Sri Lanka recorded their lowest ever Test score of just 42 runs against South Africa in Durban, marking the shortest completed innings in 100 years. The team collapsed in just 13.5 overs, while South African bowler Marco Jansen starred with 7-13. South Africa leads by 281 runs with their second innings score at 3-132 going into day three.
In a dismal display of cricketing performance, Sri Lanka suffered a historic defeat in the first Test against South Africa, concluding their innings at a mere 42 runs. This score marks Sri Lanka’s lowest in Test history, surpassing their previous record of 71 runs set against Pakistan in 1994. The match, taking place in Durban, saw Sri Lanka bowled out in just 83 balls, making it the shortest completed Test innings in the last century.
The bleak day for the Sri Lankan team began with their inability to withstand the South African bowling attack. South Africa had previously scored 191 runs, after which Sri Lanka’s batting crumbled alarmingly, with five players recording ducks. Kamindu Mendis managed to top-score with only 13 runs, contributing to the largest partnership of the innings at a meager 16 runs with Dhananjaya de Silva. The team’s collapse from a promising position of 4-32 to 8-32 in just 10 balls highlights the fragility of their batting lineup.
As the match progressed into day three, South Africa comfortably led by 281 runs with a score of 3-132 in their second innings. The performance of South African bowler Marco Jansen was remarkable, as he claimed 7 wickets for merely 13 runs in 6.5 overs, establishing him as the first cricketer since 1904 to achieve seven wickets in under seven overs. The striking nature of this match not only deepens Sri Lanka’s woes but also serves as a significant point of reference in cricketing history.
The performance of the Sri Lankan cricket team in the first Test against South Africa has been notably poor, culminating in their record-breaking low score of 42 runs. The match has garnered attention due to the rarity of such an occurrence in Test cricket, showcasing issues within the batting lineup and potentially leading to discussions regarding player performance and team strategy. With South Africa demonstrating dominance and effective bowling techniques, this Test serves as a critical examination of Sri Lanka’s cricketing capabilities.
In summary, Sri Lanka’s record-low total of 42 runs against South Africa represents not only a significant low point in their cricketing history but also a pivotal moment in Test cricket. As they face a considerable deficit heading into day three, the match underscores the importance of resilience and strategic improvement for the Sri Lankan team. Furthermore, the exceptional performance by Marco Jansen highlights the contrasting fortunes of the two teams in this encounter, raising questions about Sri Lanka’s future prospects in the series.
Original Source: www.abc.net.au
