Live Cricket Score of South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Day 4 at Port Elizabeth

South Africa had a near perfect day on day 3 to take control of the first Test in Port Elizabeth against Sri Lanka. Vernon Philander ensured the Sri Lankan tail didn't wag long enough to overtake his side's first innings total and as a result, his five-wicket haul eked out a crucial 81-run lead. And the home side this time put up a much-improved batting performance and went on to score the runs in quick succession with rain making an interruption on a couple of occasions.

They managed to score 351 in just 80 overs with a run rate of almost 4.4 to take the game away from the visitors. Opener Stephen Cook scored his third Test century and was well supported by the likes of Dean Elgar, who made 52 and Hashim Amla, who showed signs of returning to form with a brisk 48. Sri Lanka struck late thrice in the day in the space of seven overs but Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock added 74 off just 92 deliveries to stamp the home side's authority on the game. South Africa will now consider rain as a factor despite two full days available for them to force a win. Will they declare after setting a target of 500? We will find out as the day progresses. Welcome to our live blog for the fourth day's play.

What a talent this young man is! Aged just 21, he continues to press the right buttons and now he has come up with a brisk half-century in a tough situation. He reached his fifty off just 75 balls and if Sri Lanka can manage to not lose another wicket today, then the pressure will be on South Africa on the final day.