Sri Lanka all out on 180; SA 23-0

Sri Lanka recovered from captain Tillakaratne Dilshan's early rush of blood to battle to 76 for three at lunch on the first day of the first test against South Africa on Thursday.
Sri Lanka were sent in to bat by South Africa in cloudy conditions providing plenty of assistance to the bowlers on a well-grassed pitch.
Dilshan controlled himself for his first half-dozen deliveries before rashly trying to on-drive a swinging delivery from Dale Steyn and looping a catch to Vernon Philander at wide mid-on.
Dilshan was out for six, bringing former captain Kumar Sangakkara to the crease but he lasted just three balls, scoring a single before Philander got a delivery to rear up at him and he edged the ball to second slip where Jacques Kallis took a well-judged catch lunging to his left.
Sri Lanka were teetering on 12 for two but Tharanga Paranavitana and the experienced Mahela Jayawardene batted with great concentration in a sensible third-wicket stand of 54.
The session looked in danger of ending disappointingly for South Africa, but a hushed crowd burst to life four overs before lunch when Philander made a delivery hold its line to the left-handed Paranavitana and bowled him through the gate for 32.
Jayawardene went to lunch on 23 not out with Thilan Samaraweera on six.
Philander was the best of the South African bowlers with figures of two for 30 from nine overs.
Steyn took one for 13 in six overs but the world's number one ranked bowler only occasionally produced his full pace.
Steyn's wicket was, however, his 250th in tests, the 28-year-old reaching the landmark in his 49th match.
Only Dennis Lillee has taken 250 wickets in fewer tests, the Australian fast bowler reaching the milestone in his 48th match.

Dilshan confident about the finance obligations

Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan said on Wednesday he was confident his board would honour their obligations and pay the team's outstanding salaries before the first test against South Africa starting on December 15 in Centurion.
Sri Lanka's players have not been paid since the World Cup ended in April but Sports Minister Mahindanda Altuthgamage promised on Tuesday they would be paid 65 percent of the outstanding amount within three days and the rest by January.
Dilshan told reporters on Wednesday he accepted Altuthgamage's word.
"I think they will try and sort it out within the next week. That's the news I've got from the cricket board. They are going to sort out all the payments," he said,
"We have had discussions, myself and the cricket association, the last few weeks and they promised they will sort it out next week. They are definitely going to sort it out before the first test. As a captain, I have to focus on cricket and not worry about the payments."
Sri Lanka are chasing their first series win in South Africa after losing in 1997/98, 2000/01 and 2002/03 and Dilshan said it was crucial they adapted to the conditions as quickly as possible.
"We haven't played a test match here for a while, but we have played one-day series on-and-off in South Africa. Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara have played a lot of cricket in South Africa and if we can get ready for these conditions, I can say it will be a good series," the opening batsman said.
Dilshan was appointed as Sri Lanka's captain after the World Cup since when they have lost test series to England, Australia and Pakistan. He said the team still relied heavily on his two predecessors, Sangakkara and Jayawardena.
"We know the last few series our batting didn't click. That's the main goal for us, to see that our batting unit can put some runs on the board," he said.
"We are carrying a few young players. It's not easy coming to South Africa, especially as they have been playing good cricket. We can't do any mistakes here, they are a good team."
The Centurion test is the first of three with the others scheduled for Durban from December 26 and Cape Town from January 3.

Graham Smith backs SL players

South African cricketers have added their voices to the call to Sri Lanka Cricket(SLC) to settle the outstanding amounts due to the Sri Lankan players.
"We want to show our support for Tillakaratne Dilshan and our fellow professional cricketers from Sri Lanka on this issue," Sport24 quoted South African captain Graeme Smith, as saying.
"It is far from ideal that the Sri Lankan team is about to start a tough Test series and ODI series here in South Africa without having been paid any of their remuneration for the last eight months," he added.

According to reports, SLC has not paid the country's cricketers since March 2011 and a total amount of approximately six million pounds is owed to the players.