COLOMBO – Theunis de Bruyn’s maiden Test century could not prevent Sri Lanka from completing a 2-0 whitewash, and the hosts’ first series win over South Africa since 2006, shortly after lunch on the fourth day of the second Test here at the SSC.
South Africa’s batsmen showed greater application on Monday morning than throughout the series, with De Bruyn and Temba Bavuma in particular, playing the spinners particularly well.
The pair shared a superb 123-run partnership for the sixth wicket. It was by some distance the biggest partnership South Africa had enjoyed throughout the series.
However, Bavuma’s dismissal for 63 shortly before the lunch interval set in motion the inevitable. South Africa lost its last five wickets for 64 runs.
The tail did wag just enough though to provide the support De Bruyn required to bring up his first Test ton.
The emotion of it all, however, proved too much for the Titans right-hander and was clean bowled the very next ball by Rangana Herath.
Proteas fans find something to smile about at the SSC!! 😁😂 #ProteaFire #Colombo #SLvSA @IOLsport @Titans_Cricket pic.twitter.com/v08zW33L6S
— Zaahier Adams (@ZaahierAdams) July 23, 2018
After being outshone by the off-spinners Akila Dananjaya and Dilruwan Perera in the first innings, Herath showed his class to close out the match and series with 6/98 off 32.5 overs.
Kagiso Rabada (18) struck a couple of meaty blows, including an exquisite straight six off Herath, but it was scant consolation in the end.
@ZaahierAdams
IOL Sport