In a dramatic day of Test cricket, South Africa demolished Sri Lanka for a mere 42 runs in just 13.5 overs during their opening Test in Durban, marking Sri Lanka's lowest-ever Test total and the ninth-lowest in history. The star of the show was South African pacer Marco Jansen, who claimed a career-best 7-13 in a fiery display. The 24-year-old dismantled Sri Lanka's batting lineup with pace, bounce, and swing, making history by taking seven wickets within the first seven overs of a Test innings.
Sri Lanka had begun the day on a promising note, bowling South Africa out for 191 in their first innings, with Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando impressing. However, their own batting effort unraveled quickly. Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne fell early, followed by a procession of batsmen succumbing to Jansen's relentless attack. Kamindu Mendis was the only player to reach double digits, scoring 13 before being dismissed.
South Africa capitalized on their advantage in their second innings, declaring at 366/5, thanks to centuries from Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs. With a mammoth lead of 516, Sri Lanka's chances of mounting a comeback seemed slim. Despite some resistance from Dhananjaya de Silva and Dinesh Chandimal, who forged a 95-run partnership, the team was eventually bowled out, handing South Africa a comprehensive 233-run victory.
This loss has significant implications for Sri Lanka, dropping them to fifth place in the ICC World Test Championship standings. Meanwhile, South Africa moved up to second, bolstering their chances of securing a spot in the WTC final. Jansen's all-round heroics earned him the Player of the Match award, highlighting his importance to South Africa's resurgence.
With a 1-0 lead in the series, South Africa will look to seal the two-match series in the second Test, starting December 5. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, must address their batting frailties to avoid another historic defeat.
