South Africa secure series victory over Sri Lanka

South Africa secured a 2-0 series whitewash thanks to a ten-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, who collapsed from 176-4 to 211 all out in their second innings, to set the home side just 67 for victory.

Openers Dean Elgar 31* and Aiden Markram 36* breezed through to victory to complete the second Test Match victory in as many games inside fourteen overs.

The home side were in control from start to finish, bowling the visitors out for just 157 on the opening day with Anrich Nortje taking 6-56 and was well backed up by Wiaan Mulder who took 3-25 in his seven overs.

Quinton De Kock’s side began their reply brilliantly, with Elgar (127) and Rassie Van Der Dussen (67) sharing a stand of 184 for the second wicket to set the side well on their way, but the rest of the players failed to make an impact with the bat with no other players passing 20 with extras being the next highest scorer.

That gave Sri Lanka a deficit of 147 to make up in the second innings but despite Dimuth Karunaratne’s brilliant hundred most of the other players struggled with only two other players making it past 30 as the tourists were dismissed for just 211 inside 57 overs.

The South African pacemen were very dangerous again with Lungi Ngidi (4-44) the star of the show with Nortje (2-64) as well as Lutho Sipamla (3-40) contributing to put the home side in full control.

The South African openers were then tasked with the challenge of chasing down just 67 and had well over two and a half days to secure the target. They did so with ease to complete the victory of the series in no time at all.

Sri Lanka have no time to dwell on the series though with England having already arrived in Galle ahead of the two-match series between the nations which starts next Thursday.

Elsewhere in the world of cricket, New Zealand are in firm control of their second Test Match against Pakistan after captain Kane Williamson hit his fourth double century of his career.

That allowed the hosts to declare on 659-6 in reply to Pakistan’s 297 before the visitors were reduced to 8-1 in the 11 overs which were possible before the close of play to put Williamson’s side in command going into day four.

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