In a shocking twist on the hallowed grounds of Durban, Sri Lanka’s cricketing hopes crumbled spectacularly as they suffered an abysmal collapse, bowled out for a meager 42 runs—their lowest score in the annals of Test cricket.
Responding to South Africa’s first innings total of 191, the Sri Lankan batsmen faced an unforgiving attack and disintegrated in a mere 13.5 overs, surrendering their wickets with unsettling rapidity on the second day of the inaugural Test match.
Marco Jansen, with a performance for the ages, etched his name into the record books with career-best bowling figures of 7 wickets for just 13 runs, unleashed across the course of 6.5 overs. He was ably supported by Gerald Coetzee, who garnered 2 wickets for 18 runs, while Kagiso Rabada added another, picking up 1 for just 10 runs.
This monumental decline eclipsed Sri Lanka’s previous low of 71 runs, recorded against Pakistan back in 1994, now firmly establishing a new benchmark for Test ineptitude. Remarkably, in the grand theater of men’s Test cricket, only on a scant eight occasions has a side fallen below the 42-run mark.
Among the few souls who managed to reach double digits were Kamindu Mendis (13) and Lahiru Kumara (10), while the team’s entire innings was a fleeting 83 balls long—marking it as the second briefest innings in history that ended in total dismissal. South Africa’s previous record for the lowest innings, a mere 30 runs off 75 balls against England at Edgbaston in 1924, still stands unchallenged.
As day two concluded, South Africa established a commanding lead, posting 132-3 at stumps—an eye-watering advantage of 281 runs.
In a bid to secure a coveted spot in the World Test Championship final, Sri Lanka now faces an uphill battle: they must vanquish South Africa in both of their remaining Tests and also eclipse Australia in two tests during the New Year. The prospect looms that 3 victories and a single defeat in these final four matches may just be enough to secure their dream of reaching the championship finale.
On the other hand, with aspirations of their own, South Africa too could clinch a spot in the final; winning both Tests against Sri Lanka and sweeping through two fixtures against Pakistan in December and January would ensure their passage. A scenario where three wins and a draw across those encounters may similarly pave their path toward the championship glory.
Currently, the scoreboard reads: Sri Lanka languishes in third position in the World Test Championship standings, while South Africa occupies the fifth spot, both teams with their eyes firmly set on the ultimate prize.
