Historic Collapse: Sri Lanka Bowled Out for 42 in Test Against South Africa

Sri Lanka experienced a historic collapse, scoring only 42 runs in their first Test against South Africa in Durban, marking their lowest total ever. Marco Jansen made headlines with a career-best performance of 7 wickets for 13 runs, as South Africa took a commanding lead of 281 runs at the end of day two. Despite recent accomplishments, Sri Lanka faced a major setback in this Test series.

In a historic day of Test cricket, Sri Lanka’s team faced a devastating collapse, bowled out for a mere 42 runs within 14 overs during their first Test against South Africa in Durban. Marco Jansen achieved remarkable figures of 7 wickets for just 13 runs, marking a significant milestone as the first player in over a century to take seven wickets in the opening seven overs of a Test innings. This performance also contributed to Sri Lanka’s lowest Test score ever and tied for the ninth lowest in the history of the format.

After South Africa managed to score 191 runs, Sri Lanka’s formidable bowling attack appeared to have potential at lunch. However, as their batting lineup crumbled under the pressure, Jansen and his compatriots took full advantage of the lively pitch conditions at Kingsmead. The South African team ended day two favorably, having reached 132 runs for the loss of three wickets in their second innings, thereby establishing a commanding lead of 281 runs over Sri Lanka.

The second day commenced with South Africa resuming play at 80 for 4 after a rain-impacted opening day. Despite losing initial batsmen, including Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder, South Africa managed to extend their lead substantially. Contributions from Temba Bavuma, who scored a brilliant 70, and late partnerships by Mulder and Kagiso Rabada complemented Jansen’s and the bowling unit’s extraordinary performance against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s batting order collapsed in rapid succession, struggling against South Africa’s aggressive bowling attack. Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka fell quickly, leading to a dismal score of 32 for 5 before ultimately succumbing. The innings concluded with five ducks, highlighting the batting team’s difficulties, while Jansen took the final wicket with a caught and bowled delivery.

With Aiden Markram leading the score for South Africa with 47 runs in their second innings, they had established a strong position before stumps. Prabath Jayasuriya also made his mark for Sri Lanka, taking two wickets and surpassing 100 Test wickets in his career. Despite their recent successes against other teams, Sri Lanka now faces a challenging deficit as both teams vie for an advantageous position in the World Test Championship.

The performance of Sri Lanka in this Test match against South Africa serves as a significant reminder of the volatility in cricket, especially in the Test format. With South Africa’s bowling attack led by Marco Jansen, who recorded remarkable bowling figures, this match has garnered attention not only for its low score but also for its implications in terms of World Test Championship standings. Historically, other teams have faced similar debacles, but rarely does a match produce a score as low as Sri Lanka’s on this day. With their recent form, having secured victories against formidable opponents, this dismal performance raises questions about their consistency and ability to compete under pressure.

In summary, Sri Lanka’s abysmal total of 42 runs reflects a glaring collapse against South Africa, showcasing the brilliance of Marco Jansen on this historic day in Durban. The match concludes day two with South Africa firmly in control, expanding their lead significantly through commendable batting performances. While Sri Lanka has achieved recent successes in Test cricket, this performance stands out as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport and the challenges they face moving forward in their quest for World Test Championship qualification.

Original Source: www.skysports.com