Elgar celebrates after scoring his sixth Test century

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

South Africa were being given a run for their money by Sri Lanka on the first day of the second Test in Cape Town, but all that changed courtesy of opening batsman Dean Elgar’s brilliant knock of 129.

Elgar was well supported by wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock, who scored an unbeaten 68.

Opting to field first, Sri Lanka did not have to wait long for their first wicket as South Africa opener Stephen Cook was caught behind off the bowling of Suranga Lakmal for a duck on the fourth ball of the match.

Elgar and Hashim Amla made up for the early loss of Cook with a 66-run partnership before Amla was clean bowled by an absolute peach of a delivery from Lahiru Kumara for 29.

Just five balls later, Kumara claimed his second victim as JP Duminy was caught behind for a duck.

With South Africa in a spot of bother at 66/3, Elgar and captain Faf du Plessis came to the rescue with a 76-run partnership, during which Elgar brought up his half-century.

But, just as the Proteas were beginning to settle down, veteran Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath put them on the back foot once again by removing Du Plessis for 38.

Temba Bavuma fell shortly after for 10, but Elgar and De Kock stabilised the innings with a 103-run partnership, during which Elgar surpassed his hundred and De Kock his fifty.

With the tide beginning to turn in favour of the hosts, Sri Lanka were desperately looking for a wicket in order to limit the damage that was being done.

In the end, it was Lakmal who provided the breakthrough as he had Elgar caught behind for a career-best 129, which came off 230 balls and included 15 boundaries.

Despite sending Elgar back to the pavilion, De Kock continued to be a thorn in Sri Lanka’s side as he and Kyle Abbott put together an unbeaten 25-run stand before stumps was called.

De Kock finished on 68 off 90 balls, which included seven boundaries, while Abbott remained undefeated on 16 off 21 deliveries, which included three boundaries.

De Kock struck seven boundaries during his unbeaten knock of 68

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

During his knock, De Kock went past 1,000 Test runs and became the fifth-fastest South African player to achieve the feat after Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers, Eddie Barlow, Graeme Pollock and Du Plessis.

Kumara was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Lakmal snapped up two and Herath chipped in with one.

South Africa ended day one on 297/6 and will continue batting on Tuesday at 10:00 local time or 08:00 GMT.