The Proteas eased to a ten-wicket win on the third afternoon of yesterday’s second Test match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, securing a 2-0 series whitewash.
South Africa easily chased down the target of 67 set by the Islanders, after Sri Lanka were bowled out for 211 yesterday morning.
On the first day South Africa had bowled Sri Lanka out for 157, with Anrich Nortje, the Warriors quick, being the pick of the bowlers with figures of 6/56. Kusal Perera top scored with 60 for the ‘Lankans.
In reply South Africa managed 302 for a commanding lead of nearly 150. Dean Elgar managed a century with 127. However, of concern for the Proteas will be they lost their last nine wickets for only 84 runs, collapsing from 218/1 to 302 all out. Apart from Elgar only No 3, Rassie van der Dussen, passed 50 with 67.
Sri Lanka’s second dig was an improvement on the first, scoring 211. However, they also suffered something of a collapse, losing their last six wickets for 35 runs. Opener and captain Dimuth Karunaratne top scored with 103, only the fourth hundred made by an opening batsman from an Asian side in South Africa.
Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar made light work of the chase, finishing it off in 13 overs.
South Africa had won the first Test at Centurion by an innings and 45 runs.
South Africa will be happy with the win, having lost to Sri Lanka by an identical margin in 2018, the last time the Islanders had toured the country.
The Proteas’ next assignment is in Pakistan at the end of the month. The touring party is expected to be announced within the next few days.