Rossouw century puts South Africa in command

Rilee Rossouw hit a breezy century as South Africa A batted themselves into a strong position on the first day of the first unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A at Pallekele.

Rossouw hit 13 fours and three sixes in his 131 off 154 deliveries and was involved in two century stands which formed the bulk of the South African score of 339 for 5. Coming in at the fall of opener Stephen Cook, Rossouw added 116 runs for the second wicket with Dean Elgar, who made 74 off 135 balls.

Sri Lanka struck back with two wickets in two overs, as offspinner Janaka Gunaratne had Elgar caught by Sachithra Senanayake and Stiaan van Zyl was caught behind without scoring off legspinner Seekkuge Prasanna. However, Rossouw combined with Jonathan Vandiar for another century partnership as the duo added 120 runs for the fourth wicket. Rossouw was finally caught behind by Kaushal Silva off Gunaratne with the score on 287.

South Africa seemed to be heading towards stumps without any further damage, but Vandiar was trapped leg before by Senanayake in the penultimate over of the day, having made 68 off 144 deliveries. However, with Heino Kuhn - who has ten first-class hundreds - unbeaten on 33 at stumps, South Africa will be confident of easing past 400 on the second day.