Muralitharan strikes leave South Africa on the ropes

COLOMBO, July 31 (Reuters) Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan snapped up two wickets to leave South Africa in trouble on 392 for six at lunch on the final day of the first test today.

Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher led the tourists' rearguard action with a brave 80 from 141 balls but the loss of skipper Ashwell Prince and the experienced Herschelle Gibbs during the morning were major set-backs.

Left-arm spinner Nicky Boje, the last recognised batsman before a long tail, batted out the second hour of the morning with Boucher to finish on 18 not out.

South Africa trail by 195 runs, needing to bat another two sessions to complete an unlikely escape.

Muralitharan wheeled away unchanged throughout the session to finish with four for 121 from 55 overs, nearing a 17th 10-wicket match haul following his four for 41 in the first innings.

The 34-year-old off spinner needed just six deliveries in the morning to strike when Prince, surprised by extra bounce, edged the ball low to Mahela Jayawardene at slip.

Prince added just one run to his overnight score, finishing with 61 from 182 deliveries.

Gibbs, batting down the order after a viral infection forced him off the field during Sri Lanka's marathon first innings, added 38 with Boucher before patting a return catch back to Muralitharan off a low full toss.

Sri Lanka's bowlers pressed hard for further inroads and there were several strong appeals against Boucher and Boje.

Boucher was also dropped by wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene after a thin leg-side glance off Muralitharan just before lunch.

The second test of the two-match series will be played at the P. Sara Oval, also in Colombo, starting on Friday.

REUTERS PM DS1240