Brittle Sri Lanka blown away by an innings
South Africa overwhelmed a brittle Sri Lanka by an innings and 81 runs at Centurion with victory sealed before tea on the third day
15/12Result
1st Test, Sri Lanka tour of South Africa at Centurion, Dec 15-17 2011
-
![Sri Lanka]( "Sri Lanka")
180 & 150 (39.1 ov) -
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
Player of the Match
15/12Result
1st Test, Sri Lanka tour of South Africa at Centurion, Dec 15-17 2011
-
![Sri Lanka]( "Sri Lanka")
180 & 150 (39.1 ov) -
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
Player of the Match
Day 3
South Africa starting to gel dangerously
South Africa are bringing together all areas of their game and producing a dangerous combination
Kulasekara, Prasad added to SL squad
Sri Lanka have called up fast bowlers Nuwan Kulasekara and Dhammika Prasad to their Test squad for the remaining two matches against South Africa.
Run out for 9999
ESPNCricinfo presents Plays of the Day from the third day of the first Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Centurion
Manner of defeat more concerning for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's struggles on the field are compounded by their issues behind the scenes
Day 2
South Africa build commanding advantage
It wasn't all one-way traffic on the second day in Centurion but South Africa ended in a very commanding position, having built a lead of 209 with AB de Villiers' 99 the cornerstone of their innings
The indomitable Kallis
ESPNCricinfo presents Plays of the Day from the second day at Centurion
I still back the fielder - de Villiers
AB de Villiers fell one short of his 13th Test century but still believes South Africa already have enough runs to put the match beyond Sri Lanka
Day 1
Philander sets up dominant South Africa
The opening day at Centurion went largely according to expectations as Sri Lanka struggled to handle the home side's bowling attack on a helpful pitch
Sri Lanka pin hopes on Fernando
Dilhara Fernando finished a controlled spell late on the first day at Centurion, showing promising signs
Philander leads the pack
There is secret to bowling on a pitch that glistens with green and Vernon Philander knows what it is
Irresponsible Dilshan lets the side down
ESPNCricinfo presents plays of the day from day one at Centurion
Morkel's struggles come from within
Morne Morkel has struggled since having the new ball taken away from him
Others
Mathews taken for scan with groin injury
Sri Lankan vice-captain Angelo Matthews has suffered a groin injury and will have a scan to determine the severity
Lack of runs hinders Sri Lanka fight
Sri Lanka kept up a competitive spirit for large parts of day two but their lack of first-innings runs saw their comeback wilt away
Dilshan not cowed by South Africa challenge
Tillakaratne Dilshan says South Africa may be favourites, but his Sri Lanka side have self-belief that they can beat any side in any conditions
Smith faces new left-arm nemesis
ESPNcricinfo picks out the key battlegrounds for the Test series between South Africa and Sri Lanka
Smith wants winning mentality
South Africa have not won a home series since 2008, one of their most obvious problems being the inability to polish off the opposition tail, leaving them without the results that are expected from a team of their calibre
Odds heavily stacked against Sri Lanka
In bowler-friendly conditions, Sri Lanka have their task cut out against a strong South African team keen to win their first home series in three years
South Africa must make home advantage count
ESPNcricinfo previews the first Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Centurion