Jacobs and Amla put South Africa A on top

South Africa A 365 for 6 (Jacobs 131, Ahmed Amla 106) v Sri Lanka A
Scorecard

	Ahmed Amla made a patient century to rescue South Africa A © Cricinfo Ltd Enlarge

Centuries from Arno Jacobs and Ahmed Amla placed South Africa A in a strong position after the first day of their four-day game against Sri Lanka A.

South Africa got off to a shaky start after winning the toss as medium-pacer Suranga Lakmal struck twice to remove Heino Kuhn and then Alviro Petersen. Ishara Amerasinghe dismissed Andrew Puttick in the next over to leave the hosts at 43 for 3.

Amla and Jacobs repaired the damage with a 242-run partnership as Sri Lanka's bowlers were made to toil. Jacobs, whose previous first-class innings was a double century against the Dolphins, was the aggressive one, slamming 19 fours on his way to his 12th first-class century. Amla ended a poor run - he averaged just 16.83 in the recent Emerging Players tournament in Brisbane - as he made a measured106.

Just as the pair were taking South Africa towards a dominant position, they fell in the space of four balls. No. 7 Johann Louw's battling unbeaten 42 ensured South Africa took the opening day's honours. CJ de Villiers, who made 17, was the other not-out batsman.