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Cricket fans witnessed a shocking turn of events as Sri Lanka crumbled to their lowest Test total of the 21st century, managing just 42 runs in their first innings against South Africa during the opening Test of the two-match series at Kingsmead, Durban.
Marco Jansen Dismantles Sri Lanka
South African pacer Marco Jansen delivered a masterclass in seam bowling, ending with extraordinary figures of 5/13 in just 6.5 overs. His fiery spell left the Sri Lankan batters clueless, exposing their inability to cope with the bounce and pace on offer.
This dismal total ranks as Sri Lanka’s lowest Test score in the 21st century, surpassing their previous low of 73 against Pakistan in 2009.
Lowest Test Totals in the 21st Century
| Team | Opposition | Total | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | Australia | 36 | Adelaide |
| Ireland | England | 38 | Lord’s |
| Sri Lanka | South Africa | 42 | Durban |
A Test of Low Scores
This Test has been dominated by bowlers, with both teams struggling to post substantial totals. South Africa, batting first, could only muster 191 runs, with Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara claiming six wickets between them.
In response, Sri Lanka’s batting lineup capitulated under relentless pressure from the South African quicks. Jansen’s brilliance, supported by contributions from Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada, saw the visitors bowled out for just 42 runs, handing South Africa a commanding 149-run first-innings lead.
With Sri Lanka now staring at a daunting challenge to save the match, this Test could serve as a cautionary tale about adapting to hostile conditions and mastering the art of survival against world-class pace attacks.
