Sri Lanka was bowled out for a mere 42 runs by South Africa’s Marc Jansen, who took seven wickets, leading to the joint ninth-lowest innings total in Test history. South Africa set a first innings total of 191, with Temba Bavuma top-scoring with 70 runs. The Sri Lankan batsmen struggled significantly, with Kamindu Mendes being the top scorer at just 13 runs.
During the first Test at Kingsmead, Durban, Sri Lanka suffered a historic collapse, bowled out for just 42 runs in response to South Africa’s first innings total of 191. Marc Jansen delivered a remarkable performance, claiming seven wickets for 13 runs, establishing a new career-best. Sri Lanka’s innings, lasting a mere 13.5 overs, marks the joint ninth-lowest total in Test cricket history, surpassing Bangladesh’s previous lowest score of 53 at this venue. Gerald Coetzee backed Jansen with figures of 2 for 18, while Kagiso Rabada claimed the remaining wicket. Despite a modest target of 191 set by South Africa, Sri Lanka’s batsmen faltered significantly, with Kamindu Mendes’ 13 representing the highest score amid five batsmen failing to register any runs. Earlier in the innings, Temba Bavuma, returning from injury, played a pivotal role for South Africa, scoring 70 runs. As the two teams pursue victory in this two-Test series, the stakes remain high for both sides in the World Test Championship.
This match highlights the competitive nature of Test cricket, especially as teams vie for a position in the World Test Championship final. The significance of batting resilience and bowling prowess is on full display, with Marc Jansen’s spectacular performance underscoring the importance of effective pace bowling in seam-friendly conditions. The collapse of Sri Lanka indicates both a tactical challenge and the need for improvement in their batting lineup, putting them at a disadvantage in this pivotal series.
In conclusion, Sri Lanka’s record-low score of 42 runs is a stark reminder of the challenges they face in the current Test series. Marc Jansen’s exceptional bowling performance set the tone for South Africa, while the Sri Lankan squad must regroup to avoid similar outcomes in upcoming matches. The implications of this result are profound, as both teams seek to maintain momentum in their quest for the World Test Championship.
Original Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
