Proteas crumble in Colombo

Sri Lanka have taken total control of the second cricket test against South Africa after their spinners knocked over the Proteas’ batting line-up in the first innings. South Africa were all out for 124 by tea on day two in Colombo as the hosts’ spinners claimed all 10 wickets with the tourists lasting little more than two hours as they were knocked over in 34.5 overs. Offspinners Dilruwan Perera (4-40) and Dananjaya (5-52) shared nine wickets between them and veteran Rangana Herath claimed the 10th. South Africa captain Faf du Plessis top scored with 48 runs.

The pain wasn’t over for the Proteas though as Sri Lanka, electing not to enforce the follow-on, returned to the crease where they plundered the South African bowlers to finish with a 365-runs lead at stumps.

Sri Lanka were 151-3 in the second innings with Dimuth Karunaratne and Danushka Gunathilaka adding 91 runs for the first wicket.

Keshav Maharaj, who took 9-129 in Sri Lanka’s first-innings 338, struck in successive overs to remove Gunathilaka (61) and Dhananjaya de Silva (0). Sri Lanka also lost Kusal Mendis when he was run out for 18. Karunaratne was unbeaten on 59 at stumps with Angelo Mathews on 12.

Sri Lanka had resumed on day two on 277-9 and extended its first innings with a record 74-run, last-wicket stand. South Africa were 19-3 at lunch in its first innings and lost the remaining seven wickets in the afternoon session.

Sri Lanka lead the two-match series 1-0, having won the first test by 278 runs. South Africa has not lost a series to Sri Lanka since 2006.