Date-stamped : 03 Nov93 - 05:56 Test 1 - Day 1 Colombo - PACE PAIR LIFT SOUTH AFRICA: Pacemen Allan Donald and Brett Schultz restricted Sri Lanka to 241 5 at the close of the first day of the first ever Test be- tween the countries. Donald claimed the scalps of Chandika Hathurusinghe with just five runs on the board Asanka Gurusinha (26) and Ranatunga (44) for figures of 3 44. Roshan Mahanama made an enterprising 53 before Schultz deceived him with a slow yorker which clipped the bail. CRICKET: FIRST TEST Moratuwa Sri Lankan left handers Hashan Til- lakaratne and Ruwan Kalpage led their country to 241 5 on their first ever day with South Africa. The pair ended the day with an unbeaten stand of 73 after pacemen Allan Donald and Brett Schultz had reduced Sri Lanka to 168 5. Donald was used in short bursts due to the strength sapping heat but the Warwickshire man fin- ished with impressive figures of 3 44. Sri Lankan opener Roshan Mahanama hit 53 and Arjuna Ranatunga a rapid 44 in a fascinating day. Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com) Test 1 - Day 2 Colombo FIVE STAR DONALD KEEPS UP PACE Allan Donald has completed his third five wicket haul of his six Test career to bowl Sri Lanka out for 331 in their second Test with South Africa. Donald claimed 5/69 to mop up Sri Lanka's tail and dismiss them 50 min- utes after lunch. Andrew Hudson survived a dropped slip catch by Roshan Mahanama to reach 39 as South Africa piled up 81/0 at the close despite a stoppage for rain. CRICKET: FIRST TEST Moratuwa Allan Donald took five wickets in an innings for the third time in six Tests as South Africa dis- missed Sri Lanka for 331. The Warwickshire paceman took 5/69 and was well supported by Brett Schultz who celebrated his 23rd birthday with figures of 4/75. Hashan Tillekeratne was the last man out for 92 after striking 13 fours in a 261 minute in- nings. Kepler Wessels and Alan Hudson got South Africa off to a solid start in reply taking the score to 81/0 by close of play. ======== MORE South Africa is banking on skipper Kepler Wessels and Andrew Hudson for a long innings to take the advantage over Sri Lanka when the first Test resumes on Saturday. Wessels and Hudson put on 81 in 42 overs without separating by the end of Thursday and the pair will be hoping to extend their stay when play resumes at the Tyronne Fernando Stadium after Friday's rest day. "We are very happy that Kepler and Hudson plugged themselves ... we like to try to bat on and get a big score. We would like to put pressure on Sri Lanka in their second innings," South African coach Mike Procter said. Procter commended pace bowlers Allan Donald and Brett Schultz who took nine wickets between them to end Sri Lanka's first innings at 331. Left-hander Schultz celebrated his 23rd birthday Thursday with a career-best 4-75. "Donald and Schultz bowled exceptionally well. They showed a lot of guts on that wicket," said Procter referring to the slow track and added that on hindsight he believed South Africa should have gone in with an extra seamer. The pitch offered little to the spinners of either side with South Africa's off-spinner Pat Symcox giving away 100 runs without a wicket on his test debut. Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga said he was satisfied with 331 but expressed disappointment at a dropped catch that let Hudson off the hook and the inability of his three specialist spinners to achieve a breakthrough. "We have to be satisfied with 331. Originally we thought we should get to about 400 runs. But that is how the game goes ... we have to bowl better for a breakthrough," said Ranatunga. The right-handed Hudson who is 39 not out was lucky to survive after the usually safe Roshan Mahanama dropped an easy catch at second slip off seamer Pramodya Wickramasinghe. South Africa deprived Hashan Tillekeratne of a maiden Test century when they bowled out Sri Lanka for 331 in the 13th over after lunch on Thursday. Fast bowler Allan Donald took two wickets in 15 balls and Brett Schultz had Tillekeratne trapped leg-before for 92 to end the Sri Lankan innings 53 minutes after the lunch interval on the second day of the first Test. Tillekeratne was unlucky to miss his first century for a third time after