Temba Bavuma’s 47 and Quinton de Kock’s 44 not out helped the Proteas reach 181-7 by tea on day one of the first Test at Kingsmead, KHALID MOHIDIN reports.
Sri Lanka’s decision to put the Proteas in to bat was instantly justified as the Proteas’ top three collapsed.
The hosts were reduced to 17-3 before a gritty partnership between Faf du Plessis and Temba Bavuma started a temporary fight back.
They only managed to bump their side up to 89-3 before Du Plessis lost his wicket on the stroke of lunch to put the visitors in a position of power. The Proteas went into the break on 89-4 and with a lot of work ahead of them.
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After lunch, Bavuma continued to try and hold the Proteas’ innings together but was dismissed in an unfortunate manner. De Kock played a drive back towards the bowler who got his foot in line with the ball and deflected it into the stumps at the bowler’s end. Bavuma was out of his crease, tried to dive back but he was not quick enough and had to depart after a well-played 47.
De Kock needed a partner to help him push the Proteas into a position of comfort and it wasn’t all-rounder Vernon Philander but, instead, Keshav Maharaj who delivered.
After being reduced to 131-6, Maharaj batted aggressively to build a 47-run partnership with De Kock to take the hosts to 178-6 before Maharaj lost his wicket after a cameo 29.
Kagiso Rabada’s best Test score is 34 and he will hope to equal or better that effort in order to provide the necessary support for the in-form de Kock during the final session of play.
De Kock went in to tea with his score 44 to help the Proteas to 181-7 as the home side aims to dig out a respectable total.
Photo: Dave Hunt/Getty Images
