Listless Sri Lanka crash to innings defeat

Final Score: Sri Lanka*: 180 - 150 / 10 in 39.1 overs RR: 3.83, South Africa: 411 in 122.0 overs RR: 3.37

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 South Africa’s ruthless pace attack made short work of Sri Lanka at centurion, rolling them over for 150 after the hosts had stretched their lead to 231 on the third morning. As a result, South Africa went 1-0 up in the three match series by an emphatic margin- an innings and 81 runs. Sri Lanka’s second innings lasted only 39.1 overs after the hosts’ last wicket stand had extended the lead well past 200 on the third morning.

Vernon Philander was the best bowler on display, picking up 10 for 102 with five wicket hauls in both the innings. With this effort, the dream start to his career has continued for he has four five-fors in his first three matches. He was ably supported by Dale Steyn, who returned with figures of six for 54.

After Imran Tahir and Mark Boucher pushed South Africa to 411, Sri Lankan batsmen were left with the Herculean task of scoring 232 to make the Proteas bat again. But, Philander got Dilshan in the fourth over to make it clear that the only result possible was of a South African win.

Steyn got better of Tharanga Paranavitana in the next over to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 11 for 2. Their two most experienced batsmen, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene fell with score still to cross 40 and by the time Mathews and Samarweera fell in quick succession, it was matter of when rather than if.

Eventually, Sri Lanka’s total was less than what they had got in the first innings. Their combined runs in both innings amount to a dismal 330 in 86.5 overs. With the second match ten days away, the visitors have enough time to do some soul searching otherwise the series is as good as over.

Summary: Day One

South Africa needed only 47.4 overs to stamp their authority on the opening day of the series as the hosts took control by bowling out Sri Lanka for 180. Vernon Philander continued the fairytale start to his Test career with third five-for in five innings and Dale Steyn scalped four in seamer-friendly conditions to skittle out the visitors. In reply, Graeme Smith was solid in his 61-run knock but fell moments before the close to leave his side well placed at 90 for 1.

On a pitch that was greener than some of the subcontinent outfields, Sri Lanka were in trouble almost immediately after being asked to bat first. Against Philander and Steyn, who made the ball talk, Sri Lankan batsmen were found wanting. Skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan was the first one to go in the fifth over and his predecessor, Kumar Sangakkara followed him to the pavilion as Sri Lanka slipped to 12 for two. The 56-run stand for the third wicket steadied things a little but Philander produced a jaffa to end Tharanga Paranavitana’s resistance, Sri Lanka went into Lunch at 76 for three.

Sri Lanka tried to fight back after the break but the moving ball made their job difficult. However, Angelo Mathews cashed in on some wayward stuff from Morne Morkel to take Sri Lanka past 150 after Mahela Jayawardene had played a loose shot to be dismissed for 30. As a result, the visitors partially recovered from the early blows to be 156 for 4.

But, worst was yet to come. Philander with some help from the DRS sent back Samarweera and Kaushal Silva in successive deliveries and Imran Tahir removed Thisara Parera as three wickets fell in five deliveries. Philander got one more to complete yet another five-wicket haul before Steyn’s pace accounted for the last two wickets. Sri Lanka lost six wickets for 24 to be bundled out for 180.

In the last session, the South African openers were steady with Smith leading the way. He scored a crisp half-century but was leg-before just before the close. Jacques Rudolph, nursing a damaged finger played cautiously for his 27.

Day Two

After their bowlers had put them in front, it was turn of South African batsmen to take their team into a commanding position after the second day’s play. AB de Villiers missed three figures by just one run but his sublime knock was enough to build a big 209 run lead. His 97-run stand for the sixth wicket with Ashwell Prince ensured that the hosts held the advantage after Sri Lanka bowlers had fought back to reduce the hosts to173 for 5. But, the visitors lacked the resources to prevent a big first innings lead.

With the pitch continuing to help the bowlers, Sri Lankan seamers produced many chances but some lax fielding and vacant positions in the cordon allowed South Africa off the hook. They started the day brightly by removing the night watchman Dale Steyn cheaply. Hashim Amla hit some crisp strokes before being smartly caught by Angelo Mathews. A struggling Rudolph couldn’t do much on an away going delivery to be dismissed for 44. Jacque Kallis started with lot of promise but a painful blow on a Dilhara Fernando bouncer left him dazed. He too was caught in the slips as Sri Lanka began to claw their way back into the match.

But, AB de Villiers and Prince, both lucky to survive close calls, batted sensibly to take their side past Sri Lanka’s score and by the time, de Villiers fell for 99, South Africa were on course for a match-winning lead. Prince made 39 and Mark Boucher extended the lead with last man, Imran Tahir as the hosts ended on 389 for 9.