1st Test Day 3 SA 455/9d V SL 283/9

Stumps: Five wickets from bowler Dale Steyn has helped South Africa seize control after day three of the first Test match with Sri Lanka.

After they resumed on 30-0, Sri Lanka soon lost opener Kaushal Silva off the bowling of Steyn, before senior batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene fell before lunch to leave the hosts on 104-3.

Upul Tharanga had look assured during a fantastic knock that saw him record 14 fours and one six, but JP Duminy struck to take the wicket of the opener for 83.

Much of Sri Lanka's hopes rested on the shoulders of Angelo Mathews, and despite him reaching his half-century, wickets continued to tumble around him as Steyn left Sri Lanka in danger of having to follow on.

Mathews managed to take his side to within 200 runs of South Africa's total, but his dismissal late in the day for 89 left Sri Lanka on 272-8, and it got worse for the home side with the final ball of the day when Suranga Lakmal was removed for six to leave Sri Lanka on 283-9 at stumps.

Tea: South Africa have taken the wicket of Upul Tharanga, but Sri Lanka have made steady progress by reaching 182-4 at tea.

The Proteas nabbed three wickets before lunch thanks to Dale Steyn and Jean-Paul Duminy.

Tharanga continued to lead Sri Lanka's attack, but the 29-year-old was out stumped after hitting 83 runs from 155 balls, swaying the momentum in South Africa's direction again.

However, Lahiru Thirimanne (32 not out) and Angelo Mathews (24 not out) were able to frustrate their opponents' bowlers by ending the afternoon session unscathed.

Sri Lanka trail by 273 runs

Lunch: Sri Lanka trail South Africa by 351 runs after they reached 104-3 at lunch on day three of the first Test match in Galle.

After starting the day on 30-0, the hosts soon lost their first wicket when Kaushal Silva was removed by Dale Steynwithout adding to his overnight score of eight.

However, Kumar Sangakkara put on 59 runs for the second wicket with Upul Tharanga, who had eased to 65 with 12 fours, but the wicket-keeper fell for 24 to give South Africa plenty of encouragement before the interval.

It appeared as though Sri Lanka would make lunch without the loss of further wickets, but with the final ball of the session, Steyn trapped Mahela Jayawardene in front of his stumps to give South Africa the advantage.