Hall demolishes SL as SA cruise to win

Andrew Hall picked up three wickets for just one run as South Africa beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 64 runs in the first test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Hall wrapped up the tail 25 minutes before tea on day three as Sri Lanka were dismissed for just 130 in their second innings. Earlier South Africa totalled 386 in their first innings.

South Africa now have a 1-nil lead in the two-test series. The second test starts on Friday.

Hall bowled Ruchira Perera to wrap up the match just as rain started to fall at the Wanderers. His demolition job was all the more important as by the time the South African players finished their lap of honour in front of the 7,000 spectators rain was falling heavily and thunder rumbling nearby.

With a first innings deficit of 194, any thoughts Sri Lanka had of saving the game quickly evaporated as they were reduced to 25 for four with Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock both claiming two wickets each.

First Russel Arnold completed a miserable test by edging Ntini's first ball to Jacques Kallis at second slip to depart for a golden duck and suffer a pair.

Ntini then struck again in his fourth over with Kumar Sangakkara (seven) turning him down the leg side only to see wicketkeeper Mark Boucher take a spectacular leaping catch.

Pollock then had Mahela Jayawardene snapped up expertly by Gary Kirsten at short leg for one to leave the visitors struggling at 21 for three.

The South African captain grabbed his second wicket four runs later when Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya edged onto his stumps for a duck.

STEADY

Although Marvan Atapattu and Hashan Tillakaratne steadied the innings briefly with a partnership of 52 for the fifth wicket, Steve Elworthy had Atapattu caught at third slip by Graeme Smith for 43.

Debutant Hasantha Fernando became the second Sri Lankan to record a pair in the match when he was lbw to Elworthy for nought.

Chaminda Vaas contributed a breezy 32 before pulling Ntini straight to midwicket and Hall struck with his first ball with no addition to the score when Hashan Tillakaratne was caught at mid off by Elworthy for 27.

Hall struck again three balls later when Muttiah Muralitharan was clean bowled for a duck.

Earlier, Sri Lanka wrapped up the South African innings quickly as the home side added just eight runs to their overnight 378 for seven.

Muralitharan trapped Hall lbw without adding to his 31 with the fifth ball of the day.

Three deliveries later left arm seamer Vaas produced a beauty to Kallis that lifted to take the edge through to wicketkeeper Sangakkara.

Kallis also did not add to his overnight score of 75, made in a shade over five hours off 214 balls with eight fours. He now averages over 50 for the first time in his test career.

Muralitharan then picked up the wicket of Elworthy for six, also lbw, to end the South African innings.

Mail Cricket Editor