Sri Lanka’s Historic Collapse: All-Out for Just 42 Runs Against South Africa

In a stunning display of bowling, Sri Lanka’s bowling lineup devastated South Africa at the start of the day. Temba Bavuma’s 70 runs were the only resistence as the hosts crumbled to just 171 runs in the first Test of the series in Durban. However, the South African bowlers soon took their revenge, subjecting Sri Lanka to a new humiliation.

Sri Lanka was dismissed for a mere 42 runs against South Africa, marking the lowest total in their Test history. Previously, their lowest score was 71 runs against Pakistan in 1994. This collapse surpassed that record, as they were bowled out in just 83 balls, the second-lowest innings in Test history.

Pace bowler Marco Jansen delivered a devastating spell, claiming 7 wickets for just 13 runs in 6.5 overs, achieving the best bowling figures on South African soil this century. His performance began by dismissing Dimuth Karunaratne on the last ball of the over, which set the tone for the innings.

Following that, Jansen quickly took the wickets of Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, and Angelo Mathews. When Gerald Coetzee dismissed a well-set Kamindu Mendis, Sri Lanka’s resistance crumbled. They lost five wickets for just 32 runs, finishing with a total of 42 runs as Lahiru Kumara managed to push the score to that point before the innings ended.

Overall, this match not only represents Sri Lanka’s lowest score in Test cricket but also stands as one of the lowest innings recorded in the last century, just ahead of South Africa’s own record of 30 runs from 1924.