Bavuma hails team effort as South Africa top WTC standings with series win over Lanka

South African captain Temba Bavuma said his team’s 109-run win in the second Test against Sri Lanka at St George’s Park on Monday was a big step forward for a largely inexperienced group of players.

“For a lot of the guys it was a proper taste of what Test cricket is about,” said Bavuma of a hard-fought match which went into the fifth day.

“It’s rare when you get to play for five days and it’s also rare when the game is always in the balance. There were times when we were on top and times when Sri Lanka were getting the momentum on their side.”

The win put South Africa on top of the World Test Championship table, which is based on average points gained.

South Africa can make certain of qualifying for the final at Lord’s in England next June if they beat Pakistan in a two-match series which starts on Dec.26.

“The championship table looks good,” said Bavuma during the post-match presentation. “We see ourselves at number one with two games to go. I don’t know what the maths looks like but we’re playing good cricket and we want it to continue.”

Bavuma was named player of the series after scoring 327 runs in four innings, with a century and three fifties, but said other individuals in the team were making major contributions.

Three South Africans made centuries and three bowlers had five-wicket hauls, including left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who took five for 76 to seal Monday’s win.

“It’s always a good sign when guys are putting in match-winning performances. It speaks to the hunger and desire amongst the team.”

Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva said his team had improved on their performance in Durban, where they were beaten by 233 runs after being blown away for 42 in the first innings.

“The guys fought hard but it was not good enough,” said De Silva.

“The bowling attack that South Africa had kept asking questions.”

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are now fourth in the running for a spot in the final and will be playing Australia in a two-game Test series in January.

Sri Lanka entered this match with a point to prove, especially after a crushing 233-run defeat in the first Test in Durban, where they were bowled out for a record low of 42 in the first innings.

After winning the toss, South Africa opted to bat first but found themselves in early trouble before Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton steadied the ship with a vital 133-run partnership.

Rickelton reached a well-deserved century but was dismissed shortly afterwards, as South Africa finished Day 1 at 269/7.

They resumed Day 2 with wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne unbeaten on 48, who guided Proteas to a total of 358. Verreynne reached a significant milestone, securing his third Test century in the process. Sri Lanka showed resilience with the bat and ended Day 2 at 242/3, led by Pathum Nissanka’s gritty 89.

On Day 3, Sri Lanka started strongly, but their momentum was halted when Dane Paterson struck with the new ball, claiming his maiden five-for to bowl out Sri Lanka for 328.

South Africa piled on their 30-run lead and closed day 3 at 191/3, maintaining a strong position in the match.

Tristan Stubbs and Temba Bavuma added 104 runs after which valuable contributions from David Bedingham and the lower order took them to a total of 317. Jayasuriya capped off an excellent performance by completing his five-wicket haul.

Heading into the final day of the second Test, the match was perfectly poised as Sri Lanka needed 143 runs to level the series, while South Africa was just five wickets away from a clean sweep.

Agencies

Brief Score:

SA: 358/10 & 317/10 (Temba Bavuma (66), Aiden Markram (55); Prabath Jayasuriya (129-5) defeated Sri Lanka: 328 & 238 (Dhananjaya de Silva (50), Kusal Mendis (46); Keshav Maharaj 76-5) by 109 runs.