Sri Lanka scripted history on Friday by clinching the 2nd Test against South Africa by 8 wickets at the St George's Park in Port Elizabeth. They not only whitewashed the Proteas 2-0 in their own den but also became the first Asian nation to win a Test series on South African soil. Also, they became just the third nation after Australia and England to reach this feat since South Africa’s re-admission in 1991.
Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne (19) and Lahiru Thirimanne (10) may have had failed to provide a solid start on the previous day as they both returned to the pavilion within the first 10 overs during the 197-run chase. However, Oshado Fernando and Kusal Mendis utilised the opportunity and wrote a new chapter in the history of Test cricket.
Requiring 137 runs more to win, the Lankans resumed the innings at 60 for 2 on the third day and then, there was no looking back. The Proteas toiled hard to dent into the Sri Lanka batting line-up but ultimately, they found themselves at the receiving end.
The duo of Fernando and Mendis stitched a historic 163-run stand for the third wicket and returned with one of the biggest smiles in their faces. Both the batters brought up their respective fifties and took the game home in the 46th over. Mendis remained unbeaten on 84 while Fernando remained unbeaten on 75 and hit the winning runs off Keshav Maharaj’s delivery.
The duo also registered the third-highest partnerships for Sri Lanka in 4th innings.
The second day turned out to be an extraordinary day's play during which 18 wickets fell and 282 runs were scored, leaving both teams with a chance of victory.
The hosts seemed set to take control when Sri Lanka collapsed in a flurry of strokes to be bowled out for 154 before lunch, getting a first innings lead of 68 runs. But Sri Lanka's bowlers hit back, bowling out the hosts for a paltry 128 - by 40 runs their lowest total in a home Test against the islanders.
Suranga Lakmal, Sri Lanka's most experienced bowler, took four for 39, while part-time off-spinner Dhananjaya de Silva took a Test-best three for 36.
Sri Lanka, by contrast, had lost six and drawn one of their previous seven Tests before arriving in South Africa with their team seemingly in disarray. The selectors had made wholesale changes, including the dropping of captain Dinesh Chandimal, several players were missing because of injuries, while coach Chandika Hathurusingha was stripped of some of his powers.
Yet the Sri Lankans heeded the call of Dimuth Karunaratne, who was announced as 'interim' captain, to "compete in every session" and to play with a smile on their faces.