Lahiru Kumara took 2-35 as Sri Lanka used the seamer friendly conditions at Kingsmead to reduce hosts South Africa to 80 for four at lunch on the opening day of the first test in Durban on Wednesday.

There are only 17 Test matches left to be played in the current WTC cycle, and no team has confirmed their spot in the finals, with teams in close contention for the title of being crowned the best Test team in the world in Lord’s next year.

Sri Lanka won the toss under heavy Durban skies and chose to bowl first. It was the expected choice for Dhananjaya de Silva to make - not only is the ball likely to swing early on the day on account of the atmospheric conditions, Sri Lanka have won twice batting second at this venue.