Shamsi the star on tough day for the bowlers

Tabraiz Shamsi’s five for 45 spearheaded a tough workout for the Proteas bowlers on day one of the two-day warm-up match against a Sri Lanka Board XI at the P.Sara Oval in Colombo on Saturday.
The left-arm wrist spinner, along with fellow leg-spinner Shaun von Berg (2/82,) led the strikes with the ball as the hosts were dismissed for 287 in 78.2 overs.
It was a tough toil for the bowlers in hot and flat conditions, but the bowling loads were rotated strategically by captain, Faf du Plessis, after winning the toss and electing to bowl first.
Good morning from the P. Sara Oval in Colombo. The Proteas have won the toss and elected to bowl in their two-day warm up match against a SL Board XI. Follow us for regular updates #SLvSA pic.twitter.com/ZECXR0KHeX
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) July 7, 2018
Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn partnered up with the new ball after six months, and both eased back into their rhythm throughout the course of the day.
Kagiso Rabada ran in with pace and aggression, and looked at his best after recovering from a lower back injury.
TEA time: Great session for the spinners. SL XI 206/6 after 50.4 overs. @shamsi90 picked up 3/28 alongside @shaunvonberg46 2/59. Have a look at this peach of a ball from Shamsi 👌 #SLvSA pic.twitter.com/2GrBBTLIQC
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) July 7, 2018
Lungi Ngidi (1/52) was the only seamer in the wickets column with the scalp of Sri Lanka’s captain, Angelo Mathews, who top-scored with a valiant 92. There were other contributions from Kaushal Silva (76) and Danushka Gunathilaka (53), in a top five that features four batsmen in Sri Lanka’s squad for the first Test.
Although the placid conditions are in stark contrast to what is expected at the Galle International Stadium next week, the coaching staff will be encouraged by the intensity and mileage in the tank. All of the bowlers were able to put in at least three spells, although the fast bowlers came in with short bursts in the searing heat. Keshav Maharaj is struggling with an illness and was unable to take the field.
In response, the Proteas lost the early wicket of Aiden Markram after he played on a delivery from Lahiru Gamage for 0. Dean Elgar (14*) and Hashim Amla (2*) will resume the innings on 17/1 on the final d
Latest
-
News
Proteas name Test squad for Pakistan tour
South Africa have named a 21-man touring party for the two-Test series in Pakistan.
-
News
Smith makes distinction between out of runs and out of form
Steve Smith put paid to the suggestion he was out of form with a fighting hundred against India.
-
News
England warm-up under way in Sri Lanka
The touring squad has returned a second round of clear Covid-19 tests following Moeen Ali’s positive result.
-
News
Jack Leach awaiting Covid vaccine news after ‘scary’ vulnerable classification
The England spinner takes medication for Crohn’s disease, leaving his immune system weakened.
-
News
Jonny Bairstow ready to tap into Jacques Kallis class during Sri Lanka tour
The England batsman is enthused about working with the Proteas great.
-
News
Heather Knight to lead England in ‘historic’ Pakistan tour
England Women will play two T20s and three ODIs in Karachi later this year.
-
News
Claire Polosak makes history as first woman to officiate a men’s Test
Claire Polosak continues to blaze a trail for women in umpiring.
-
News
Pooran insists West Indies will be a T20 World Cup threat
You would be foolish to discount the West Indies in the short format despite their poor run of late.
-
News
Andrew Balbirnie excited about Ireland’s year ahead
Ireland will play seven internationals in January, the same as the whole of 2020.
-
News
Zak Crawley out to prove he is no ‘one-hit wonder’ in Sri Lanka
The Kent batsman, 22, hit a magnificent 267 against Pakistan on his previous England appearance in August.