In a disastrous batting performance, the Sri Lankan cricket team collapsed to an all-time low of 42 runs on day two of the opening Test against South Africa. Proteas bowler Marco Jensen was the standout performer, bagging career-best figures of 7/13 to give his team a 149-run lead. With Sri Lanka in danger of losing their first-ever Test in Durban, the match holds even greater significance as both teams compete for a spot in the World Test Championship final.
Marco Jansen's Career-Best Performance Leads South Africa to Historic Victory
On the second day of the opening Test match against South Africa, the Sri Lankan cricket team experienced a batting collapse, resulting in an all-time low of 42 runs. Proteas bowler Marco Jensen emerged as the star performer, claiming career-best figures of 7/13. The victory gave South Africa a 149-run lead and put Sri Lanka in danger of losing their first-ever Test in Durban.
Background
Marco Jansen is a 21-year-old left-arm fast bowler who made his Test debut for South Africa in 2021. He quickly established himself as a reliable wicket-taker, consistently troubling opposition batsmen with his pace and accuracy.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has a rich cricketing history but has struggled in recent years. They entered the Test series against South Africa as underdogs, hoping to pull off an upset.
The Collapse
On the second day of the match, Sri Lanka resumed their innings at 30/1. However, they lost wickets in quick succession, as Jansen rampaged through their batting lineup. Only two batsmen, Dhananjaya de Silva (18) and Niroshan Dickwella (16), managed to reach double figures.
Jansen's performance was particularly impressive considering the conditions. The pitch at Kingsmead, Durban, is typically batsman-friendly, but Jansen's ability to generate pace and movement made it difficult for the Sri Lankan batsmen to score.
Significance
The victory is a significant achievement for South Africa as it puts them in a strong position to win the match and take the lead in the series. It also gives them valuable points in the World Test Championship standings, where they are currently ranked second.
For Sri Lanka, the defeat is a major setback. They have never lost a Test in Durban and will need to perform a remarkable turnaround to avoid a series loss.
Top 5 FAQs
1. How many wickets did Marco Jansen take in the match? A. 7
2. What was Jansen's previous career-best performance? A. 5/35
3. What is Sri Lanka's all-time lowest Test score? A. 42 runs
4. When was Sri Lanka's last Test win in South Africa? A. 2019
5. Which team is currently ranked first in the World Test Championship standings? A. India
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