Live cricket score: Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 2nd Test, Day 3, South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 2014

It was a day of attrition at the Sinhalese Sport Club (SSC). Mahela Jayawardene's 165 and Niroshan Dickwella (72) helped Sri Lanka go past 400 before they were finally bowled out for 421. In reply, South Africa lost both openers early before Faf du Plessis (36) and skipper, Hashim Amla (46*) joined forces to stem the rot. Faf was dismissed just before stumps as the visitors ended the day at 98/3.The pitch is aiding the spinners, and Sri Lanka will look to rattle through South Africa's middle-order. On the other hand, the visitors will look to consolidate their position and build a platform.

On a pitch that was ideal for spinners, Hashim Amla led from the front for his team, scoring his 28th Test fifty. The knock included 4 boundaries and came from 140 balls. This was his first half-century as South Africa's captain. With AB de Villiers looking very solid at the other end, the visitors will be looking forward to this pair to take them forward.

AB de Villiers started off in a positive manner, and took a particular liking for Suranga Lakmal. The pacer nearly had the last laugh though. He forced AB into gloving a leg-side short ball that nearly carried through to the keeper. Much to the surprise of the batsman, the keeper claimed the catch but replays suggested otherwise. A massive moment in the match, and South Africa would be a very relieved team.

Dilruwan Perera turned the match on its head by dismissing AB de Villiers (37) and Quinton de Kock (0) in one over as the visitors slid from a comfortable 150/3 to an edgy 150/5. AB was trapped in front, and even a review couldn't save him while Quinton de Kock played down the wrong line to be castled for 0. Sri Lanka were cock- a-hoop and Perera's figures had improved to 3/33.

Hashim Amla played a defiant knock, keeping the Sri Lankans at bay as South Africa went into Lunch at 163/5. JP Duminy, too, has looked solid during his stay, so far.

JP Duminy struggled to get moving in the post Lunch session, getting to just 3 off 57 deliveries. He was all at sea against the left-arm spin of Rangana Herath, opting to pad away a number of deliveries spinning in from the rough.

He was almost caught out with one such delivery, and was only saved after the review showed that the ball was clipping the top of the off-stump.

This prompted the left-hander to look to play the ball a lot more. He stepped out to Herath, bit missed the ball completely. Dickwella collected the ball smartly and Duminy was caught way short of the crease.

SL were in a spot to put themselves in a better position as Lakmal forced Amla, who was batting brilliantly on 93, to hit on the up. However, Kaushal Silva, fielding at cover, put down a tough chance to send back the RSA skipper.

Dilruwan Perera added to his wicket tally by removing Vernon Philander out bowled for 9. This was after the South African skipper Hashim Amla went on to reach his 22nd Test century. It was a knock of fabulous shots and incredible discipline. He also became the first ever South African skipper to score a hundred in Sri Lanka.

Dale Steyn frustrated the hosts with a dogged 71-ball 30 before he was out caught to give Herath his 3rd wicket. The right-hander mixed caution with aggression well to help RSA overcome the follow-on mark, and he slammed a couple of lusty blows to reduce the deficit.

He was finally out, trying to smash Herath out of the ground, and was caught at long-off by Sangakkara.

Hashim Amla continued with his dogged display in fine fashion, and he was given good company by Imran Tahir as the duo shared a patient stand to keep SL at bay.

Herath finally broke through the 98-ball stand as he had Tahir out caught at mid-on for 15.

Morne Morkel's innings lasted just 1 delivery as he was out caught to give Perera his 5-wicket haul.

Sri Lanka ended with a massive lead of 139.

The Sri Lankan openers saw off the remaining overs of the day with relative ease and took the team to 11/0 at Stumps, with a lead of 150.

The only incident of note was AB de Villiers, surprisingly, putting down a tough chance at second slip off Morne Morkel. Upul Tharanga was the beneficiary.