Sri Lanka Suffer Historic Collapse; Bowled Out for 42 by South Africa
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Durban, Nov 28 (NationPress) Sri Lanka has achieved an unprecedented low in Test cricket, getting bowled out for just 42 by South Africa during their opening match of the series at Kingsmead on Thursday. This dismal score came in only 13.5 overs and easily eclipsed their former record low of 71, set against Pakistan in Kandy in 1994. It now stands as the ninth lowest Test total in history. Fast-bowling all-rounder Marco Jansen was the primary architect of this collapse, delivering a career-best performance with figures of 7-13 in 6.5 overs.
He received excellent support from fellow fast bowlers Gerald Coetzee (2-18) and Kagiso Rabada (1-10). Only two players from Sri Lanka managed to score in double digits, with Kamindu Mendis contributing the highest score of 13, while four players ended up with ducks.
This total of 42 is also the lowest ever recorded by any team against South Africa, surpassing the previous low of 45 set by New Zealand in Cape Town in 2013. The Sri Lankan innings lasted just 83 balls, falling short of the record for the fewest balls faced by a team, which is 75 balls when South Africa was bowled out for 30 against England in Birmingham in 1924.
Since the turn of the millennium, this 42 all out score ranks as the third lowest, following India's 36 all out in 2020 and Irelands 38 in 2019. Being dismissed for 42 and conceding a 149-run lead to South Africa is a significant blow to Sri Lanka's aspirations in the upcoming World Test Championship final.
On the first day, which was interrupted by rain, South Africa scored 111 runs in an extended morning session before being bowled out for 191, with captain Temba Bavuma leading the way with a top score of 70.
