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South Africa have defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and♈ 45 runs on the꧒ fourth day of their first Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Tuesday.
Kusal Perera smashed 64, and Wanindu Hasaranga scored 59 before the visitors were bundled out for 180. They resumed the fourth day at 65/2 but failed to recover after Proteas all-rounder Wiaan Mulder removed overnight batsman Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella in quick successions.
Earlier, Sr𝓀i Lanka started the proceedings well, making 396 after winning the toss. However, an injury-depleted bowling attack ended up conceding 621 runs when the hosts came to bat in their first inn🧜ings.
For South Africa, former skipper Faf du Plessis shined with the willow after he smashed 199 off 276 deliveries. Apart from Du Plessis, Dean Elgar (95), Aiden Markram (68), Temba Bavuma (71) and Keshav Maharaj (73) made valuable contributions for their side.
It was South Africa’s second win in eight matches in the World Test Championship (WTC). They have suffered six defeats. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have lost three🐟 an🌼d drawn one of their five matches.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 621 (Du Plessis 199, Elgar 95, Maharaj 73; Vishwa Fernando 3/121) beat Sri Lanka 396 (Chandimal 85, de Silva 79, Shanaka 66*; Lutho Sipamla 4/76) and 180 (Perera 64, Hasaranga 59, Mulder 2/39) by an innings and 45 runs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
🛑 RESULT | SOUTH AFRICA WINS BY AN🌳 INNINGS AND 45 R꧋UNS
A solid all-rou💃nd performance wit𒀰h both bat and ball sees us start the with a victory
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA)
Sri Lanka scored 340 on Day 1 and still ended up losing the Test by an inngsღ &🧔 45 runs.
There's only one instance of a team scoring more runs on Day 1 and losing by an innings – SL scored 366/8 vs India at Brabourne Stadium in 2009/10 and lost by innings & 24 runs.
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks)
South Africa beat Sri Lanka by innings and 45 runs in the first Test and take 1-0 lead in the two match series – this is great comeback lead by Faf with 199 runs especially after giving 396 runs in the first innings. De Kock the Test captain started with a win.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Wiaan ⛦Mulder had a very impressive Test with match figures:
5-108 & 36 useful lower order runs
Here's young & talented! Let's hope he continues in this upward trend
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA)
Congrats 🇿🇦 Come on 💪
— @Cebo M (@cebza007)
ꩲWell played putting a smile of the citizens of Mzansi after last night.
— NJAR 🇿🇦 🇬🇧 🇦🇺 (@SeasonTravelerZ)
Yoh @QuinnyDeKock69 is chilled man!
One can't tell even when he's happy! 🤣Congrats on the win bro!
— Sgegede (@DSNhlapo)
Congratulations 👏 solid win India you're next
— Mρυmelelo نجاح (@Mpumelelow)
Kusal Mendis has to be one of the most frustrating players in world cricket at the moment. Clearly has a ♎lot of talentඣ but plays lazy shot after lazy shot. Badly needs to add discipline to his game.
— Sean Wilson (@WilsonFC2012)
Oh Quinton. He definitely ain't built for the spotlight 😂
— MKR Cinema (@MKRCINEMA)
Great South Africa won by an innings and 45 Runs
— AnuP MaHapatrA🇮🇳 (@am_i_anup)
//twitter.com/uMfuuh/status/1343881071172136963
QDK is such a babyface. So cute 😍
Don't tell Deano
— Queen Charlotte (@LadyCharlotte01)
Easy decision for Man of the Match!
LIVE:
— 🏏Flashscore Cricket (@FlashCric)
Sri Lanka's last 5 boxing day test matches.
2012 – vs Australia – LOST
2014 – vs New Zealand – LOST
2016 – vs South Africa – LOST
2018 – vs New Zealand – LOST
2020 – vs SOUTH AFRICA – LOST ***— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ)
What a great and comprehensive test victory! Performances and contributions from all the players and now, halfway to redem🃏ption.
— Captain Demigod 🦉🍉 (@KKarjiker)
Big win for the Proteasꦑ.On the field and also a morale booster for the dressing room.S Lanka have some injury worries ahead of the 2♚nd test whereas the Proteas have been strengthened by return. Well done to @QuinnyDeKock69 and the boys.
— Vincent Barnes (@VincentBarnes60)
Great v﷽ictory from the P👍roteas, next stop Wanderers
— 77🇲🇿 (@x_zwet)
The Centur♊ion Test is one of the most curious Test matches I have seen.
Started with hope for SL.
Ended in despair.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12)
Not often that a team can feel some pride after an innings defeat, but I think the Sri Lankans canꦚ pack their gear at Centurion knowing they put up a great fight. Given all the injuries, the lack of preparation, the conditions, this was a commendable performance.
— Daniel Gallan (@danielgallan)
Highest total conceded in 1st inns of the match by South Africa in a Test that they went on to win:
520 v Aus Melbourne 1953
414 v Ind Cape Town 2007
396 v SL Centurion 2020— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats)
Nortje wraps up victory by an innings & 45 runs, Rajitha backing away & fending to gully, smart catch by Maharaj. So De Kock starts captaincy tenure with a win & Boucher is 2/2 at Centurion.
Good test of character for SA after a⛦ poor first day, bat▨ting came good under pressure— Ken Borland (@KenBorland)
Big win for the Proteas.On the field🤪 and also a morale booster for the dressing room.S Lanka have some injury worries ahead of the 2nd test whereas the Proteas have been strengthened by return. Well do🐲ne to @QuinnyDeKock69 and the boys.
— Vincent Barnes (@VincentBarnes60)
//twitter.com/sinalojafta10/🐻status/1343572749743235081
