Sri Lanka show resolve in South Africa Test after early wicket

Johannesburg (AFP) - Dimuth Karunaratne was out in the first over of the Sri Lankan innings after South Africa were bowled out for 426 on the second day of the third and final Test at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday.

Sri Lanka were 46 for one at tea, with Kaushal Silva and Kusal Mendis showing resolve after Karunaratne was caught behind without scoring off Vernon Philander's fourth ball of the innings.

On their best day of the series, Sri Lanka's bowlers claimed South Africa's seven remaining wickets for 88 runs.

Nuwan Pradeep took four wickets in as many overs to finish with four for 78, while Lahiru Kumara took four for 107.

Hashim Amla, who resumed on 125 not out, could add only nine more runs off 44 balls before he was caught behind to become Pradeep's third victim.

Although Pradeep was the most successful bowler, it was an impressive collective bowling performance by the Sri Lankan seamers in overcast conditions on a pitch which seemed to have more life than on the first day.

Sri Lanka bowler Nuwan Pradeep finished the morning of the third and final Test against South Africa with innings figures of four for 73

Suranga Lakmal bowled superbly from the start of play after South Africa resumed at 338 for three, conceding nine runs in seven overs, four of which came from overthrows, and having South African captain Faf du Plessis dropped by Mendis at second slip.

Angelo Mathews, who opened the bowling with Lakmal at start of play, sent down five overs for nine runs and dismissed nightwatchman Duanne Olivier.