Sri Lanka re-write cricket history with incredible Test first
Sri Lanka have thrashed South Africa in the second Test in Port Elizabeth, becoming the first Asian side in Test cricket history to win a series in South Africa.
After their incredible run chase in the first Test gave them a 1-0 lead, the tourists secured the series victory on Saturday with a crushing win by eight wickets.
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Starting the day needing 137 runs for history, Oshada Fernando (75) and Kusal Mendis (84) both made half-centuries and remained unbeaten to guide Sri Lanka to victory.
It also means Sri Lanka are just the third side to win a Test series in South Africa, joining Australia and England.It was a remarkable turnaround after South Africa took a 68-run lead after the first innings.
South Africa seemed set to take control when Sri Lanka collapsed on Friday to be bowled out for 154 before lunch, but the Proteas also collapsed to be all out for 128.
South Africa, who gained Test cricket status in 1889, had never lost a home series to an Asian side until now.
Sri Lanka appeared to be in crisis less than a month ago.
They were thrashed 2-0 by Australia Down Under, following a similar 3-0 thrashing in England in November, and hadn’t won a game in any format since October.
The stunning success came against all expectations after arriving for the two-Test series with a new captain and a patched-up team.
The never-before-seen moment sent the cricket world into a frenzy.
U think u understand test cricket and then sri Lanka beats south Africa 0-2 … shocked outwitted stunned kinda feeling this #SAvsSL
— Dumbpunter (@Dumbpunter1) February 23, 2019
What a story. Sri Lanka are on the verge of a brilliant, unexpected series victory in South Africa, their first ever in the country. Outstanding.
— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) February 23, 2019
West indies defeated England. Sri Lanka defeated South Africa. Test cricket at its best these days. #WorldCup2019 is going to b a cracker 😍#WIvENG #SAvSL #
— Ashish Chandoke (@ashishchandoke) February 23, 2019
Sri Lanka on the verge of history😲😲😲😲. What a turnaround from getting whitewashed at home by England to beating South Africa in South Africa❤❤
— Talha Asif (@TalhaAsif97) February 23, 2019
It was new born for @OfficialSLC cricket , First Asian team to win a test series in South Africa #SLvSA #SriLanka
— Kumar Kharade (@imkumark30) February 23, 2019
First Asian team to win a Test series in
Australia – India (2018/19)
South Africa – Sri Lanka (2019)
England – India (1970/71)
New Zealand – India (1967/68)
West Indies – India (1970/71)#SAvSL— Jêelån Shêikh 🏏 (@JeelanPrince) February 23, 2019
Sri Lanka winning a test series in South Africa might be the best "feel good" story that Test Cricket has seen for many a year. The format is well and truly alive. #testcricket #savsl #testisbest
— Anthony Kernich (@AntJKernich) February 23, 2019
South Africa’s home record since readmission. Extremely impressive.
This win by Sri Lanka is surely one of the most remarkable in cricket history. (Pic from Howstat). pic.twitter.com/G3FQzPR3U5
— Paul Dennett (@the_summer_game) February 23, 2019
Sri Lanka winning a series in South Africa is right up there surely as amongst the best of all time. Quite some achievement. 👏 #SAvSL
— Cheddar (@chetanv82) February 23, 2019
Sri Lanka is the first to blank the Proteas at home since Ricky Ponting’s men won 3-0 in South Africa in 2006.
Before Saturday, that was the only time South Africa had been swept at home since its return to international cricket after the end of apartheid.
South Africa last lost at home three years ago and had won seven-straight series at home.
with agencies