Last Updated on 1 week by Charbel Coorey
Sri Lanka have been blown away for 42 in just 13.5 overs in Durban. This is their lowest-ever score in a Test innings, beating their 71 all-out way back in August 1994. It is also the lowest-ever score at Kingsmead.
Their batting lineup had very little appetite for the fight against an excellent bowling attack, with a number of players falling to loose shots outside the offstump. It was a shocking display. Angelo Mathews’ waft outside offstump was reflective of the entire batting display. Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva also fell to loose drives. The tail were then out swinging.
That being said, Marco Jansen was magnificent. The tall left-arm quick ripped through the Sri Lankan lineup with a superb display of seam bowling on a pitch offering movement and bounce. He struggled with front-foot no balls at times, but he often followed it up with wickets and ended with his best-ever figures of 7/13.
Reactions: Marco Jansen leads the way as Sri Lanka rolled for 42
“South Africa is the toughest place to bat in Test cricket. Change my mind.” wrote South Africa batsman Rassie van der Dussen on X. “70 runs on that wicket…. worth way waaaay more,” wrote fellow Protea Tabraiz Shamsi about Temba Bavuma’s fine 70 during South Africa’s first innings.
Here are some reactions to the huge rout in Durban, including more gold from ESPNcricinfo’s Andrew Fidel Fernando. “Sri Lanka all out for 42 inside 14 overs in Durban. The good news, though, is they’ve managed to avoid the follow on.”
Earlier, South Africa were bowled out for 191. Skipper Bavuma top scored with 70. Just minutes later, they were back out batting with a lead of 149.
Should South Africa go on to win this Test – which they are well expected to do – they will go one step closer to reaching the World Test Championship final.
