South Africa emphatically triumphed over Sri Lanka by 109 runs in the second Test at St George’s Park, completing a 2-0 series sweep and ascending to the summit of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. This victory, fueled by Keshav Maharaj’s five-wicket haul, propelled the Proteas past Australia and India, who are currently embroiled in a closely contested Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. The match, poised for a dramatic finish with both teams needing a win to bolster their WTC final aspirations, ultimately saw South Africa’s resilience and skill prevail.
The final day’s play began with Sri Lanka needing 143 runs for victory with five wickets in hand, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter. However, South Africa’s bowlers, spearheaded by Maharaj’s spin wizardry, swiftly dismantled the Sri Lankan batting lineup. Maharaj’s impressive figures of 5-76 underscored his pivotal role in orchestrating the victory. He effectively stifled the Sri Lankan scoring rate and consistently created opportunities for his teammates, ultimately leading to the visitors’ downfall.
The pivotal moment in the match arrived with the dismissal of Kusal Mendis, who had patiently constructed a 46-run innings. Mendis, along with captain Dhananjaya de Silva, had forged a resilient 97-run partnership for the sixth wicket, threatening to steer Sri Lanka towards a remarkable victory. However, Maharaj’s breakthrough, trapping Mendis caught by Aiden Markram, swung the momentum firmly in South Africa’s favor. Shortly thereafter, de Silva, who had valiantly reached his half-century, fell prey to Kagiso Rabada’s pace, edging a delivery to the wicketkeeper.
With the Sri Lankan top order decimated, the tailenders offered little resistance as Maharaj continued his relentless assault. He swiftly accounted for Prabath Jayasuriya and Vishwa Fernando, leaving the visitors teetering on the brink of defeat. The final blow was delivered by Marco Jansen, who dismissed Lahiru Kumara to secure South Africa’s comprehensive victory.
This resounding triumph not only solidified South Africa’s dominance in the series but also significantly bolstered their position in the WTC standings. By leapfrogging Australia and India, the Proteas have staked a strong claim for a place in the coveted WTC final. The result also effectively eliminated Sri Lanka from contention for the final, further emphasizing the significance of South Africa’s victory.
South African captain Temba Bavuma, who was named man of the series for his consistent batting performances, lauded his team’s resilience and character. He acknowledged the challenging nature of the contest, highlighting Sri Lanka’s formidable batting lineup and their persistent efforts to secure a victory. Bavuma emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and executing their skills under pressure, attributing their success to their unwavering commitment to the fight. The victory served as a testament to the team’s growing maturity and their ability to perform consistently at the highest level. With this resounding win, South Africa has firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in Test cricket.
