Gibbs stars for Proteas

Herschelle Gibbs put his poor recent form behind him to strike a dashing 92 and put South Africa in control of the second and final Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Muttiah Muralitharan kept Sri Lanka in the hunt with four wickets, including Gibbs, but South Africa were 257 for seven at the close of day three - 297 ahead.

Gibbs excelled at the top of the order, scoring 11 fours and one six to help put the Proteas in the driving seat. And with the dangerous Mark Boucher unbeaten on 28, the Proteas will be confident of setting Sri Lanka a testing target as they attempt to level the series at 1-1.

South Africa, with Gibbs and Andrew Hall at the crease, were six for nought overnight and added a further 70 runs before Farveez Maharoof had Hall (32) caught by Prasanna Jayawardene off the shoulder of his bat.

Gibbs, who has been struggling of late - passing 20 just once in his last 11 innings - soon celebrated his 22nd Test fifty.

Despite his assured display, though, South Africa were rocked by two quickfire run-outs as first Jacques Rudolph (15) and then Hashim Amla (eight) both failed to make an impression.

It looked like Muralitharan - who was at his beguiling best as Sri Lanka romped to victory in the series opener - would again haunt the Proteas when he had Gibbs caught by Sanath Jayasuriya eight short of his century.

He also snapped up Ashwell Prince (17) and AB de Villiers (33) before Shaun Pollock became his fourth victim seven overs from the end when he dragged a long-hop straight to Upul Tharanga, having scored 14.

But with Boucher and Nicky Boje (five not out) at the crease, the visiting team are favourites to push on and set a tricky total well in excess of 300.