South Africa secured a commanding 233-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second Test at Kingsmead, Durban, to rise to second place in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. The hosts, led by a magnificent 11-wicket haul from Marco Jansen, broke Sri Lanka’s unbeaten streak at the venue, with the visitors eventually bowled out for 282 on the fourth day.
The Turning Point: A Nightmare Start for Sri Lanka
The match seemed all but settled on the third evening when South Africa set Sri Lanka an imposing target of 516 runs. Having already reduced Sri Lanka to 5 for 1 on day three, they needed just five more wickets to finish the job. But a determined fightback from Sri Lanka’s middle order led by Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva took the game deep into the second session of day four. However, South Africa’s early breakthrough on the final day—getting rid of both Dhananjaya and Chandimal—put the game back firmly in their control.
The game’s pivotal moment, however, came on day three when Sri Lanka’s first-innings collapse for just 42 runs gave South Africa an unassailable first-innings lead of 149 runs. That provided the South African batsmen with the best conditions to post a challenging total, and they capitalized, setting Sri Lanka a daunting chase.
Jansen Shines with a Match-Defining Performance
Marco Jansen was the star of the match, claiming 11 wickets, including 4 for 73 in Sri Lanka’s second innings. His performance included a game-defining spell on day four, cleaning up Sri Lanka’s lower order and taking the final two wickets to seal the victory. Jansen’s match figures of 11 for 86 are the second-best ever at Kingsmead, behind Clarrie Grimmett’s 13 for 173 in 1936.
While Jansen’s heroics were central to the win, it was also the collective effort of South Africa’s bowlers that set up the victory. Kagiso Rabada, despite struggling with no-balls, was excellent in his spells, and Gerald Coetzee made valuable breakthroughs. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj played a key role as well, picking up important wickets, including the dismissal of Dhananjaya.
Chandimal and Dhananjaya Fight Hard
Sri Lanka, though outclassed, made South Africa work hard for the win, especially through half-centuries from Chandimal (83) and Dhananjaya (59). The pair put on a solid 95-run stand for the sixth wicket before Dhananjaya was dismissed by Maharaj. Chandimal, however, continued to frustrate the South African bowlers, combining with Kusal Mendis for another stubborn 75-run partnership.
Sri Lanka’s resistance crumbled once more when Mendis was dismissed for 48 by Jansen, leaving the visitors 282 all out.
Bavuma and Stubbs Lead South Africa’s Batting Charge
Earlier in the match, South Africa’s top order laid a solid foundation. Temba Bavuma was outstanding with the bat, scoring 113 runs in the second innings after his first-innings contribution of 70. Alongside him, Tristan Stubbs made a dazzling 122, his maiden Test century, as the pair added 235 runs for the second wicket to help South Africa declare at 366 for 5.
Victory Ensures South Africa’s Strong WTC Campaign
The win sees South Africa leapfrog Australia into second place in the World Test Championship standings, behind only India. With the next Test series coming against Australia, this victory will give them a huge boost in their bid to reach the final.
South Africa’s comprehensive victory in Durban was a testament to their skill and resilience, with key contributions from both their batters and bowlers. As they prepare for the next phase of the WTC, this dominant win will surely send a message to their competitors.
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