Shamsi and Matthews the star performers on Day 1 of practice match between South Africa and Sri Lanka Board President's XI

by Saksham Mishra Saturday 7 July 2018

Aiden Markram (0)

©Reuters

Sri Lanka Board President's XI (287-10, Angelo Mathews 92, Kaushal Silva 76) lead South Africa (17-1, Tabraiz Shamsi 13.2-45-5, Shaun von Berg 17-82-2) by 217 runs.

Warm-up match, South Africa Tour of Sri Lanka at Colombo.
Day 1: Sri Lanka Board XI won the toss and elected to bat.

SLBD 113/1 (30 ovs) Kaushal Silva 50*, Dhananjaya de Silva 10*, D Gunathilaka 53: S von Berg 1/18. #SLvSA
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) July 7, 2018

The President's XI won the toss and opted to bat. Openers Danushka Gunathilaka (53) and Kaushal Silva (76) did not disappoint as they stitched an 84-run opening stand. Angelo Mathews (92) also dug deep to take the President's XI to 161 for 2 at one point.

However, it was left arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (13.2-45-5) who got South Africa back into the match as he spun a web around the middle order. Roshan Silva and Minod Bhanuka were dismissed for ducks as the Presidents XI's lower order collapsed.

#CSANews @shamsi90 was the star on a tough toiling day for the Proteas bowlers on the first day of their warm-up match. He took 5/45 as the hosts were bowled out for 287 #SLvSA https://t.co/nz2bKSRHKB pic.twitter.com/UpwkBvvxox
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) July 7, 2018

Shamsi's five-wicket haul helped South Africa dismiss the Board president's XI for 287 runs. Strangely, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada did not get a single wicket. Trying to make a comeback in the national team, Dale Steyn also met the same fate, though the hardworking day came as a fitness test for him. Steyn bowled 12 overs on the day.

In reply, South African opener Aiden Markram (0) was dismissed early as Lahiru Gamage who went through his defense. Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla were at the crease when the play stopped with South Africa trailing by 217 runs.