South Africa defeated Sri Lanka 4-0 in the second Test at St George’s Park with determination, skill and a spectacular last-day finish. The 109-run victory clinched the series for the Proteas and also elevated them to the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, resuming their run towards the highly anticipated final at Lord’s in June.
They started on a rare fifth day, which is a rarity these days in Test cricket. As we stepped into the closing hours, the odds were just right — five wickets in hand for Sri Lanka, 143 runs to chase, and an obstinate old ball for South Africa. Although the drama was inching towards an epic end, it never really materialized as South Africa’s spinners, spearheaded by Keshav Maharaj, tore down Sri Lanka’s batsmen with clinical skill.
Maharaj’s 5/76 helped them dismiss Sri Lanka at 245 in the second innings. His hard work and his willingness to return to “old-fashioned Test cricket” was decisive. He had complained after Day 4 of trying to go after wickets without needing them, but he made up for it in spectacular fashion as he gnawed at the visitors.
Sri Lanka’s dim hopes depended on the overnight partnership between Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, whose duo had kept the ship afloat at 97. Their calm appeared vital to hold up to South Africa’s plan to let down runs until the new ball arrived. But then, the game got off track in the middle of Day 5, as Maharaj hammered a fatal blow, forcing Mendis to take a lead. Aiden Markram’s catch, taken inches off the ground at slip, was dramatic and the replays carefully examined to make sure there was no misstep.
This dismissal opened the floodgates. The tail did not hold up as the last five wickets collapsed for 33 runs. This was punctuated by Ryan Rickelton’s midwicket off Lahiru Kumara in the final minutes, ending Sri Lanka’s heroic innings.
This victory was another great chapter in South Africa’s Test streak. Combined with this win, along with New Zealand’s recent loss to England, all South Africa will need to do to book their spot in the WTC final is win one of their two Test matches against Pakistan. The opening of those Tests comes on 26 December at Centurion and the second one at Newlands in January.
Both bat and ball’s regular efforts highlight South Africa’s versatility and breadth on the format. This win was rooted in Dane Paterson’s pivotal first innings knock of 5/71 including three wickets in one over. It had contributions from Keshav Maharaj, Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne, who each made difference throughout the game.
For Sri Lanka, this defeat was a brutal wake-up call. They fall to #4 in the WTC rankings and are now struggling to sustain their campaign. There’s little relief ahead for them as their two-Test matches against Australia in Galle will be close to an end, with them needing encouraging performances from the other teams to have even a small chance of making the final.
Though their St George’s Park performance displayed signs of fighting spirit (especially Dhananjaya de Silva), the consistency and discipline to sustain a run in such an enervating environment fell through. It’s obvious they’ll need to adjust if they want to get on top of the competition in the months ahead.
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The success of South Africa at St George’s Park demonstrates just how irresistible Test cricket can be. It was only the third Test in this year to reach Day 5 without rain, proving the benefits of a well-engineered pitch. These thrilling competitions remind us of the very essence of the game. Thank you to the curator Adrian Carter and his crew for sanding the court, so bat and ball can stand out.
For South Africa, this is more than a win on the WTC table — it’s an affirmation of their revival as a red-ball powerhouse. The Proteas are on their way to Lord’s, and they don’t plan to pave it easy. For viewers, the climactic finale of this old Test should serve as a timely reminder why the longest form is the most beloved.
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