Ntini quick off the mark for South Africa

South Africans 34 for 2 trail Sri Lanka Board President XI 251 (Silva 68, Kaluwitharana 51, Ntini 5-37) by 217 runs
Scorecard

Makhaya Ntini needed no time to hit his straps at the start of South Africa's five-week tour of Sri Lanka, as he ripped through a Board President's XI with figures of 5 for 37, on the opening day of their tour match in Colombo.

After losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, South Africa made a decisive start, as Ntini grabbed wickets in his second and third overs, before Nantie Hayward extracted Russel Arnold for 9. Only Romesh Kaluwitharana provided any resistance in the morning session, as he clattered his way to a 47-ball 51.

Kalu fell to his fourth ball after the break (111 for 5), as Ntini emerged for a second spell, but Chamara Silva and Chanaka Wijesinghe resisted for 29 overs in a 77-run stand for the sixth wicket. Silva eventually top-scored with 68, although both men were caught behind by Mark Boucher off Ntini.

Jacques Kallis, Hayward and Nicky Boje shared the final wickets around as the Board XI were bowled out for 251, leaving South Africa to face a tricky eight-over spell before stumps.

Dilhara Fernando, the former Sri Lankan fast bowler, made effective use of that time and snared two quick wickets before the close of play. Graeme Smith fell after cracking four fours in a run-a-ball 21, while Andrew Puttick, who came in as a replacement for Herschelle Gibbs, had the worst possible start to his tour as Fernando nailed him for a duck.

The South Africans finished the day at a shaky 34 for 2 and still trailed by 217 runs.