South Africa v Sri Lanka, 2016-17

At Port Elizabeth, December 26-30, 2016. Toss: South Africa. South Africa won by 206 runs.
St George's Park seemed set to offer Sri Lanka their best opportunity of the series - until it emerged that enough grass had been left on the pitch to take Herath out of the equation. He was the only bowler the hosts felt could threaten them, as he had done at Durban in December 2011, when his nine wickets earned what is still Sri Lanka's only Test win in South Africa. But this time his left-arm spin yielded only three wickets in nearly 45 overs - not that anyone else was able to rise far enough above the conditions.

Events at Port Elizabeth tend to be shaped by the wind. If it comes in off the sea, and over the main scoreboard - an easterly - wickets fall. If it blows from beyond the Grandstand - a westerly - the pitch dries faster, and runs trickle off the bat more easily. Regardless, both batting and bowling at this grinch of a ground is hard work, which invariably makes for absorbing play. And David Boon, the match referee, made it a little bit harder on the first day by ordering the band to tone down their brassy garrulousness.

South Africa were reminded of the local challenges when their batsmen were made to look ordinary by Sri Lanka's seamers, led by Lakmal. Six of the top seven batted for over an hour and a half, and all reached 20, but no one passed 63. Cook put on 104 with Elgar - South Africa's first hundred opening partnership here since Barry Richards and Eddie Barlow managed 157 against Australia in March 1970. The other half-centurion, Duminy, seemed as irked with Boon as he was with himself for the ill considered sweep that helped Herath trap him in front. "I love the band," he said, "especially when they're shouting: 'JP, joulekker ding [you good thing]'."

The next day the wind barrelled in from over the scoreboard. With it went South Africa's four remaining wickets, allowing Lakmal to complete his first five-for in his 32nd Test, and seven of Sri Lanka's. Early on the third day, the visitors were dismissed for 205, and trailed by 81. Philander's alchemy of accuracy and awkward angles proved particularly poisonous. De Silva was the most patient of the batsmen, but he needed to spend longer than his two hours if Sri Lanka were to stay in the fight.

What was required was the innings Cook played later that day, a monument to those blessed with more substance than style. He compiled 117, having put on another century stand with Elgar. After du Plessis and de Kock hit brisk sixties, the declaration set Sri Lanka 488. By the close, despite the openers digging in for more than 32 overs, they were 240 for five. Mathews was their last hope, but he was dismissed for 58 in the third over of the fifth day, and South Africa wrapped things up after 70 minutes, Rabada and Maharaj splitting six wickets.
Man of the Match: S. C. Cook.