Rain comes to Proteas' rescue

South Africa were saved by the weather yesterday 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.

- Wesley Botton

With less than 21 overs being bowled 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 on a lively deck.

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.