scores of 93 not out against England and 93 against New Zealand in the past year. The left-hander smashed 13 boundaries during his 258-minute innings. Earlier, Donald bowled Piyal Wijetunge in the first over after lunch and then had Pramodya Wickramasinghe superbly caught at cover point by Jonty Rhodes for 11. Donald finished with best figures of 5-69 while Schultz celebrated his 23rd birthday Thursday with figures of 4-75. Thanks to Vasa on r.s.c. Contributed by The Management (help@*nodak.edu) RSA SL Test1 Day 3 28 Aug 1993 Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan took a career-best five for 104 as Sri Lanka bowled out South Africa for 267 in the ninth over after tea on the third day of the first Test on Saturday. But at close Sri Lanka lost one of the openers and their nightwatchman for 26. Only Pat Symcox resisted the Sri Lankan spinners but he too eventually fell to Muralitharan for 48 with seven fours. Off-spinner Ruwan Kalpage had last man Brett Schultz leg-before to end the South African innings 64 runs short of Sri Lanka's first innings total of 331. The 21-year old Muralitharan had earlier bowled tail-ender Clive Eksteen in the sixth over after tea. After opener Andrew Hudson departed for 90 in the 10th over after lunch, South Africa lost three wickets in the space of three runs with the introduction of the new ball in the 92nd over. Seamer Pramodya Wickramasinghe took two wickets in four balls and medium pacer Chandika Hathurusinghe took a wicket off his first ball of the match to send South Africa crashing to 206-6. Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who captured both wickets that fell in the morning session, took his third when Jonty Rhodes, the last of South Africa's recognised batsmen, was well held at forward short-leg by Hashan Tillekeratne in the last ball before tea. Pat Symcox was unbeaten on 24. Wickramasinghe bowled veteran Jimmy Cook with a yorker that knocked the middle stump and held on to a return catch from wicket-keeper Dave Richardson in his next over. In between, medium pacer Hathurusinghe had Daryll Cullinan leg-before for 33. Asanka Gurusinha, who had spilled a chance from Hudson when he was on 57 off Muralitharan, made no mistake with a second catch from the batsman at silly point off left-arm spinner Piyal Wijetunge. The right-hander had 10 boundaries and a six in his 296-minute innings. ======MORE Moratuwa SOUTH AFRICANS FALL BY WAYSIDE Young off spinner Muttiah Muralidaran took a career best 5 104 as Sri Lanka skittled South Africa for 267 on the third day of the first Test. The 21 year old was the star as the tourists lost their last seven wickets for 64 runs in just 61 balls. Murali- daran in a final spell of six overs spun out three batsmen for 19 as the Springboks folded to give Sri Lanka a useful first in- nings lead of 64. Contributed by The Management (help@*nodak.edu) Test 1 - Day 4 Moratuwa : Tea Day 4 Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga hit a superb unbeaten century to put his side in a commanding position in the first Test against South Africa. Ranatunga's 106no lifted Sri Lanka to 256 5 in their second innings at tea on the fourth day an overall lead of 320. He needed a runner after being struck by a full toss from fast bowler Brett Schultz on 94 but completed his fourth Test century shortly before the break. Day 4: 29 August 1993 : CRICKET: FIRST TEST Moratuwa Close of Play Sri Lanka stepped up their bid for victory over South Africa when skipper Arjuna Ranatunga fired a brilliant 131 on the fourth day. Ranatunga shrugged off injury and a disputed decision as he pow- ered Sri Lanka's second innings from 26 2 overnight to 300 6 de- clared at tea. South Africa set 365 to win were reduced to 25 2 before bad light ended play 14 overs before close. Springboks opener Andrew Hudson fell for four and Hansie Cronje for one as Sri Lanka took a firm upper hand into the final day. Test 1 - Day 5 A brilliant unbeaten 101 by Jonty Rhodes helped South Africa salvage a draw in their inaugural Test match against Sri Lanka. Rhodes thwarted the home side's bid for victory with his maiden Test ton as South Africa reached 251 7 by the close of play. The Sri Lankans had looked set for victory after