South Africa sealed a resounding 233-run victory over a determined yet ultimately overpowered Sri Lanka in the Durban Test, with Marco Jansen delivering a career-best performance. Jansen’s phenomenal 11-wicket haul became the centerpiece of the match, setting new records at Kingsmead and leaving the Sri Lankan batting order in disarray.
The match began with South Africa being bowled out for a modest 191 runs in their first innings, raising concerns about their batting depth. However, those worries were short-lived as Jansen unleashed a fiery spell that dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting lineup. In a stunning display of pace and precision, Jansen returned with figures of 7/13, skittling Sri Lanka for just 42 runs—their lowest Test score in history. His fiery bowling attack swung the momentum firmly in South Africa’s favor, with the visitors unable to mount any resistance against his lethal deliveries.
South Africa capitalised on their advantage in the second innings with the bat. Skipper Temba Bavuma and middle-order batter Tristan Stubbs both notched centuries, putting South Africa in a commanding position. Their composed and aggressive partnership set the tone for the innings, enabling the Proteas to declare at a mammoth 516-run target for Sri Lanka to chase.
Faced with such a daunting total, Sri Lanka’s batting woes continued in the fourth innings. Jansen once again proved unplayable, claiming 4/73 to finish the match with 11 wickets in total. This remarkable feat made him the first left-arm South African pacer to achieve a 10-wicket haul in Durban, cementing his status as the match’s standout performer.
Despite some spirited resistance from Sri Lanka’s lower order, their batters had no answers for Jansen’s consistency and precision. The combination of Jansen’s pace, bounce, and ability to extract movement off the surface proved too much for the visitors, ensuring a historic victory for South Africa.
This dominant win not only showcased the Proteas’ bowling strength but also underscored their ability to bounce back from a shaky start. With this triumph, South Africa reaffirmed their place as a formidable force in Test cricket, while Jansen’s record-breaking performance etched his name in the annals of Kingsmead’s history.
