3rd Test, Day 1: Amla 125* in 100th Test, Duminy 155 boost South Africa

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Internet Desk: Hashim Amla rose to the occasion in his 100th Test match, hitting a timely century, as he and JP Duminy put South Africa in pole position on the first day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday (January 12).

South Africa piled on 338 for 3 at stumps, with Amla unbeaten on 125, with 16 fours, at the Wanderers Stadium.

Duminy made 155, a knock studded with 19 fours, before he was caught at second slip off Lahiru Kumara in the penultimate over of the day, bringing an end to a third-wicket stand of 192 between him and Amla. It was South Africa’s highest partnership for any wicket against Sri Lanka.

Amla joined an illustrious club in marking 100 Tests with a hundred, becoming the eighth player overall and the second South African after Graeme Smith, the former captain, to do so.

Amla, who had not hit a half-century in his past ten innings, struggled at the start of the innings. A bit of respite came from Duminy, who joined him at the crease after both opening batsmen, Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar, were dismissed within six balls with the total on 45.

Duminy played the role of the aggressor, giving Amla, who was dropped by Dhananjaya de Silva at gully off Suranga Lakmal on 5, some breathing space.

Slowly and surely, though, Amla found his timing. After reaching a fifty off 109 balls shortly before tea, he gained some confidence. He brought up his 26th Test hundred off 169 balls, skipping down the wicket and lofting Rangana Herath over mid-off.

Duminy, at the other end, didn’t waste much time as he reached his half-century off 62 balls and went on to his sixth Test century after facing 140 deliveries. Duminy’s previous highest score in three previous Tests at the Wanderers was 29.

Cook and Elgar negotiated the first hour, but neither could capitalise on their starts. Cook, playing in a Test on his home ground for the first time, was trapped lbw by Angelo Mathews, the Sri Lankan captain, for 10.

Moments later, Elgar, on 27, pushed at a lifting delivery from Lahuri Kumara and was caught at first slip by Dimuth Karunaratne. Kumara ended the day with 2 for 79.

In pursuit of a 3-0 scoreline, South Africa decided to go with an an all-pace attack and handed a first cap to Duanne Olivier, 24, with Keshav Maharaj, the left-arm spinner, sitting out. Wayne Parnell, the left-arm seamer, came in place of Kyle Abbott.