Lanka ended day two on 30/0 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:00 local time or 04:30 GMT.