South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2019: Visitors Clinch Historic Test Series Win

Sri Lanka has created history as they went on to defeat South Africa in the second Test match at Port Elizabeth. The tourists have stunned the Proteas as they have whitewashed them. The visitors won the second match by eight wickets to clinch the series 2-0. It was a fine effort from the Sri Lankan team as they were able to tick the right boxes. The guests had won the first Test match by one wicket after Kausal Perera scored an undefeated knock of 153 runs.

Consequently, Sri Lanka has become the first Asian side to win Test series on the South Africa soil. It was an unbelievable performance from the visiting team as they came out all guns blazing.

Man of the match:

Kusal Mendis received the Man of the match for scoring 84 runs in the second innings to help his team chase down 197 runs.

The turning point of the match:

Sri Lanka was able to bounce back in the match when they skittled South Africa for a paltry score of 128 in the second essay. Suranga Lakma bowled with fire and took four wickets in the second innings to keep his team in the match. Thus, the Islanders had to chase only 197 to create history.

South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2019: South Africa 1st Innings:

South Africa was able to post 222 in the first innings after Faf du Plessis won the toss and decided to bat first. However, the hosts got off to a horrible start as they lost three wickets on the score of 15 runs. Meanwhile, South African opener Aiden Markram and Faf du Plessis added 58 runs. Markram scored a good knock of 60 but the middle order floundered.

Meanwhile, Quinton de Kock continued his good form and played a counter-attacking inning as he scored 86 from 87 balls. de Kock knock was helpful in taking South Africa to a par score.

Vishwa Fernando who finished as the leading wicket-getter (12) of the series took three wickets in the first innings. Furthermore, Kasun Rajitha scalped three wickets whereas Dananjaya de Silva took two wickets.

South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2019: Sri Lanka 1st innings:

On the other hand, Sri Lanka could not come up with a good batting performance in the first dig. The tourists were bundled out for 154 runs in the first innings. Niroshan Dickwella played a quickfire knock of 42 runs off just 36 balls. Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada scalped four wickets whereas Duanne Olivier took three wickets, to give a lead of 66 runs to their team.

South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2019: South Africa 2nd Innings

But, the hosts could not make most of the first innings lead. South Africa could not come up with a good batting as they faltered again. Sri Lanka’s premier fast bowler Suranga Lakmal scalped four wickets to leave the hosts reeling. The hosts could only manage 128 runs to give a target of 197 to the visitors.

South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2019: Sri Lanka 2nd Innings

Subsequently, Kusal Mendis and Oshada Fernando added 163 runs for the third wicket. Mendis scored a fine 84 whereas rookie batsman Oshada Fernando scored his maiden Test fifty.

Kusal Perera was awarded the Man of the series as the southpaw batsman was the leading run-getter in the series. Perera scored 224 runs in the series. The southpaw batsman had played a match-winning knock in the first Test match at Durban.

This is a big win for Islanders as it will give them a lot of confidence. They had faced an ignominious defeat against Australia but this series will inspire them.