South Africa clean sweep Sri Lanka series & top WTC points table again

 



South Africa inched closer to securing a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final with a commanding 109-run victory over Sri Lanka in Gqeberha.


The Proteas wrapped up the match in just 14.1 overs on the final day, dismissing Sri Lanka's remaining five wickets in the Eastern Cape. This win not only gave South Africa a 2-0 series triumph but also propelled them to the top of the WTC standings, ahead of Australia.


Led by Temba Bavuma, South Africa will confirm their place in the WTC final at Lord's in June if they win both matches in their upcoming Test series against Pakistan, starting on Boxing Day.


Sri Lanka began the fifth day at 205-5, needing 143 more runs to claim victory at St George's Park. Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, who had built an 83-run partnership on day four, resumed the chase. However, their resistance was short-lived as left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj broke the stand early, dismissing Mendis with an edge to slip in the fourth over of the day.


Kagiso Rabada struck soon after, removing Dhananjaya caught behind. From there, the Sri Lankan innings collapsed rapidly, with the team bowled out for 238, losing their last five wickets for just 19 runs. Maharaj claimed three of those wickets, securing his 11th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.


South Africa’s victory was built on the back of centuries from Kyle Verreyne and Ryan Rickelton, which gave them a slender first-innings lead. Veteran seamer Dane Paterson also played a key role, taking his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests.


In the second innings, half-centuries from Bavuma and Aiden Markram helped set a challenging target of 348 runs for Sri Lanka, a task that ultimately proved insurmountable for the visitors.


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