Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini claimed five wickets on Friday to help South Africa dismiss a Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI to 251 runs in a three-day warm-up match.
In reply South Africa was 34 for two wickets at stumps on the first day, with the loss of both openers — skipper Graeme Smith (21) and Andrew Puttick (0).
Batting first after winning the toss, the local side was soon in trouble, losing three wickets with just 36 runs on the board at Colombo Cricket Club ground.
A brief partnership of 60 runs in 70 balls between wicketkeeper batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana and skipper Thilan Samaraweera halted the collapse and brought some respectability to the score.
Kaluwitharana scored a stylish run-a-ball 51, hitting eight boundaries.
Top-scorer Chamara Silva compiled a patient 68 runs in 130 balls and shared 77 runs, the largest partnership of the innings, with Chanaka Wijesinghe, who made 42.
Silva hit 10 fours in his innings while Wijesinghe scored 32 runs off boundaries.
Ntini ended his 13-over spell with 5-37, while paceman Nantie Hayward and left-arm spinner Nicky Boje picked up two wickets each.
Sri Lankan paceman Pacer Dilhara Fernando accounted for both South African wickets and recorded 2-16 in four overs. — Sapa-AP
Scores:
Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI 251 all out in 79,4 overs (Chamara Silva 68, Romesh Kaluwitharana 51, Chanaka Wijesinghe 42, Makhaya Ntini 5-37, Nantie Hayward 2-43, Nicky Boje 2-70)
South Africa 34 for two at stumps (Graeme Smith 21, Dilhara Fernando 2-16)