Hindustan Times (Chandigarh)

Sri Lankans script first for Asia in SA

- Reuters

PORTELIZAB­ETH: Oshada Fernando and Kusal Mendis struck unbeaten half-centuries as Sri Lanka claimed a historic eightwicke­t win in the second and final Test at St George’s Park to become the first Asian side to win a Test series in South Africa.

Prior to the series, Sri Lanka had not won a game in any format since October but comfortabl­y chased down a victory target of 197 on the third day for a 2-0 triumph.

Sri Lanka claimed a thrilling first Test victory in Durban by one wicket and outplayed South Africa in the second, setting up their victory by skittling the hosts for 128 in their second innings on Friday.

Mendis scored 84 and Fernando made 75, putting on an unbroken stand of 163 for the third wicket as they pummelled the much-vaunted South African bowling attack on a wicket that became easier to bat on through the test.

“It’s a great feeling for me and the team. It’s not easy when you come to South Africa, so to win the series 2-0 is brilliant,” Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratn­e said.

“It has been a lot of hard work, but the guys did really well and enjoyed it a lot, which is why I think we created history.

“This victory is dedicated to the Sri Lanka fans who have continued to support us because they were always behind us when we were losing. We wanted to do something here for them.”

Sri Lanka had resumed on the third morning on 60 for two, though effectivel­y three down with spinner Lasith Embuldeniy­a out of the test with a broken thumb.

As has been the case, the Sri Lankan batsmen looked to attack the home bowlers.

Fernando, who made his debut in the series, completed his maiden half-century off 69 balls, providing the perfect foil for the more aggressive Mendis.

Sri Lanka have now won two of their last six Test series, with both those wins coming against South Africa. They defeated the Proteas at home last July.

It marked another key breakthrou­gh for Asian teams after India won a first test series in Australia earlier in the season, suggesting tours to countries with pacy and bouncy wickets are becoming less daunting.

South Africa, however, witnessed their run of seven consecutiv­e home test series wins come to an end and captain Faf du Plessis said their misfiring batsmen must shoulder the blame.

“I thought we were poor with the bat throughout the series,” Du Plessis said. “I thought in general through the series both teams probably didn’t perform with the bat on two pitches that were very conducive to scoring runs.”

Brief scores: South Africa 222 and 128; Sri Lanka 154 and 197/2 (Mendis 84*, Fernando 75*); Result: SL won by eight wickets to clinch series 2-0

 ?? AFP ?? Kusal Mendis (right) celebrates with teammates after he and Oshada Fernando (not in pic) guided Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket win in the second Test to register their first series win in South Africa.
AFP Kusal Mendis (right) celebrates with teammates after he and Oshada Fernando (not in pic) guided Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket win in the second Test to register their first series win in South Africa.

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