The SA team reached 80/4 before the rain began to fall.
South Africa were saved by the weather on Wednesday after an onslaught from Sri Lanka’s bowling attack left the hosts flailing on a rain-interrupted opening day of the first Test in Durban.
With less than 21 overs being contested due to the weather, the Proteas might have been relieved to call it quits for the day, with Sri Lanka’s bowlers having ripped through their top order.
After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, the Proteas scored well from the first over, but they paid for their aggression as wickets tumbled throughout the first session.
Opening batters Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi both fell for single figures, and by the 18th over the hosts were left reeling at 54/4.
Poor weather
Rain started falling in the 21st over and the players left the field for an early lunch, but they never returned, with the weather refusing to play ball.
When play was stopped, Proteas captain Temba Bavuma looked set to lead a recovery attempt. He was on 23 not out and Kyle Verreynne was unbeaten on nine, and the hosts were on 80/4 in the 21st over of their first innings.
Bavuma was given two chances, first being dropped on one run, and then again when he was though to be caught behind off a Lahiru Kumara delivery on 20 but was saved by a late call for a front-foot no ball.
The skipper will hope to kick on when play resumes at Kingsmead today (9.30am) provided the weather conditions clear up.
