New S. Africa cap De Lange claims three scalps

Fast bowler Marchant de Lange made a dramatic entry into Test cricket when he took three Sri Lankan wickets on the first day of the second Test match here at Kingsmead on Monday. Sri Lanka were 197 for five at tea, and De Lange had figures of three for 38. Veteran Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene became the ninth batsman and first Sri Lankan to reach 10,000 runs in Test cricket when he opened his scoring with a single. Jayawardene made 31 before he was bowled by Morne Morkel. The tall, strongly-built De Lange had opening batsman Tharanga Paranavitana caught behind by Mark Boucher for 12 with his 12th ball in Test cricket. He followed up two balls into his next over when Kumar Sangakkara was caught behind for nought. In mid-afternoon De Lange ended a promising fifth-wicket stand of 45 between Thilan Samaraweera and Angelo Mathews when he held a sharp, right-handed return catch to dismiss Mathews for 30. Samaraweera was unbeaten on 40 at tea with new wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal showing aggressive intent as he hurried to 26 not out. De Lange could not hold a chance, leaping at mid-on, by Chandimal against leg-spinner Imran Tahir when he was on 25 in the last over before tea. Tahir picked up a wicket when captain Tillekeratne Dilshan top-edged a sweep against a full toss and was caught at fine leg by Morkel for 47 - the highest score of the series so far for Sri Lanka. De Lange, 21, won his first cap when Vernon Philander failed to recover from a knee injury suffered while bowling in the nets on Saturday. Before Philander's injury, De Lange was due to be released to play for the Titans franchise in a domestic first-class match. De Lange was brought into the attack after six overs and immediately impressed with his ability to generate pace and lift. He drew Paranavitana into a drive against a full-length delivery after sending down several short balls, then forced Sangakkara into a hurried jab against a fast ball just outside his off stump. Dilshan backed up his decision to bat first on an even-paced pitch with some aggressive strokes at the start of the innings but was forced to become more circumspect after losing his first two partners. He made his 47 off 69 balls with six fours.