South Africa claimed a dominant 109-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second Test at St. George’s Park, sweeping the series 2-0. The win propelled them to the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) table, solidifying their chances for the final. Keshav Maharaj, the standout performer, delivered a stellar five-wicket haul on the final day, ensuring South Africa’s triumph with a superb bowling display.
Final-Day Magic by Maharaj
Sri Lanka resumed the final day at 202 for 5, with a steady partnership between Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva. Their sixth-wicket stand, worth 83 runs, had given Sri Lanka hope on a relatively calm pitch. However, Maharaj shattered their resistance in the morning’s seventh over. He dismissed Mendis with a delivery that spun away sharply, forcing an edge that was expertly caught low by Aiden Markram.
Soon after, Kagiso Rabada claimed the crucial wicket of Dhananjaya, who edged a well-pitched delivery to the wicketkeeper while attempting an expansive drive. With their set batters dismissed, Sri Lanka’s lower order collapsed rapidly.
Lower-Order Collapse
Sri Lanka lost their last five wickets for just 19 runs in a mere 62 balls. Prabath Jayasuriya fell to a tempting long-hop from Maharaj, skying it to Temba Bavuma at extra cover. Despite making it to the drinks break, the tail offered little resistance. Vishwa Fernando was caught attempting a wild slog, and Lahiru Kumara top-edged a short ball from Marco Jansen, sealing South Africa’s emphatic victory.
A Comprehensive Series Win
Maharaj’s performance earned him his tenth Test five-wicket haul, with four of those achieved at St. George’s Park. His precise spin bowling and ability to create pressure on the batsmen made him the key weapon in South Africa’s bowling attack. Rabada, too, maintained his consistency, taking crucial wickets throughout the series.
South Africa’s strong batting contributions also played a pivotal role. Temba Bavuma’s gritty 66 and Aiden Markram’s 55 in the second innings laid the foundation for a commanding lead. The bowlers then complemented the effort, ensuring Sri Lanka never gained the upper hand.
Read: Mohammad Rizwan Clarifies Fakhar Zaman’s Absence from South Africa Tour
Path to the WTC Final
With this victory, South Africa moved closer to securing a place in the World Test Championship final. A win in either of their upcoming Tests against Pakistan during the Boxing Day and New Year’s matches would guarantee their spot.
Sri Lanka’s Challenges Ahead
For Sri Lanka, the defeat leaves them with a challenging road to the WTC final. They must defeat Australia in their home series early next year while relying on other results to fall in their favor. Despite a few individual performances, the team failed to capitalize on crucial moments, particularly in Gqeberha, where poor execution let them down.
Looking Ahead
South Africa’s clinical performance has put them in pole position to fight for the WTC title. With momentum on their side and a balanced team firing in all departments, they remain strong contenders. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will need introspection and improved execution to remain competitive in the tournament.
Follow us on Google News, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook,Whats App, and TikTok for latest updates