SA vs SL 1st Test: In an astonishing display of bowling dominance, South Africa’s Marco Jansen wreaked havoc on Sri Lanka in the ongoing first Test at Kingsmead, Durban. Jansen’s career best performance saw him claiming a stunning 7 wickets for just 13 runs, as Sri Lanka were bowled out for their lowest ever Test total of 42 runs. This extraordinary feat not only sealed Sri Lanka’s fate but also made history as the visitors crumbled in just 13.5 overs, the second-fastest Test collapse ever.
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SA vs SL 1st Test : South Africa Smashes Records: Marco Jansen’s Fiery 7 Wicket Haul Sends Sri Lanka Reeling in Historic Test Collapse
Sri Lanka’s Nightmare First Innings
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Sri Lanka’s bowling attack initially seemed to have the upper hand, restricting South Africa to 191 runs in their first innings. However, little did they know that the worst was yet to come. Marco Jansen unleashed his fury in the second innings, dismantling the Sri Lankan batting line up with deadly precision.
In a shocking turn of events, Sri Lanka’s top order collapsed like a house of cards. Within just 7.1 overs, they were reeling at 16/4, with Jansen accounting for three of those wickets. Key players like Pathum Nissanka (3), Dimuth Karunaratne (2), and Dinesh Chandimal (0) were dismissed cheaply, as the South African bowlers made the most of the testing conditions at Kingsmead.
Despite a valiant effort from Kamindu Mendis, who top-scored with 13 runs, the rest of the batting order fell apart quickly. Sri Lanka’s innings came to an abrupt end when Jansen wrapped things up, leaving the visitors bowled out for just 42 runs.
Jansen’s Record Breaking Spell
Jansen’s remarkable spell of 7/13 in just 6.5 overs is a career best performance and one for the history books. It is the second fastest seven wicket haul in Test cricket history, only behind Australia’s Hugh Trumble in 1904. Along with Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetzee, who chipped in with key wickets, South Africa bowled Sri Lanka out in a mere 83 balls, the second shortest Test innings ever.
Not only did Jansen’s efforts help South Africa take a commanding 149 run first innings lead, but they also left Sri Lanka with a monumental task to save the match. The hosts’ bowling attack, spearheaded by Jansen, showcased the perfect mix of skill and aggression, making it impossible for the Sri Lankan batsmen to settle.
Sri Lanka’s Historic Collapse
This ignominious collapse is now recorded as the lowest total for Sri Lanka in Test cricket, surpassing their previous lowest of 71 runs against Pakistan in 1994. It’s also the lowest score ever posted against South Africa in a Test match. The magnitude of the defeat has left fans and pundits alike stunned, with Sri Lanka struggling to cope with the swing and seam movement that was on offer.
To put this into perspective, Sri Lanka’s innings lasted only 83 balls, a mere 13.5 overs. This is the second fastest all out in Test history, a position previously held by South Africa themselves, who were bowled out for just 30 runs in 1924.
South Africa Capitalizes on the Lead
With such a substantial first-innings lead, South Africa capitalized, with openers Aiden Markram (47) and Tony de Zorzi (17) building a strong foundation in their second innings. At the end of Day 2, South Africa was sitting pretty at 132/3, holding a dominant 281 run lead over Sri Lanka.
With Sri Lanka left with a mountain to climb, they will have to dig deep to find a way back into the game. Meanwhile, South Africa is in a commanding position, thanks to their bowlers’ brilliance, especially Marco Jansen’s historic performance. As the Proteas continue to dominate, Sri Lanka will have to regroup and come up with something special to avoid an embarrassing defeat.
FAQs
What was Sri Lanka’s lowest-ever total in Test cricket?
Sri Lanka’s lowest-ever total in Test cricket is 42 runs, scored in the first innings against South Africa in Durban in 2024
Who was the standout bowler in the South Africa vs Sri Lanka Test?
Marco Jansen was the standout bowler, taking 7 wickets for 13 runs in just 6.5 overs
