South African pacers Vernon Philander and Kyle Abbott wrecked havoc on Sri Lankan batters as the hosts staged a fight back after being bowled out cheaply on the second day of the opening Test here at St. George's Park on Tuesday.
When bad light forced an early finish to Day Two, Sri Lanka were seven down for 181 and trailed by 105 runs with three wickets in hand. Dhananjaya de Silva was batting on 43 along with Dushmantha Chameera on 7 when bad light brought play to an early close to the day's play.
Philander and Abbott were pick of the Proteas bowlers as they saw through the Sri Lankan top order. Both picked three and two wickets each and made sure their team staged a terrific fight-back after being bowled out for 286 early on Day Two.
Resuming the day at 267 for six, the Proteas lost their last four wickets for just for 19 runs. Sri Lankan fast bowler Suranga Lakmal took his maiden five-wicket haul and finished with figures of five for 63.
This was lowest first innings Test total at St George's Park in nine years.