South Africa Carve Out An Important Win
The extremely important Test Series between Sri Lanka and South Africa has turned the Proteas’ way after their thumping 233 runs victory over the Lankans in the first Test at Kingsmead, Durban. The victory gives a big boost to SA in their pursuit for a berth in the WTC Final at Lord’s next year.
A Bitter Collapse For Sri Lanka
Sanath Jayasurya, Head Coach Sri Lanka wore a dismal look at the end of the match. Since his arrival Sri Lanka has been playing some fine cricket and challenging the best in the world. However, their collapse in the first innings for just 42 runs left them with no chance in the game. Sri Lanka have tended to collapse in the face of good swing bowling. Siraj did them twice, once in the Asia Cup and once in the World Cup. The Lankan batters were skittled out with paltry scores. It was the fall and lanky left- armer Marco Jansen this time around.
Marco Jansen The Lankan Tormentor
With 7/13 in just 6.5 overs Marco Jansen produced an incredible spell of fast bowling, to which the Sri Lankans had absolutely no answers. The Kingsmead pitch known for its assistant to seam bowlers, was a tough one to survive. SA too had found it difficult but had somehow managed to reach 191 in their first essay.
Incredible Numbers For Jansen
Jansen seamed and swung the ball both ways of an unplayable length. The Lankan players either nicked away in the slips or were bowled like Dinesh Chandimal by the ball which seamed in viciously from the left-armer. Veterans like Angelo Mathews struggled and eventually perished. Marco Jansen was in a zone of his own. In the second innings too, the tall bowler scalped another 4 and ended the game with his best figures of 11/85 for the match.
Bavuma & Stubbs Play Their Part
Captain Temba Bavuma returning from an injury produced two sterling knocks to ensure that the hard work done by the bowlers does not go waste. His 70 in the first innings and a brilliant 113 in the second innings sealed the match for South Africa. The ever impressive Tristan Stubbs too notched up a critical 122. The duo of Stubbs and Bavuma set Sri Lanka a massive target of 516 to chase.
South African Bowlers Chip Away
The Lankans did put up some resistance in the second innings, but a disciplined attack of the ever consistent Champion Kagiso Rabada, the quick Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen and Maharaj chipped away at the wickets, notwithstanding the injury to Wiaan Mulder. Sri Lanka eventually folded for 282 to give the Proteas a commanding 233 run victory.
Disappointed Lankans
The Sri Lankans would be disappointed no end. They were expected to do much better, but they ran into an inspired Marco Jansen and a tough Kingsmead pitch.
It would be fair to say that the Lankans were simply Jansened at Durban.
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