SL defy controversial call to stun Proteas

The start of South Africa’s first Test against Sri Lanka was hit by confusion and controversy before a run had even been scored as the tourists took the honours on the opening day of the series.Sri Lanka finished the day in Durban on 1-49 after their inexperienced bowling attack stunned the Proteas, bowling the hosts out for just 235.

The early controversy was sparked by the refusal of a Sri Lankan player review, which prevented the tourists from taking their second early wicket.Hashim Amla was given not out by umpire Aleem Dar following an appeal for leg before wicket, two balls after left-arm opening bowler Vishwa Fernando had Dean Elgar caught behind in just the second over.New Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne conferred with Fernando and wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella and eventually signalled that he wanted a review.But he was told he had taken too long and the decision was not sent to television umpire Ian Gould.

But an analysis by SuperSport television showed the total time between Dar turning down the appeal and Karunaratne asking for a review was 12 seconds, three seconds inside the allowable 15 seconds to ask for a review.Replays showed the ball had pitched in line and would have hit the stumps, which would have resulted in the original decision being overturned if a review had been allowed.

The lapse was not costly as Amla made only three before he was caught at second slip off Suranga Lakmal for three in the sixth over.The Lankans shook off the incident, seamer Fernando bagging four wickets for the day as the Proteas were bowled out in a spicy Kingsmead pitch.Karunaratne (28no) and the attacking Oshada Fernando (17no) will resume on the second morning, hoping to lay the platform for a sizeable first-innings lead.Sri Lanka opener Lahiru Thirimanne was their only wicket to fall, batting for close to half an hour before he was caught by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock for a duck off seamer Dale Steyn.

The encounter resumes at 1.30pm today;

Courtesy : Newsradio