Fernando brace restricts South Africa in Colombo

COLOMBO, July 27 (Reuters) Sri Lankan fast bowler Dilhara Fernando captured a pair of early wickets to help restrict South Africa to 78 for two at lunch on the first day of the opening test today.

Bowling full and straight on a pitch offering some early seam movement, Ferdando dismissed openers Andrew Hall (17) and Herschelle Gibbs (19) during a probing eight-over spell at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

Hall dragged a full-length delivery onto his stumps and Gibbs was defeated by a ball that nipped back off the pitch to clip his off stump.

The tourists had started well after winning the toss and opting to bat, but Fernando's double-strike stemmed the flow of runs with off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan starting his bowling stint with four consecutive maidens.

However, left-hander Jacques Rudolph, called up after injuries to skipper Graeme Smith (ankle) and Jacques Kallis (elbow), increased the tempo towards the end of the session, hitting five boundaries in his 29 not out.

At the other end, number four batsman Hashim Amla was unbeaten on nine.

Muralitharan suffered a minor injury scare when he spilt the webbing on his left hand while fielding his own bowling, but he resumed his unbroken six-over spell after his hand was strapped.

The second test of the two-match series will be played at the P Sara Oval, also in Colombo, from August 4.

REUTERS PM VV1312