Sri Lanka crash hits record total of 42 Tests in South Africa

Vishwa Fernando (R) is bowled by Marco Jansen (L) for nothing as Sri Lanka collapse to 42 against South Africa (PHILL MAGAKOE)

Vishwa Fernando (R) is bowled by Marco Jansen (L) for nothing as Sri Lanka collapse to 42 against South Africa (PHILL MAGAKOE)

Fast bowler Marco Jansen took 7-13 as South Africa bowled out Sri Lanka for just 42 in their first innings on the second day of the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban on Thursday.

This was the lowest innings total in Sri Lanka’s history, eclipsing their previous lowest total of 71 against Pakistan in Kandy in 1994.

The lowest score ever recorded in Test cricket remains New Zealand’s 26 against England in Auckland in 1955.

It is also the lowest total recorded by a team against South Africa, three short of New Zealand’s total of 45 in Cape Town in 2013.

It was, however, the second shortest completed innings in Test cricket history, lasting just 83 balls, eight short of the overall record of 75 balls that South Africa lasted when they was bowled out for 30 by England at Birmingham in 1924.

Only two batsmen reached double figures on a pitch that helped the bowlers stand out throughout.

Kamindu Mendis hit three fours to make 13 before hitting a loose drive to left-arm pacer Jansen for first slip – and batsman number 10 Lahiru Kumara hit two fours to make 10 not out.

South Africa, who had already been bowled out for 191 runs, led by 149 runs going into the second innings.

Captain Temba Bavuma top-scored for them with 70. The only other home batsman in the top 20 was Keshav Maharaj, batting at number 10, who made a quick 24.

Brief scores:

South Africa, first innings, 191 all out in 49.4 overs (T. Bavuma 70; A. Fernando 3-44, L. Kumara 3-70, P. Jayasuriya 2-24, V Fernando 2-35)

Sri Lanka, first innings, 42 all out in 13.5 overs (M. Jansen 7-13, G. Coetzee 2-18)

Match situation: South Africa leads by 149 points in the first innings

Draw: Sri Lanka

str/bsp/mw

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