South Africa 358 and 317 (Bavuma 66, Markram 55, Jayasuriya 5-129) beat Sri Lanka 328 and 238 (Dhananjaya de Silva 50, Maharaj 5-76) by 109 runs
South Africa have moved to the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) table after a 109-run win over Sri Lanka at St George's Park. They swept the series 2-nil after bowling Sri Lanka out for 238 in 69 minutes on the final morning with the second new ball still 10.5 overs away.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj took five wickets as South Africa secured a 109-run victory over Sri Lanka on the last day of the second test at St George’s Park on Monday and a 2-0 sweep of the series.
Maharaj finished with figures of 5-76 as South Africa took 70 minutes to dismiss Sri Lanka for 238 in a game that had been set up for a thrilling finale as both teams required a win to keep them in contention for a place in next June’s World Test Championship final.
Sri Lanka resumed on 205-5 needing 143 for victory and the home side required five wickets but it proved an anticlimax as the hosts ran through the batting line-up to add to their 233-run victory in the first test in Durban.
It took South Africa seven overs to make a breakthrough on Monday, ending a 97-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Kusal Mendes caught by Aiden Markram off Maharaj.
It was sharp catch for Markram and only given out after a check by the television umpire to see whether it was cleanly taken.
Mendis made 46 and was followed shortly after by captain Dhananajaya de Silva, who got a healthy edge to a quick delivery from Kagiso Rabada to depart for 50.
That left the tail exposed and South Africa wasted no time with Maharaj grabbing the wickets of Prabath Jayasuriya, caught at extra cover by Temba Bavuma, and Vishwa Fernando, who slogged it up into the sky to be caught by Marco Jansen.
Jansen took the last wicket of Lahiru Kumara to ensure South Africa moved to the top of the WTC standings.
"That was what test cricket is all about," said South Africa captain Bavuma, who was named man of the series for his batting performances.
"It is rare to play for five days and also rare when the game is always in the balance and both teams are in contention. Sri Lanka asked the right questions with an intimidating batting line-up.
"They made us work for the result but it was testament to our character as a team we stayed in the fight and backed it up from a skills point of view," Bavuma added.
"The boys were in the game until the last day but it wasn’t good enough," said De Silva.
"Their bowling attack was always asking questions. It was a good challenge, but I think they played better than us.
South Africa have moved to the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) table after a 109-run win over Sri Lanka at St George's Park. They swept the series 2-nil after bowling Sri Lanka out for 238 in 69 minutes on the final morning with the second new ball still 10.5 overs away.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj took five wickets as South Africa secured a 109-run victory over Sri Lanka on the last day of the second test at St George’s Park on Monday and a 2-0 sweep of the series.
Maharaj finished with figures of 5-76 as South Africa took 70 minutes to dismiss Sri Lanka for 238 in a game that had been set up for a thrilling finale as both teams required a win to keep them in contention for a place in next June’s World Test Championship final.
Sri Lanka resumed on 205-5 needing 143 for victory and the home side required five wickets but it proved an anticlimax as the hosts ran through the batting line-up to add to their 233-run victory in the first test in Durban.
It took South Africa seven overs to make a breakthrough on Monday, ending a 97-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Kusal Mendes caught by Aiden Markram off Maharaj.
It was sharp catch for Markram and only given out after a check by the television umpire to see whether it was cleanly taken.
Mendis made 46 and was followed shortly after by captain Dhananajaya de Silva, who got a healthy edge to a quick delivery from Kagiso Rabada to depart for 50.
That left the tail exposed and South Africa wasted no time with Maharaj grabbing the wickets of Prabath Jayasuriya, caught at extra cover by Temba Bavuma, and Vishwa Fernando, who slogged it up into the sky to be caught by Marco Jansen.
Jansen took the last wicket of Lahiru Kumara to ensure South Africa moved to the top of the WTC standings.
"That was what test cricket is all about," said South Africa captain Bavuma, who was named man of the series for his batting performances.
"It is rare to play for five days and also rare when the game is always in the balance and both teams are in contention. Sri Lanka asked the right questions with an intimidating batting line-up.
"They made us work for the result but it was testament to our character as a team we stayed in the fight and backed it up from a skills point of view," Bavuma added.
"The boys were in the game until the last day but it wasn’t good enough," said De Silva.
"Their bowling attack was always asking questions. It was a good challenge, but I think they played better than us.
Temba Bavuma is the Player of the series for three half-centuries and a century in four innings. "Good to be back, firstly," he says. "Enjoying the opportunity to be out with them. Lot of hunger and desire from my side, when the opportunities come and body allows, to put in performances for the team. Hopefully I was able grab them. Durban was tricky, first day conditions overhead. From my side, wanted to keep the intent of looking to score, not worry too much about technique and how it looks, also encourage the other players to do so. Felt fresh mentally and physically, was able to contribute. This Test for a lot of the guys was a proper Test. Rare that you get to play all five days, rare the game swings both sides, credit to Sri Lanka for the way they went about their business, asked the right questions, they made us work hard for the win. We'll take a lot of pride as a batting group. All of us are super happy for a guy like Ryan Rickleton, with the ball it was Marco and Paterson. Guys putting in performances like that speaks of the hunger. WTC table looks good, still have two games to go. Don't know what the math looks like, want to continue what we're doing, enjoy the victory, and in a couple of weeks time start speaking about Pakistan."
Dhananjaya de Silva: This game was tighter than the last one; boys fought hard but we weren't good enough. The conditions are obviously different to Sri Lanka; the bowling attack they had, they kept asking questions, even the spinners. I think they played better than us. We're getting better [playing in SENA countries], but need to get better in every department. We don't have plans yet [for the home Tests v Australia] but it'll spin [in Galle]."
Dane Paterson is the Player of the Match for his 5 for 71 in the first innings. He finishes with a match haul of seven wickets.
South Africa's WTC dream is alive and kicking. They're now on top of the table, having upstaged second-placed Australia. With two home Tests to follow against Pakistan, they'll fancy giving themselves a shot at glory come Lord's 2025.
Dhananjaya de Silva: This game was tighter than the last one; boys fought hard but we weren't good enough. The conditions are obviously different to Sri Lanka; the bowling attack they had, they kept asking questions, even the spinners. I think they played better than us. We're getting better [playing in SENA countries], but need to get better in every department. We don't have plans yet [for the home Tests v Australia] but it'll spin [in Galle]."
Dane Paterson is the Player of the Match for his 5 for 71 in the first innings. He finishes with a match haul of seven wickets.
South Africa's WTC dream is alive and kicking. They're now on top of the table, having upstaged second-placed Australia. With two home Tests to follow against Pakistan, they'll fancy giving themselves a shot at glory come Lord's 2025.
