South Africa Ascends to Top of WTC Standings After Series Victory Against Sri Lanka
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Gqeberha, Dec 9 (NationPress) South Africa has claimed the top position in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, effectively undermining the aspirations of the Sanath Jayasuriya-coached team for a spot in the WTC final with a 109-run victory over Sri Lanka at St George’s Park on Monday.
This victory secured a commanding 2-0 series win for the Proteas, who have now overtaken Australia, the former WTC table leaders, to seize the top position. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is currently in fourth place in the race for the final and is set to face Australia in a two-match Test series come January.
Going into this match, Sri Lanka had a point to prove, especially after suffering a devastating 233-run defeat in the first Test in Durban, where they were bowled out for a record low of 42 runs in their first innings. After winning the toss, South Africa chose to bat first but faced early difficulties until captain Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton established a crucial 133-run partnership.
Rickelton achieved a well-earned century but was dismissed shortly thereafter, with South Africa concluding Day 1 at 269/7. They commenced Day 2 with wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne unbeaten on 48, leading the Proteas to a total of 358. Verreynne also marked a significant milestone by scoring his third Test century.
Sri Lanka demonstrated resilience with the bat, concluding Day 2 at 242/3, spearheaded by Pathum Nissanka's determined 89. On Day 3, Sri Lanka began strongly, but their momentum was interrupted when Dane Paterson struck with the new ball, achieving his maiden five-wicket haul to bowl Sri Lanka out for 328.
South Africa extended their lead to 30 runs, finishing Day 3 at 191/3 and maintaining a dominant position in the match. Tristan Stubbs and Temba Bavuma contributed 104 runs together, followed by valuable innings from David Bedingham and the lower order, bringing their total to 317. Jayasuriya capped off a remarkable performance with his five-wicket haul.
As the final day of the second Test approached, the match was finely balanced, with Sri Lanka needing 143 runs to level the series, while South Africa was merely five wickets away from a clean sweep.
Captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, both unbeaten on 39 at the end of Day 4, were dismissed early on the final day. Kusal Mendis was caught for 46, edging a delivery from Maharaj that was expertly taken by Aiden Markram.
De Silva, who had just reached his half-century, was dismissed shortly after, nicking a ball from Rabada directly into the gloves of wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne.
Keshav Maharaj completed his five-wicket haul by claiming the wickets of Prabath Jayasuriya and Vishwa Fernando before Marco Jansen sealed the victory for the Proteas on the final day.
Brief Score:
SA: 358/10 & 317/10 (Temba Bavuma (66), Aiden Markram (55); Prabath Jayasuriya (129-5) defeated Sri Lanka: 328 & 238 (Dhananjaya de Silva (50), Kusal Mendis (46); Keshav Maharaj 76-5) by 109 runs.
