South Africa’s Marco Jansen delivered a career-best performance to decimate Sri Lanka in the first Test of the two-match series at Durban’s Kingsmead Stadium. The Proteas bowled out Sri Lanka for a mere 42 runs in just 13.5 overs, their lowest total in Test cricket history. Jansen’s fiery spell of 6.5 overs, conceding just 13 runs and claiming seven wickets, left cricket fans and experts awestruck.

This record-breaking performance placed Jansen alongside Hugh Trumble (1904) as the only bowler in Test history to take seven wickets within seven overs. Sri Lanka’s innings lasted only 83 balls, the second-fastest Test collapse ever, following South Africa’s 75-ball collapse against England in 1924.

Jansen’s Devastating Spell Breaks Sri Lanka’s Backbone

Jansen’s spell started with two early breakthroughs in the third and fourth overs, dismantling the Sri Lankan openers. His precise line and length rendered the Lankan batting order helpless, leaving the team reeling at 32/5. The middle and lower order offered little resistance, and the innings crumbled within a span of 10 runs.

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Only two Sri Lankan players managed to reach double figures: Kamindu Mendis (13) and Lahiru Kumara (10). The rest, including key players like Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, and Dhananjaya de Silva, failed to make an impact. Five batters departed without scoring, adding to the team’s dismal performance.

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A Day of Records and Disappointment for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s previous lowest total of 71 runs came against Pakistan in 1994. This 42-run disaster now ranks as the ninth-lowest score in Test history and the third-lowest since 2000, following India’s 36 all out in 2020 and Ireland’s 38 in 2019.

The South African bowling unit, led by Jansen, was well-supported by Gerald Coetzee (2/18) and Kagiso Rabada (1/10). Their combined effort restricted Sri Lanka to a record-low against South Africa, surpassing New Zealand’s 45 all-out in Cape Town (2013).

South Africa Builds Commanding Lead

South Africa, having been bowled out for 191 earlier, secured a substantial 149-run lead despite their struggles with the bat. Captain Temba Bavuma led the Proteas’ charge with a resilient 70 runs in an extended morning session on Day 2.

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Sri Lanka’s collapse has dealt a severe blow to their World Test Championship campaign. Their defeat leaves their hopes of qualifying for next year’s final hanging by a thread.

Scorecard:

South Africa 1st Innings: 329/3 in 95 overs (Elgar 63*, Markram 73*, Bavuma 47*, van der Dussen 31; Fernando 1/63, Embuldeniya 1/84).

Sri Lanka 1st Innings: 42 all out in 13.5 overs (Mendis 13, Kumara 10; Jansen 7/13, Coetzee 2/18, Rabada 1/10).

South Africa leads by 478 runs.

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