South Africa has moved to the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings after securing a 2-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka. The Proteas' victory in the second and final Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha boosted their chances of qualifying for the final at Lord's next summer. South Africa's spinner Keshav Maharaj played a key role, taking five wickets on the final day to claim his 11th career five-wicket haul. Sri Lanka's hopes for the Lord's final have all-but ended with their defeat.
Despite a strong start from the South Africa National Cricket Team, rain caused a 3 1/2-hour delay and eventually ended the first day of their first test against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team. Fast bowlers Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando were able to remove the openers early on, but some luck and dropped catches allowed South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs to start building a partnership before play was stopped. The match is now set to resume on Day 2.
Captain Temba Bavuma has declared that the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan will serve as "like cup finals" as South Africa aims to secure a place in the World Test Championship showpiece. A series sweep against both opponents could potentially put them in contention for the final at Lord's in June. With Bavuma's return from injury and the inclusion of young seamers Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen, the Proteas are confident in their all-out attack and plan to stick to the tactics that have brought them success. However, Sri Lanka, also vying for a spot in the final, will provide tough competition and have shown their proficiency against fast bowling.
In an eventful third day of the second and final Test, South Africa defeated the West Indies by 40 runs to win the series 2-0. The Proteas were initially dismissed for 246 in their second innings, with West Indies' fast bowler Jayden Seales taking six wickets. The home team in response was bowled out for 222 to give South Africa the victory.