Twitter Goes Wild As Kusal Perera Leads Sri Lanka To Stunning Win Over South Africa
Neither Sri Lanka nor South Africa would perhaps ever forget the just-concluded Test in Durban. A Sri Lankan win was the last thing anything would have expected with the way things have turned out for the Islanders in recent years as well as this game. Sri Lanka had arrived in South Africa battered and bruised. They had dropped their skipper Dinesh Chandimal and were without Angelo Mathews – their former skipper and the most experienced player.
However, all those made little difference in the end as Kusal Perera played the knock of his life to fire Sri Lanka to a breathtaking win. The southpaw remained unbeaten on 153, helping the visitors chase down an improbable 304 with a wicket left.
On the very expected notes, South Africa started the day on the front foot. It took Dale Steyn just three deliveries to rattle Sri Lanka in the first session on day four. Sri Lanka stated the day on a precarious 83 for 3 before Steyn struck twice in quick succession. The veteran pacer removed Oshada Fernando and Niroshan Dickwella inside an over to reduce the tourists to 110 for 5. An unbeaten 56-run stand between Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva then helped Sri Lanka head into lunch on 166 for 3.
The duo started brightly after lunch too but before they could pose more trouble, Keshav Maharaj dismissed de Silva to end the 96-run stand. Sri Lanka then lost wickets in heap and found themselves reeling at 226 for 9 from 206 for 5.
With still 78 runs needed, the game was all but sealed in South Africa’s favour. However, Perera was not ready to throw in the towel yet. He scored occasional boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking and found good support from Vishwa Fernando who somehow managed to save his wicket. South Africa threw everything at the duo but nothing worked before Perera finished the game with a four, sending his teammates and fans into ecstasy.
Meanwhile, Twitter was quick to lavish praise on Perera and Sri Lanka. Here are some of the reactions:
One of the greatest test matches in the recent past. #SAvSL Made for great viewing too.. Well done to both the teams?
— Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) February 16, 2019
Did someone say test cricket is dying?? Sri Lanka!!! you beauty, take a bow Kusal Perera and well done to @IamDimuth for a historic win. #SAvSL congrats @RusselArnold69
— Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) February 16, 2019
Conceding first innings lead. Chasing over 300 in the fourth innings. Sri Lanka has just scripted one of the most memorable Test match victories of modern times. Well played ?? #SAvSL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 16, 2019
That is surely one of the greatest Test innings of all time. Sri Lanka had won one of their previous 19 matches in all formats; they were playing one of the world's strongest bowling attacks in their own conditions, chasing 304 to win & were reduced to 226 for 9. Bonkers. #SAvSL
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) February 16, 2019
Hang on, Sri Lanka are shite right…? At least thats what everyone said when England beat them 3-0…..ahhh right….England….nuff said…. #SAvSL
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) February 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/Sajjanlaunda/status/1096760281269563392
https://twitter.com/TheSaintKopite/status/1096760961967390720
Highest 10th wicket partnerships in 4th innings to win a Test match:
78* – Kusal Perera and Vishwa Fernando vs SA, Today
57* – Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mushtaq Ahmed vs AUS, 1994#SAvSL— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) February 16, 2019
153 not out – same score as Brian Lara finished on in Barbados in that one-wicket win v Australia in 1999 #SAvSL
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) February 16, 2019
Chasing 305, from 110-5 to 226-9 to winning the match
155* off 200, 12 4s, 5 6s
The greatest 4th innings knock of all time, par with Lara's 153*. Kusal Perera, you beauty. One of the greatest feats in cricket history.
Mind blowing stuff. Congrats Lanka! @RusselArnold69 #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/dBHBioBA7V
— Agent Vikram (@SriniMaama16) February 16, 2019
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