taking three wickets in the post lunch session and reducing the tourists to 199 7. But Rhodes put on 52 with Clive Eksteen for the eighth wicket to steer his side to safety. SOUTH AFRICA HANG ON FOR DRAW Jonty Rhodes hit a match saving century to steer South Africa to a draw in their first ever Test match against Sri Lanka in Moratuwa. Rhodes was unbeaten on 102 as the tourists closed at 252/7 after the hosts had reduced them to 149/6 at tea. The tourists, set 365 to win resumed at 24/2, but their victory hopes vanished with the dismissal of Keppler Wessels in the morning session. Contributed by The Management (help@*nodak.edu) ======== Reporter's Report :-) Day 1 - 25 August 1993 The wicket contained very little grass and looked like it was going to take spin as the test progressed. In spite of being being flat and unresponsive, the wicket took pace and bounce. South Africa started off well when they got an early breakthrough and had opener Hatrusinghe back in the pavilion with only 5 runs on the board. The fast bowlers kept on the pressure but it couldn't last in the hot Sri Lankan sun. RSA had taken a gamble in going into the match with only 2 recognised front line bowlers and when the opening pair of Donald and Schultz were taken off, the SL batsmen were left in the comfortable hands of 2 young spinners. With the limited exposure that the RSA spinners have had, the SL batsmen got used to them very quickly. The honeymoon by the SL batsmen was soon over when Donald and Schultz were reintroduced into the attack. After the vemonous opening spell, they came back with more vemon and after not too much hassle, had SL reeling at 168/5. However, after toiling in the hot sun, the fast bowlers were unable to lift themselves up physically, and SL were allowed to get off the hook, rather than RSA tying up the rest of the SL batsmen. SL took the oppurtunity awarded to them and went on to not lose another wicket. Day 2 - 26 August 1993 Similar in condition to Day 1 and also taking pace and bounce. However play would be disrupted twice by rain and bad light. The wicket has started breaking up in places but has not started interfering with play, since its outside the length of the spin and fast bowlers. After finishing favourably the day before, SL piled on the misery for RSA by not folding as easily as RSA would expect a tail to fold. The SL batsmen continued to hold on and pile on the runs, with Hashan Tillikeratne (SL) staying around and making sure that he had enough partners to make a serious bid for his maiden Test century. This was not to be. Alan Donald (RSA) and Brett Schultz (RSA) had different plans though, and between the two of them made sure that he didn't have enough partners left. Finally Tillikeratne was last man out, having pulled SL out of the woodwork from 168/5 to 331/10, lbw to Schultz (RSA). He was 1 run short of equalling his highest score for the 3rd time. After the fighting spirit shown by the bowlers, the RSA opening pair of Hudson (RSA) and Wessels (RSA) got through the rest of the day with out much incident except for Hudson giving Mahanama at second slip something to worry about, after Mahanama dropped a straight forward slip catch with Hudson on 17. There were no further incident, and Hudson provided the bulk of the excitement by sending the loose deliveries to the boundary, and he ended the day on 39* of which there were 6x4's. A big surprise though was the ease at which both RSA openers played the spinners, especially considering RSA batsmen weakness against spin. Note: Today was Brett Schultz (RSA) 23rd birthday. Day 3 - 28 August 1993 Having recovered a little due to the rest day, the wicket seems to be a good condition. The spin that everyone predicted finally materialised today, with the ball starting to turn. Coming back after the rest, RSA had all to play for after a good spell in the last session of Day 2. Hudson (RSA) and Wessels (RSA) continued from where they left off and continued to frustrate the SL bowlers. Hudson showing a spirit against spin not seen before by him, took the fight to the SL spinners and against Muralitheran (SL) he used his pad often, since it was impossible to be given out leg before to a sharply turning ball if he was far