Steyn dismissed Silva, Jayawardene, Thirimanne, Chandimal and Perera
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Sri Lanka were left in dire straits at the end of the third day of the first Test in Galle after enduring South Africa pace bowler Dale Steyn’s wrath.
Steyn bulldozed through the Sri Lankan batting line-up with an impressive five-wicket haul to keep the tourists in firm control.
However, Sri Lanka opener Upul Tharanga, who is playing in his first Test after nearly seven years, and captain Angelo Mathews both deserve a lot of credit as they scored fluent half-centuries.
Starting out the day on 30/0, Tharanga and Kaushal Silva only managed to add nine runs onto their 30-run partnership before Silva was caught by Vernon Philander at long leg off the bowling of Steyn for eight runs.
Tharanga and Kumar Sangakkara made up for the early loss of Silva with a 59-run partnership, during which Tharanga brought up his half-century, before Sangakkara was clean bowled by Morne Morkel for 24.
Mahela Jayawardene only made three runs before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Steyn.
Jayawardene decided to review the decision, but replays showed that the ball was going on to crash into the stumps, which led to the third umpire upholding the original decision.
Tharanga ended up making 83 off 155 balls, which included 14 boundaries and a six, before he was stumped by Quinton de Kock off the bowling of Jean Paul (JP) Duminy.
Tharanga struck 14 boundaries during his brilliant knock of 83
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Lahiru Thirimanne and Mathews steered the hosts in the right direction with a 54-run partnership before Thirimanne was caught behind off the bowling of Steyn for 38.
Dinesh Chandimal failed to have an impact with the bat as he was caught by Alviro Petersen at short midwicket off the bowling of Steyn for six runs.
Dilruwan Perera failed to trouble the scorers as he was caught behind off the bowling of Steyn for a duck.
Mathews and Rangana Herath steadied the innings with a 71-run partnership, during which Mathews brought up his half-century, before he was clean bowled by Imran Tahir for 89 off 182 balls, which included 14 boundaries and a six.
Mathews led by example with a superb 89
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Suranga Lakmal made six runs before he was cleaned up by Morkel.
Stumps was called right after Lakmal was dismissed with Sri Lanka still trailing by 172 runs with only one wicket in hand.
Herath remained unbeaten on 12 off 44 balls, which included two boundaries.
Steyn was easily the pick of the bowlers after recording his 23rd five-wicket haul. He was well supported by Morkel, who snapped up two wickets, while Tahir and Duminy chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Sri Lanka ended day three on 283/9 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:00 local time or 04:30 GMT.