GALLE, Aug 4: Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene on Wednesday praised South Africa's bowling on the opening day of the first Test on Wednesday.

"I thought they bowled to a fine line and length with the field set well, so it was hard to get runs," said Jayawardene, who struck an unbeaten 116 in a team score of 279-7.

"The two early wickets from (Shaun) Pollock prevented us from dominating. He was brilliant. He had the experience and knew what to do," said Jayawardene. "He bowled as straight as possible, which is the best way to go on this kind of wicket for a paceman. I thought the South Africans bowled to a plan and put pressure on us," he said.

"Their left-arm spinner (Nicky Boje) got appreciable turn too," said Jayawardene, who had also struck a century when Sri Lanka beat South Africa at the same venue four years ago.

Jayawardene was not surprised the visiting side had picked only one specialist spinner, leaving out other left-armer Robin Peterson. "They picked their best side, which is a balanced one. But no way can this pitch get better and they have the disadvantage of batting last."-AFP