South Africa were known for being the strongest team in the world on away tours. However, it seems as though they no longer carry this tag as they have been dismantled by a rejuvenated Sri Lankan side coached by the mercurial Chandika Hathurusingha.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Sri Lankan batsmen got starts but failed to convert it to big scores. Keshav Maharaj took wickets at regular intervals but couldn’t stop the hosts from making over 300 runs.

In the end, Maharaj ended with 9 wickets to his name in the first innings as Sri Lanka posted a score of 338 runs. Danushka Gunathilaka, Dimuth Karunaratne and Dhananjaya de Silva scored 57, 53 and 60 runs while Akila Dananjayamade 43 runs batting at number 9 to push the Lankans score to over 300.

In response, South African batters couldn’t muster anything special as their highest scorer was captain Faf du Plessis with 48 runs to his name. The Proteas made only 124 runs and lasted under 35 overs in a dismal show lacking any resilience.

The Sri Lankan spinners were all over them as Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya and Rangana Herath took four, five and one wickets to clean up the visitors.

Sri Lanka chose to not enforce the follow-on and came out batting with all guns blazing. Openers Gunathilaka and Karunaratne smashed 61 and 85 respectively to give them the start they required.

They ended up with a total of 275 runs on board with the loss of five wickets before declaring and giving South Africa 490 runs to chase. Maharaj was once again the highest wicket-taker for South Africa as he took three wickets in the second innings.

With a mammoth total to of 490 to chase, South Africa batsmen once again fell prey to Sri Lankan spinners. Only Theunis de Bruyn and Temba Bavuma scored over 50 runs as the former played magnificently for his 101 while the latter supported him well to make 63.

In this innings, it was the veteran Rangana Herath who did the damage as he finished with 6 wickets to his name while Dilruwan Perera and Akila Dananjaya took two wickets each to give Sri Lanka the match and the series.

Scores

Sri Lanka first innings – 338/10

Dhananjaya de Silva – 60 (109) | Keshav Maharaj – 41.1-10-129-9

South Africa first innings – 124/10

Faf du Plessis – 48 (51) | Akila Dananjaya – 13-2-52-5

Sri Lanka second innings – 275/5

Dimuth Karunaratne – 85 (136) | Keshav Maharaj – 40-4-154-3