Lungani Zama dissects South Africa’s success against Sri Lanka in the first Tesat in Galle.
Hashim Amla: The South African skipper barely put a foot wrong in his maiden Test in charge.
He won a very necessary toss, and was quietly authoritative in the field.
He rotated his bowlers accordingly, and his declaration was a statement of intent – not just in this Test, but for his tenure. It didn’t even matter that he had a quiet game with the bat.
Dale Steyn: Continues to add to his legend, and again proved why he is the best on the planet.
His spell on Friday afternoon was terrific, and gave the Proteas a comforting lead.
Always looked like taking a wicket, and though unlucky he didn’t get his perfect 10, he will take 9/99 in these parts.
By the end of the match, the locals were cheering him like one of their own.
JP Duminy: The loss of Jacques Kallis was lamented because of the balance that the King gave the Test team.
With every bowling performance, Duminy is proving that he has the skills and the hunger to give South Africa a fresh alternative.
His bowling continues to impress, and he is adding to his repertoire all the time.
Lest we forget, his century in the first dig, batting with the tail, was priceless in the circumstances.
He eked out enough runs to put scoreboard pressure on the home side. A team man to the core.
Dean Elgar: It is a big series for the little Titan, as he looks to secure the opening slot on a long-term basis.
He took his chance in the first innings with a confident hundred, which set the team on their way to a big total.
He also presents a handy third option as spinner, and may well have been tossed the ball if Steyn and company hadn’t been greedy.
Quinton de Kock: A gritty 51 and a breezy 36 were welcome contributions with the bat.
But it was his nine dismissals behind the stumps that will please the team the most.
Save for one slip-up off Sangakkara, he was tidy behind the stumps, and his catch off Kaushul Silva had Steyn jumping for joy.
He’s given the selection panel a healthy dilemma for the future. - The Mercury