'Didn't expect so many overs in the sub-continent' – Keshav Maharaj

After Sri Lanka dominated the first session, Maharaj provided South Africa their first breakthrough in the 35th over, and went on to take seven more to be the star of the opening day.

His eight-wicket spell, which reduced Sri Lanka to 277/9, is the record for best innings figures by a visiting bowler to the island nation.

Maharaj bowled 35 overs, the most from the South Africa camp, on the day in Colombo on Friday, 20 July.

"It is nice to get to bowl overs and I didn't expect so many overs in the sub-continent," he said after the day's play. "But I am really happy with the way things went and obviously, it was nice how the boys performed today.

"The body gets a bit sore, and Faf (du Plessis) obviously saw that I was tired and gave me a few overs' break. And then I came back and did ask for the ball. So yeah, the body gets a bit sore but the fingers keep rolling."

The South Africa spinner admitted that eight wickets was much more than he had anticipated.

"I love to take the new ball. The first thing tomorrow morning is to take the last wicket," he added.

"It's a little quicker here. Galle was a lot slower and I just thought there was a bit something in terms of bounce, and we saw that with the short ball being utilised."

The only thing that disappointed Maharaj took place at the start of the day, when du Plessis lost the toss. "It was unfortunate that we lost the toss, but I think we managed to control things.

"It's important that we get the last wicket early tomorrow morning and hopefully, our batters can settle in for a win."