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Proteas will have to dig deep - Amla

IN ACTION: Hashim Amla of South Africa during Day Two of the second Sunfoil Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Sahara Park Kingsmead in Durban yesterday. Photo: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images
IN ACTION: Hashim Amla of South Africa during Day Two of the second Sunfoil Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Sahara Park Kingsmead in Durban yesterday. Photo: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images

BATSMAN Hashim Amla said early wickets were key to South Africa's recovery after they were bowled out for 168 in their first innings against Sri Lanka in the second Test at Kingsmead yesterday.

"We're still getting over being bowled out for less than 170," said Amla, who top-scored for South Africa with 54.

"We need to dig deep, take early wickets and make sure we come out on top."

Left-arm seamer Chanakara Welegedara did most of the damage, destroying the top order and returning figures of five for 52, while left-arm spinner Rangana Herath finished with four for 49.

In making their lowest total ever against Sri Lanka, South Africa faced a deficit of 163 runs at stumps. Sri Lanka faced two overs at the end of the day and lost the wicket of Tillakaratne Dilshan (4) after he was caught at first slip, giving Dale Steyn his first wicket of the match.

While Marchant de Lange stole the headlines earlier in the day, taking a seven-wicket haul on debut, Sri Lanka boasted their own prize in newcomer Dinesh Chandimal.

The wicketkeeper contributed a valuable 58 runs with the bat, took three catches and had Imran Tahir stumped off the bowling of Herath.

It was the first time in Test cricket a debutant wicketkeeper had been involved in four dismissals and scored a half century.

South Africa lost their first three wickets immediately after lunch and, reeling on 27 for three, it was up to Amla and AB de Villiers to rebuild the innings.

The pair added 76 runs off 148 balls before De Villiers (25) went after a wide half-volley and nicked the ball to second slip.

Amla followed shortly afterwards, getting a faint edge to Welegedara and to give Chandimal his second catch of the day.

Steyn offered some resistance with his 29 not out and smashed two fours and two sixes.

Jacques Rudolph (7) was the first to depart, having played a poor shot to give Thisara Perera his only wicket of the match.

Graeme Smith (15) followed shortly afterwards.

With barely time to blink, Jacques Kallis joined the pair in the change-room, failing to score.

"Sri Lanka bowled well but there were a lot of soft dismissals on our part," said Amla.

"Tomorrow (today) is a bowling day and we're concentrating on that."

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