enough across. Even with the short-leg and silly point in close position waiting for the mistake, Hudson (RSA) didn't give them chance to do anything except to duck when he pulled or square cut. Taking his chance also he came down the wicket when the ball was given the extra bit of flight, and hit Muralitharan for a four and then a six to reach his 50. Wessels then departed, and this brought Cronje to the middle. Looking out of place, Cronje (RSA) took some time to settle down and when he had decided that he was seeing the ball, he came down the wicket to a ball from Muralitheran (SL) that spun sharply and left Cronje (RSA) stranded. If he wasn't bowled, then the odds were that he would have been stumped. Cullinan helped himself to a handfull of runs most of them coming from short pitched deliveries which on a slow pitch just sat up and asked to be dispatched to the boundary. Hudson was finally out bat-pad to silly point. This brought "old man" Cook (RSA) to the middle. The new ball was requested by SL 17 overs after it was due, and it brought unexpected sucess. Cook (RSA) was bowled middle stump by a yorker from Wickremasinghe (SL), Cullinan (RSA) lbw to Haturusinghe (SL), and Richardson (RSA) was caught by Wickremasinghe off his own bowling. When the spinner Muralitherathan (SL) was introduced into the attack he got Rhodes (RSA) bat-pad, it seemed that RSA hopes of surviving were at an all time low. In came Pat Symcox (RSA) who withough scant respect for anyone showed his more esteemed colleages how to play SL in getting a quick 48 runs in just 71 balls with 7 fours. However it was just a matter of time before the RSA tail was wrapped by the SL bowlers and this they, leaving RSA 64 runs in arrears and the prospect of having to bat last. The RSA bowlers came out firing on all cylinders and Mahanama (SL) survived a very confident appeal for caught behind by Donald (RSA) and the rest of the RSA players. Donald (RSA) trying to get RSA back into the picture struck Hathurusinghe painfully below the armpit. However the SL survived everything that the RSA fast bowlers could throw at them. Symcox who had the dubious honour of having a century hit off him in the first inning, came into the attack and got a wicket first ball, and again 4 balls later, having brought RSA slightly back into the game. Day 4 - 29 August 1993 Wicket has started taking much more spin and the cloudy conditions overhead are helping the spinners. Donald (RSA) and Schultz (RAS) brought RSA back into the picture with 2 early wickets leaving SL on 75/4. The day then belonged to SL with captain Arjun Rantunga (SL) leading the way with a magnificent 137 off 140 balls (more of a 1 day statistic) which included 18 fours and 1 six. However the "drama" of the day came when Umpire KT Francis turned down a caught and bowl appeal by Cronje (RSA) off Ranatunga (SL) when he had 58. The umpire thought that the ball had hit the ground first adn therefore disallowed the catch. However, the TV camera's all seeing eye showed that the ball had in fact not hit the ground. However after having SL reeling at 75/4, they failed to take the advantage and allowed SL to get out of trouble. When the 5th wicket fell at 196, RSA still stood a chance as long as they managed to wrap up the remainder of the SL batsmen quickly. However, SL captain had other ideas and along with De Silva (SL) and Tilleratne (SL), they weathered the storm, with De Silva being Dropped twice on 55 and 62. But the damage had been done. SL declared their inning closed, and put RSA immediately under pressure by claiming the early wickets of Hudson (RSA) and Cullinan (RSA). With only 8 wickets standing and a full day still to come, RSA will need to dig deep into their reserves to salvage this match, and SL have everything to play for. Match Referee, John Reid gave the South African team an unofficial warning about some of their on-field behaviour during today's play. Day 5 - 30 August 1993 Wicket has finally turned into a spinners wicket. Rain delayed the start of play for 30 minutes but after that it was a hot muggy day again. Having gained the upper hand, SL piled on the pressure and took the early wicket of Wessels (RSA), leaving RSA at 47/3. This brought Cook (RSA) to