Lankan miracle in South Africa

Port Elizabeth, February 23

Oshada Fernando and Kusal Mendis struck unbeaten half-centuries as Sri Lanka claimed a historic eight-wicket 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 South African bowling attack on a wicket that became easier to bat on through the Test.

Sri Lanka have now won two of their last six Test series, with both those victories 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.  — Reuters

Brief Scores: SA: 222 and 128 (Du Plessis 50*; Lakmal 4/39, de Silva 3/36); SL: 154 and 197/2 (Mendis 84*, Fernando 75*; Olivier 1/46)

Sri Lanka first Asian team to beat SA at their grounds

Asian teams had lost 19 of 21 previous Test series there!

• 5  Series lost in a row by Sri Lanka in South Africa before their 2-0 win today. Pakistan have lost 5 series there and drawn 1
• 1  Series drawn by India in SA. India have lost 6 series there, won none. India have won 3, lost 10 and drawn 7 Tests out of 20 played there
• 8  Tests won by Asian teams in SA, out of 56 played, with 33 losses! India and SL have won 3 Tests each in SA
• 3  Sri Lanka is only the third team after Australia and England to win a Test series against SA  in South Africa