Sri Lanka spinners, Dilruwan Perera and Rangana Herath demolished the South African batting lineup in the second innings to fold the visitors for 73 as the home team recorded a 278-run win in the first Test match in Galle on Saturday.
After being set a target of 352, the Proteas folded up inside one session to record their lowest score in Test cricket since readmission in 1992.
The visiting opener, Dean Elgar started the procession when he came out of the crease and got himself stumped in the 6th over off Perera. Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma and Faf Du Plessis were caught by the close-in fielders.
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Markram too was stumped by Dickwella while Quinton De Kock was struck plumb in front by Dilruwan Perera. The tail could not wag as the spinners destroyed the world number two-ranked team.
It was quite remarkable to watch the Sri Lankans at full flow after they were thrashed by the Proteas in their own den a few months back. This time it was all about experience for the hosts.
Dimuth Karunaratne showed why he is one of the best Test openers in the world at present with a century and half century while on the other hand, Dilruwan Perera and Rangana Herath – the oldest of spin twins playing together at present – showed their class in both innings with Dilruwan being the stand out.
Earlier, Sri Lanka started off day three 272 runs ahead and looking to drive home the advantage. Angelo Mathews was desperately in need of a substantial score along with Roshen Silva who has been struggling for form after his dream start.
The duo looked solid to begin with. A powerful straight drive from Mathews seemed destined to the boundary, only before Kagiso Rabada intercepted it on his follow-through as the ball ricocheted onto the stumps. To make things worse, Silva was caught well short, sending him back in the most unfortunate way for just 13.
Niroshan Dickwella didn’t last too long as he nicked one behind off Rabada who was in the middle of a hostile spell, before Dilruwan followed soon after shouldering arms against the same bowler.
Skipper Suranga Lakmal promoted himself one slot up the order to no. 9 and seemed to be building a useful stand with Mathews, before the latter looked to go big against Keshav Maharaj only to see his stumps rattled.
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Lakmal continued to play some extravagant drives against the spinners to extend the lead and hurt the spirits of the Proteas.
Rangana Herath tried to play all kinds of sweeps during his short stay, before it eventually led to his own downfall when he was castled by Tabraiz Shamsi for zero. Lakshan Sandakan was the last man out when Dale Steyn sent a brute of a delivery as Sri Lanka folded up for 190.
Rabada who bowled with plenty of heart captured three scalps for the Proteas while Maharaj finished with four wickets as South Africa was set 352 runs for victory before things went horribly wrong.
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