the wicket, and along with Cullinan they went about trying to restore the inning, but Cook (RSA) was to go with the score at 92 and Cullinan (RSA) with the scoreboard showing 127. RSA were in trouble. With Rhodes (RSA) coming in, they needed a miracle to salvage the match. Along with Richardson they managed to take the score to 138 before Richardson (RSA) was out. At tea RSA were 148/6 and their hopes were fading quickly. However, the 2 Natal team mates Rhodes (RSA) and Symcox (RSA) had other ideas, they stuck out in the middle against all odds and took the score to 200 before Symcox headed back to the pavilion. The guts of the RSA players really came through when Eksteen came in, knowing that he was the last person who can stop the SL attack, since neither Donald nor Schultz would have survived very long against a determined SL attack. To his credit, Eksteen (RSA) hung around, scoring 4 runs off only 89 balls. And Rhodes also helped himself in the process to a Maiden century, and was not out 102 when stumps were drawn, having pulled RSA out of the hole. This is what Rhodes had to say: "A lot of people at home say I can't play spin. They started off saying that I couldn't play Test cricket. Hopefully I've shown them I've come a long way." "It's nice to get a 100 under the belt", on his maiden test century. "I just had to stick around and was watching the clock. At one stage I did thinkj 'wouldn't it be nice to get a 100' but imagined what a fool I would be if I got out. The captain would chase me all the way back to the hotel." "Usually batting with a tailender you are concerned about keeping the strike but Eddie had a hell of a broad bat and just stuck around. He certainly made my job a lot easier", on batting with Clive Eksteen who made 4 runs off 89 deliveries. INCREMENTAL SCORES Day 1 - 25 August 1993 Sri Lanka 1st inning 241 for 5 in 90 overs Day 2 - 26 August 1993 Sri Lanka 1st inning 331 all out in 127.2 overs South Africa 1st inning 81 for 0 in 42 overs South Africa are 250 runs behind with all wickets standing. Day 3 - 28 August 1993 Sri Lanka 1st inning 331 all out in 127.2 overs South Africa 1st inning 267 all out in 112.5 overs Sri Lanka 2nd inning 26 for 2 in 17 overs Sri Lanka lead by 90 with 8 wickets standing. Day 4 - 29 August 1993 Sri Lanka 1st inning 331 all out in 127.2 overs South Africa 1st inning 267 all out in 112.5 overs Sri Lanka 2nd inning 300 for 6dec in 80 overs South Africa 2nd inning 25 for 2 in 11 overs South Africa need 339 runs to win with 8 wickets standing. Day 5 - 30 August 1993 Sri Lanka 1st inning 331 all out in 127.2 overs South Africa 1st inning 267 all out in 112.5 overs Sri Lanka 2nd inning 330 for 6dec in 80 overs South Africa 2nd inning 252 for 7 in 112 overs RUN RATES Day 1 - 25 August 1993 Sri Lanka 241 runs in 90 overs at 2.68 runs / over Day Rate 241 runs in 90 overs at 2.68 runs / over Day 2 - 26 August 1993 Sri Lanka 90 runs in 37.2 overs at 2.41 runs / over South Africa 81 runs in 42 overs at 1.93 runs / over Day Rate 171 runs in 79.2 overs at 2.16 runs / over Day 3 - 28 August 1993 South Africa 186 runs in 70.5 overs at 2.63 runs / over Sri Lanka 26 runs in 17 overs at 1.53 runs / over Day Rate 212 runs in 87.5 overs at 2.41 runs / over Day 4 - 29 August 1993 Sri Lanka 274 runs in 63 overs at 4.34 runs / over South Africa 25 runs in 11 overs at 2.72 runs / over Day Rate 299 runs in 74 overs at 4.04 runs / over Day 5 - 30 August 1993 South Africa 227 runs in 101 overs at 2.25 runs / over Day Rate 227 runs in 101 overs at 2.25 runs / over Inning Rate Sri Lanka 1st inning 331 runs in 127.2 overs at 2.60 runs / over South Africa 1st inning 267 runs in 112.5 overs at 2.37 runs / over Sri Lanka 2nd inning 300 runs in 80 overs at 3.75 runs / over South Africa 2nd inning 252 runs in 112 overs at 2.25 runs / over Match Rate: 1150 runs in 432.1 overs at 2.66 runs/over HISTORICAL EVENTS 1. First time RSA and SL have played a Test. 2. First time RSA and SL have met in a Test in SL. 3. Pat Symcox (RSA) makes his international debut. 4. Clive Eksteen (RSA) makes his international debut. 5. 3rd Time that Alan Donald (RSA) has taken 5 w in an inn. 6. Rhodes 102* is his first FC century and his HS. Contributed by Reporter (fkhan@*ee.und.ac.za)