DIGEST/CRICKET: Sri Lanka off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan claimed his 650th victim as South Africa were bowled out for 361 on the first day of the second Test yesterday.

The hosts, leading the two-match series 1-0, dominated the morning and evening sessions after the tourists had won the toss and batted on a fine batting pitch at the P Saravanamuttu Stadium.

But South Africa rallied in the afternoon with a record 161-run partnership between stand-in captain Ashwell Prince (86) and middle-order batsman AB de Villiers (95).

All-rounder Shaun Pollock provided late resistance with a whirlwind 57 from 70 balls in the final hour of the day.

South Africa were aggressive against Muralitharan, but could not prevent the off spinner from extending his career tally to 650 wickets and finishing with 5 for 128 from 33.4 overs.