Left-hander Lahiru Thirimanne and captain Angelo Mathews were trying to extricate Sri Lanka from trouble as the home side reached 182-4 at tea on the third day of the first test in reply to South Africa’s 455-9 declared.
Thirimanne was on 32 and Mathews on 24 as the Sri Lanka middle order struggled to capitalize on opener Upul Tharanga’s innings of 83.
Tharanga, 20 in an overnight score of 30 without loss, marked his return to test cricket after more than six years with his fourth half century.
Earlier, pace bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel shared three wickets in the morning session to peg back the home side.
