Sri Lanka Bowled Out for 42 as Jansen Stars in South Africa’s Dominant Day
DURBAN: Sri Lanka were bowled out for a dismal 42, their lowest-ever total in Test cricket, after a spectacular bowling performance from South Africa’s Marco Jansen. The lanky pacer claimed a career-best 7-13, leading South Africa to a commanding 281-run lead by the close of play on Day 2 of the first Test at Kingsmead.
Sri Lanka’s collapse occurred in just 13.5 overs, with 19 wickets falling on a lively pitch that provided plenty of assistance for the bowlers. Jansen’s incredible spell saw him dismantle the Sri Lankan batting lineup, including three clean bowled dismissals, three catches in the slips, and a caught-and-bowled to finish off the innings.
This performance from Jansen made him only the second bowler in Test history to take seven wickets in less than seven overs, matching a feat last achieved by former Australian captain Hugh Trumble in 1904. Sri Lanka’s total of 42 is not only their lowest in Test history, but also the ninth-lowest innings score ever recorded in the format, and the lowest-ever Test total at Kingsmead, surpassing Bangladesh’s 53.
South Africa’s first innings had also been an eventful one. After starting the day on 80-4, they were all out for 191 by lunch. In their second innings, South Africa were 132-3 at stumps, still 281 runs ahead, as they chase a victory to strengthen their push for a spot in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next June.
Jansen’s brilliance was supported by Gerald Coetzee (2-18) and Kagiso Rabada, who took the first wicket of Sri Lanka’s innings. The Sri Lankan batsmen contributed to their own downfall with some poor shot selections, with only Kamindu Mendis reaching double figures, top-scoring with 13 runs. Five Sri Lankan players were dismissed for ducks.
In South Africa’s first innings, Temba Bavuma made a steady 70 runs in his return after missing the previous series against Bangladesh due to injury. Aiden Markram’s 47 was the next highest score.
For Sri Lanka, Prabath Jayasuriya took two wickets in South Africa’s second innings to reach 100 wickets in just 17 Tests, becoming the second-fastest bowler to reach the milestone.
Scorecard:
South Africa (1st Innings, overnight 80-4):
A. Markram c Mathews b A. Fernando 9
T. de Zorzi c K.G. Mendis b V. Fernando 4
T. Stubbs c Karunaratne b Kumara 16
T. Bavuma c Kumara b A. Fernando 70
D. Bedingham b Kumara 4
K. Verreynne lbw b Kumara 9
W. Mulder not out 9
M. Jansen lbw b Jayasuriya 13
G. Coetzee c K.G. Mendis b Jayasuriya 1
K. Maharaj c de Silva b V. Fernando 24
K. Rabada c Chandimal b A. Fernando 15
Extras (B-2, LB-5, NB-4, W-6) 17
Total (all out, 49.4 overs) 191
Sri Lanka (1st Innings):
P. Nissanka c Stubbs b Jansen 3
D. Karunaratne c Bedingham b Rabada 2
D. Chandimal b Jansen 0
A. Mathews c Bedingham b Jansen 1
K.G. Mendis c Bedingham b Coetzee 13
D. de Silva b Jansen 7
K. Mendis lbw b Coetzee 0
P. Jayasuriya c Stubbs b Jansen 0
V. Fernando b Jansen 0
L. Kumara not out 10
A. Fernando c&b Jansen 0
Extras (LB-1, NB-4, W-1) 6
Total (all out, 13.5 overs) 42
South Africa (2nd Innings):
T. de Zorzi c A. Fernando b Jayasuriya 17
A. Markram b V. Fernando 47
W. Mulder lbw b Jayasuriya 15
T. Stubbs not out 17
T. Bavuma not out 24
Extras (B-4, LB-8) 12
Total (for three wickets, 40 overs) 132
BOWLING: A. Fernando 14.4-3-44-3, V. Fernando 15-2-35-2 (2w), Mathews 2-2-0-0, Kumara 12-1-70-3 (4nb), Jayasuriya 5-1-24-2, de Silva 1-0-11-0
Jansen’s magnificent effort has given South Africa a commanding position as they look to close in on victory and maintain their push for the World Test Championship final.
