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Monday, 26 December 2011

New cap De Lange rocks Sri Lanka


DURBAN: Fast bowler Marchant de Lange made a dramatic entry into Test cricket when he took the first two Sri Lankan wickets on the first day of the second Test match here at Kingsmead on Monday.

Sri Lanka were 112 for three at lunch with Mahela Jayawardene on 27. When he scored his first run Jayawardene became the ninth batsman and first Sri Lankan to reach 10,000 runs in Test cricket.

De Lange had opening batsman Tharanga Paranavitana caught behind by Mark Boucher for 12 with his 12th ball in Test cricket. He followed up two balls into his next over when Kumar Sangakkara was caught behind for nought.

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir picked up the third wicket when captain Tillekeratne Dilshan top-edged a sweep and was caught at fine leg by Morne Morkel for 47.

The tall De Lange, 21, won his first cap when Vernon Philander failed to recover from a knee injury suffered while bowling in the nets on Saturday.

Before Philander's injury, De Lange was due to be released to play for the Titans franchise in a domestic first-class match.

De Lange was brought into the attack after six overs and immediately impressed with his ability to generate pace and lift. He drew Paranavitana into a drive against a full-length delivery after sending down several short balls, then forced Sangakkara into a hurried jab against a fast ball just outside his off stump.

Sri Lanka, beaten by an innings and 81 runs in the first Test at Centurion, also brought in a new cap in wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal, who replaced Kaushal Silva.

Dilshan backed up his decision to bat first on an even-paced pitch with some aggressive strokes at the start of the innings but was forced to become more circumspect after losing his first two partners. He made his 47 off 69 balls with six fours. (AFP)
 
AFP

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