- The first match of the two-match Test series between South Africa and Sri Lanka was played at Kingsmead in Durban. The host team performed brilliantly and won by 233 runs.
In the first Test match played in Durban, South Africa managed to crush Sri Lanka (SA vs SL). In this match which started on 27th November, the Proteas players displayed their brilliance and played a vital role in the team’s victory. After winning the toss, Sri Lanka decided to bowl, which proved to be wrong.
The first innings of the African team was all out at 191 runs. In reply, Sri Lanka’s first innings collapsed at just 42 runs. After this, South Africa declared the second innings at 366 runs and set a target of 516 runs. In this situation, Sri Lanka was successful in scoring only 282 runs, due to which it had to face defeat by 233 runs.
Temba Bavuma hits half-century
Source: ESPN Cricinfo
South Africa (SA vs SL) could not get a good start in the first innings. Openers Aiden Markram (9) and Tony DeZorzi (4) got out cheaply. There was a partnership of 14 runs between these two. The bat of the dashing African batsman Tristan Stubbs also remained silent and he managed to score 16 runs. David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder and Gerald Katzi could not even touch the double digit mark.
While the team’s wickets kept falling on one end, on the other hand Temba Bavuma kept the innings under control. He scored a half-century by thrashing the Sri Lankan bowlers. The African captain played an innings of 70 runs in 117 balls. Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara took three wickets each from Sri Lanka’s side. Prabhat Suryakumar and Vishwa Fernando took two wickets each.
Sri Lanka’s innings collapsed at 42 runs
Sri Lanka (SA vs SL)’s first innings collapsed at 42 runs in 13.5 overs. No player could score even 20 runs. Fast bowler Marco Jansen attacked the batsmen like a nightmare and took seven wickets in 6.5 overs. Kamindu Mendis was the highest run scorer for the team. He scored 13 runs in 20 balls.
Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Prabhat Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando and Asitha Fernando failed to open their account. Pathum Nissanka scored 3 runs, Dimuth Karunaratne scored 2 runs, Angelo Mathews scored 1 run, captain Dhananjay de Silva scored 7 runs and Lahiru Kumara scored 10 runs. Apart from Marco Jansen, Gerald Katzi took 2 wickets and Kagiso Rabada took one wicket.
Temba Bavuma-Tristan Stubbs pair wreaked havoc
South Africa’s (SA vs SL) batsmen performed brilliantly in their second innings. Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs made life difficult for the Sri Lankan bowlers with their explosive batting. Both these batsmen scored a lot of runs and helped the team gain a big lead. Meanwhile, openers Tony DeZorzi (17) and Aiden Markram (47) succeeded in giving the team a good start.
There was a partnership of 47 runs between these two for the first wicket. Tristan Stubbs scored 122 runs and Temba Bavuma scored 113 runs. Wiaan Mulder was out after scoring 15 runs. David Bedingham remained unbeaten on 21 runs. Vishwa Fernando and Prabhat Jayasuriya took 2-2 wickets for Sri Lanka. Asitha Fernando took one wicket.
South Africa got a big win
Sri Lanka’s (SA vs SL) innings came to chase the target of 516 runs and was all out at 282 runs. Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjay de Silva tried to win the match for the team by scoring half centuries. But even the innings of these two could not save the honour of the Sri Lankan team. Dinesh Chandimal scored 83 runs and Dhananjay de Silva scored 59 runs. Kusal Mendis played a fighting innings of 48 runs.
Pathum Nissanka contributed 23 runs, Angelo Mathews 25 runs, Kamindu Mendis 10 runs. Dimuth Karunaratne was dismissed after scoring 4 runs. Prabhat and Vishwa Fernando scored 1-1 runs. Lahiru Kumara remained unbeaten on 5 runs. During this time Marco Jansen achieved the most success for South Africa. He took 4 wickets. Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Katzi and Keshav Maharaj took 2-2 wickets each.