Durban: South Africa, on Saturday, triumphed over Sri Lanka by 233 runs in the first Test at Durban, breaking the visitors’ unbeaten streak at Kingsmead and propelling themselves to second place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
Marco Jansen starred with the ball, claiming match figures of 11 for 86, including 4 for 73 in the second innings.
The hosts set Sri Lanka a daunting target of 516, reducing them to 5 for 87 by the close of the third day.
However, resilient half-centuries from Dinesh Chandimal (72) and Dhananjaya de Silva (59), along with Kusal Mendis’ 48, delayed the inevitable as Sri Lanka stretched their second innings to 282.
Sri Lanka’s first innings implosion, bowled out for 42 in just 78 minutes, ultimately decided the game. That collapse handed South Africa a 149-run lead and control of the match. The Proteas then built on their advantage, steadily setting an insurmountable target.
Under clear skies, Sri Lanka began the fourth day strongly. Chandimal and Dhananjaya added 95 runs for the sixth wicket, while Chandimal and Mendis combined for 75. Despite conditions easing for batting, South Africa’s bowlers eventually found breakthroughs. Keshav Maharaj dismissed Dhananjaya, while Gerald Coetzee removed Chandimal with a sharp return catch.
Mendis, battling poor form after four consecutive ducks, played a defiant knock but became Jansen’s 10th victim of the match. Jansen then bowled Asitha Fernando to end the innings, sealing a memorable performance for the all-rounder.
Jansen’s 11-wicket haul is the second-best at Kingsmead, behind Clarrie Grimmett’s 13 for 173 in 1936. This win not only bolstered South Africa’s WTC campaign but also showcased their ability to dominate in challenging situations, despite being a bowler down after Wiaan Mulder’s injury.
South Africa’s next challenge will be maintaining this momentum as they continue their push for a spot in the WTC final.
UNI
