Sri Lanka was bowled out for 42 runs by South Africa in Durban, the lowest Test total in Sri Lankan history. The team’s innings lasted only 83 balls, marking the second shortest in men’s Test history. Marco Jansen led the attack with 7 wickets for 13 runs, overshadowing their previous low of 71 runs in 1994 against Pakistan. Only two batters reached double figures in a dismal performance.
In a historic collapse, Sri Lanka was dismissed for a mere 42 runs by South Africa during their first Test match in Durban, marking the lowest Test innings total in the history of the Sri Lankan men’s cricket team. After being set a target of 191 runs by South Africa, the Sri Lankan batsmen struggled immensely and were bowled out in just 13.5 overs. Marco Jansen achieved remarkable bowling figures of 7 wickets for only 13 runs, while his teammates Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada contributed with 2 and 1 wicket respectively. This performance overtook Sri Lanka’s previous lowest Test innings total of 71 runs against Pakistan in 1994. Furthermore, the match showcased the ineptitude of the batting lineup, as only Kamindu Mendis and Lahiru Kumara reached double figures, scoring 13 and 10 runs, respectively. With innings lasting only 83 balls, this dismissal ranks as the second shortest in men’s Test history, overshadowed only by South Africa’s 30 all out against England in 1924.
The history of Test cricket illustrates that low innings totals, particularly those below 50 runs, are exceedingly rare. Sri Lanka’s record-setting collapse serves as a stark reminder of the volatility and unpredictability inherent in the sport, especially in challenging conditions. Previous lows in Test history underscore the difficulty faced by teams battling with both the skill of the opposing bowlers and adverse pitch conditions. The performance of bowlers Marco Jansen and his colleagues highlighted the challenges faced by the Sri Lankan batting order, which ultimately succumbed to pressure from South Africa’s bowling attack.
The astonishing performance by South Africa has etched its name into the record books as Sri Lanka crumbled to 42 runs, underscoring the challenges teams face in Test cricket. Marco Jansen’s extraordinary bowling figures contributed significantly to this success, further illustrating the disparity in form between the two sides during this encounter. Sri Lanka’s previous record of 71 runs is now overshadowed, serving as a humbling reminder of their current struggles. Such drastically low totals are a rarity in cricket, making this match a notable event in the sport’s annals.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
