SA vs SL, 2nd Test: Temba Bavuma inspires 2-0 sweep as Proteas close in on WTC final

South Africa continued their dream run in Test cricket, inching closer to the World Test Championship 2023-25 final. The Proteas outclassed Sri Lanka in a hard-fought second Test at the St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Monday, December 9 to complete a 2-0 win of the series at home. South Africa have stitched a five-match winning run in 2024 to sprint ahead of the competition in the race to the WTC final.

South Africa returned to the top of the World Test Championship table, overtaking Australia who hammered India by 10 wickets in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide on Sunday, December 8.

World Test Championship Table

Temba Bavuma’s return to the side proved fruitful as the South African captain hit a hundred and three fifties in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka. Bavuma missed South Africa’s 2-0 win in Bangladesh, but he stormed back to peak form, hurting the Sri Lankans in the two Tests.

While South Africa hammered Sri Lanka by 233 runs in Kingsmead in Durban, it was a closely fought affair in the second Test.

SA vs SL, 2nd Test: Highlights | Scorecard

The match began with South Africa choosing to bat first in blustery conditions at St George’s Park. The initial session saw South Africa struggle, slumping to 44 for 3 against aggressive Sri Lankan bowling. However, a pivotal 133-run partnership between Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma turned the tide. Rickelton, playing in only his eighth Test, scored his maiden Test century, reaching 101 off 231 deliveries. This innings, combined with Bavuma’s 78 and a crucial 77-run stand between Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne for the sixth wicket, helped South Africa post a competitive 269 for 7 by the end of the first day.

Verreynne went on to hit a hundred and pushed South Africa’s first innings total to 358.In response, Sri Lanka managed to score 328 runs in their first innings. Pathum Nissanka was the standout performer for the visitors, contributing a solid 89 runs. South Africa’s bowling attack was led by Dane Paterson, who took five wickets, making sure Sri Lanka did not get a first-innings lead.

South Africa shone in the second innings with the bat, posting 317 runs, with notable contributions from Temba Bavuma, who scored 66 runs, and Tristan Stubbs with 47 runs. Prabath Jayasuriya from Sri Lanka was the most successful bowler in this innings, taking five wickets. Despite Jayasuriya’s efforts, South Africa set a challenging target for the visitors.

In their second innings, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 238 runs in 69.1 overs. Keshav Maharaj was the hero with the ball for South Africa, claiming five wickets and playing a pivotal role in dismantling the Sri Lankan batting lineup. South Africa’s bowlers maintained a tight grip throughout, ensuring Sri Lanka’s chase was thwarted effectively.