Resuming Day 4 of the first Test on a score of 103/5 with 413 runs to be hunted down, it was always going to be an uphill task for Sri Lanka. The hosts were on top and it felt like it would be just a matter of time before they would emerge victorious.
However, they were made to wait patiently due to two tenacious partnerships, both involving the seasoned Dinesh Chandimal. Dhananjaya de Silva played an impressive supporting role to Chandimal. Both of them weathered out the bowling attack for quite some time, occasionally picking up the boundary too. Skipper De Silva looked particularly comfortable against Keshav Maharaj during his time in the middle.
However, Maharaj had the last laugh by scalping de Silva on 59. Out came Kusal Mendis at No. 8. Due to a surprising move of sending in Prabath Jayasuriya as a night-watcher the previous day, the management held Mendis back to offer some stability to the lower middle-order.
Gerald Coetzee’s caught & bowled to dismiss Chandimal was a soft dismissal in all honesty. The last ray of hope for a miracle was dismissed by the star of the match for the Proteas, Marco Jansen, accounting for his 10th wicket for the match. He eventually ended up with 11 as he rattled the stumps of Asitha Fernando to provide his side with a comprehensive victory.
As a result, of this win, the Proteas have leapfrogged Australia to claim the second spot in the current World Test Championship (WTC) standings. If South Africa continue in the same manner they did, they are set to be the favourites to book a berth in the final of the ongoing WTC cycle. Their next three Tests are against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, all at home. They need to win at least to guarantee themselves a shot at the title.
Here’s how X reacted to Day 4 of the first Test between SA and SL:
South Africa made a stunning comeback in the 1st test Match Against Sri Lanka , winning by a massive 233 runs. This impressive victory propelled South Africa to the second spot in the WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP (WTC) point table. #SAvSL #WTC2025 pic.twitter.com/kCd9V8ZVJu
— Akshay Tadvi 🇮🇳 (@AkshayTadvi28) November 30, 2024
South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 233 runs in the first Test match. pic.twitter.com/mDBWSA9cg5
— Arslan Malik (@Pakistan7867869) November 30, 2024
🚨🚨SOUTH AFRICA CLOSE TO WTC FINAL🚨🚨
South Africa crush Sri Lanka to claim the first Test victory in Durban against them! 🎉💪
A dominant performance sealed this momentous occasion.
SA’s bowlers stood tall! 🏏#SAvSL #INDvsAUS #MarcoJansen #AUSvIND #INDvsPMXI #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/DSS5VcMrmf
— Sports Shastra (@SportShastra) November 30, 2024
11 WICKETS TAKEN BY MARCO JANSEN VS SRI LANKA IN THIS TEST MATCH.!!!🔥
– The Superstar of South Africa pic.twitter.com/4Z6ZMGNAFg
— MANU. (@Manojy9812) November 30, 2024
Dominant display by South Africa! 🇿🇦 Temba Bavuma’s team crushes Sri Lanka by 233 runs in the 1st Test.
🏆 One step closer to the WTC Final at Lord’s! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/jPfckNqLSF
— Hemant Bhavsar (@hemantbhavsar86) November 30, 2024
SOUTH AFRICA DEFEATED SRI LANKA BY 233 RUNS IN THE FIRST TEST…!!!! 🏆
– Temba Bavuma & his team is closing to the WTC final at Lord’s. pic.twitter.com/iO0DMk3vgz
— Himanshu Ladha (@HimanshuLadha8) November 30, 2024
Twitter Reactions: Brydon Carse, Chris Woakes maintain England’s stronghold against New Zealand on Day 3
Twitter Reactions: Centuries from South Africa Captain Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs deflates Sri Lanka on Day 3
Twitter Reactions: Harry Brook’s ton saves England from collapse on Day 2 against New Zealand
Twitter Reactions: 19-wicket day ends with South Africa on top against Sri Lanka on Day 2
