December 01, Colombo (LNW): South Africa delivered a commanding performance in the first Test against Sri Lanka, securing a resounding 233-run victory in Durban on Saturday (30), and catapulting themselves into second place in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
Marco Jansen was the star of the match, claiming impressive match figures of 11/86 and playing a pivotal role in South Africa’s victory.
Sri Lanka, who began the Test in third place in the WTC 2023-25 points table with a points percentage of 55.56%, suffered a heavy defeat, slipping to fifth with a points percentage of 50%.
The loss left them with a significant task ahead as they attempt to recover from their poor performance.
Jansen was rightfully named Player of the Match for his extraordinary contribution. His all-round performance, including key breakthroughs and relentless pace, helped propel South Africa into second place in the WTC standings, ahead of Australia.
With a points percentage of 59.26%, South Africa have won five of their nine matches and now find themselves on the cusp of securing a place in next year’s WTC final in London.
India, who continue to dominate the standings with a points percentage of 61.11%, remain in the top spot.
Having entered the series in fifth place with a points percentage of 54.17%, South Africa gained more than five percentage points with this victory, advancing three places in the table.
They are now just behind India, who recently reclaimed the No. 1 spot after a crushing 295-run win over Australia in the first Test of their ongoing series.
Australia (57.69%) and WTC 2021 champions New Zealand (54.55%) round out the top five.
Tasked with chasing an improbable 516 to win, Sri Lanka’s batting line-up folded under pressure, despite some resistance from Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva. Starting Day 4 at 103/5, Sri Lanka’s slim hopes rested on their two senior batsmen.
The pair managed a brief revival, putting on a 95-run partnership for the sixth wicket, with de Silva contributing a well-made 59. However, once he fell to Keshav Maharaj’s spin, the pressure mounted once more.
Chandimal, who showed grit throughout the innings, was eventually dismissed for 83 after a 75-run partnership with Kusal Mendis, who made a fighting 48. With Jansen continuing to wreak havoc, Mendis fell to the paceman, and Sri Lanka’s tail was quickly exposed.
Gerald Coetzee cleaned up the lower order, and South Africa sealed the comprehensive victory.
Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss seemed promising, but their batting collapse in response to South Africa’s modest 191 in the first innings proved costly. Jansen’s blistering pace tore through Sri Lanka’s batting line-up, as they were bowled out for just 42 in 13.5 overs.
South Africa took full advantage of the situation, declaring their second innings at 366/5, with Temba Bavuma scoring an aggressive 113 and Tristan Stubbs contributing a valuable 122 off 221 balls.
With a 1-0 series lead, South Africa will now look to close out the series in the second Test, set to begin on December 5. Sri Lanka, reeling from this heavy defeat, will need to regroup quickly if they are to challenge the hosts in the remaining matches.
