Suranga Lakmal took four wickets and gave Sri Lanka a slight edge on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at St George's Park on Monday.

Lakmal took four for 62 in 23 overs as South Africa reached 267 for six at the end of a day on which they failed to capitalise on a century opening partnership between Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar.

Opening bowler Lakmal pegged back the hosts by taking the first three wickets and later dismissed South African captain Faf du Plessis. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath took two wickets, including that of JP Duminy, South Africa's top scorer with a fluent 63.

SCORES IN BRIEF

SOUTH AFRICA: First innings 267 for 6 (Cook 59, Elgar 45, Amla 20, Duminy 63, Du Plessis 37, De Kock 25 not out; Lakmal 4-62, Herath 2-48)