Sri Lankan cricket team have delivered one of the most shambolic Test batting performances in recent times as they collapsed to 42 on day two of the opening Test against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban. Marco Jansen headlined South Africa's demolition of Sri Lanka, bagging seven wickets to gain a 149-run lead.
The visitors came on day two of the Test having South Africa at 80/4, hoping to keep the Proteas to as minimum a total as possible. South African captain Temba Bavuma fought hard with a 117-ball 70, while lower-order contributions helped the hosts to 191 in an innings that lasted 49.4 overs. Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando scalped three each, while Vishwa Fernando and Prabath Jayasuriya snared a couple.
However, Sri Lankan batters could hardly cope with the new-ball pair of Jansen and Kagiso Rabada. Jansen accounted for Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando and Asitha Fernando.
Sri Lanka yet to lose a Test in Durban:
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka could be on the verge of losing their first-ever Test in Durban, winning two out of three Tests at the venue, dating back to 2000. The fixture in 2000 resulted in a draw, while Sri Lanka emerged victorious in 2011 and 2019.
The Test is also critical for both teams, keeping in mind the World Test Championship (WTC) final next year at Lord's. Nevertheless, Sri Lanka's chances could be severely paralysed after their batting collapse on day two at the Kingsmead.
