Marco Jansen delivered his best-ever bowling performance in Tests by rattling the Sri Lankan batting order to help the Proteas bundle the visitors out for a paltry score of 42 runs in the second innings of the ongoing South Africa vs Sri Lanka Test at Kingsmead, Durban. The South African bowling allrounder recorded figures of 7-13 in 6.5 overs. Jansen’s seven-wicket haul caused Sri Lanka to record their lowest-ever total in Test history. Notably, Jansens’s best-ever Test bowling performance comes only four days after he secured a ₹7 crore deal with Punjab Kings at the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Marco Jansen wreaked havoc as Sri Lanka could only last 83 balls, the second-shortest in Test history. While Jansen tore through Sri Lanka’s batting order with seven wickets, Gerald Coetzee took two and Kagiso Rabada started the attack with a wicket.
ALSO ON ABP Live | RCB Best Playing 11 For IPL 2025: Most Likely Team For Royal Challengers Bengaluru In Indian Premier League Season 18
Jansen's Seven-Wicket Haul Sinks Sri Lanka to Record-Low Total
The Sri Lankan team's downfall began early, as they were reduced to 16/4 after just 7.1 overs. Pathum Nissanka (3), Dimuth Karunaratne (2), Dinesh Chandimal (0) and Angelo Mathews (1) were all dismissed cheaply. Jansen accounted for three of the four wickets, with Rabada taking the other. Kamindu Mendis fought to keep the score ticking but was dismissed for 13 runs, the highest a Sri Lankan batter could get. Shortly after Mendis' departure, Jansen quickly wrapped up the innings, and Sri Lanka was bowled out for just 42 runs.
Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first. The Proteas did not get to a good start with the bat as half their side was reduced for just 83 runs. Sri Lankan bowlers eventually bowled the hosts out for 191 runs, with South African captain Temba Bavuma being the highest-scorer for the team with 70 runs. Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara each claimed three wickets.
At the time of writing, South Africa were 77-2, leading by 230 runs.