The stars:
Dilshan acclaims Sri Lanka's historic triumph
Colin Bryden
Rangana Herath |
Dinesh Chandimal |
Sri Lanka captain Tillekeratne Dilshan acclaimed "one of the great
wins" after his side completed an historic 208-run victory over South
Africa on the fourth day of the second Test at Kingsmead on Thursday.
There were wild scenes of celebration on the pitch when Rangana
Herath bowled Marchant de Lange in fading light with only nine balls
remaining in the day. The team reserves and management ran on to the
field to join their triumphant teammates.
Dilshan promised the celebrations would continue when the team got
back to their hotel. "I said before the game that if we can play our
brand of cricket we can beat any team. We beat one of the best teams in
the world. It's a fantastic feeling and great for the Sri Lankan fans.
I'm really proud of my team."
First win
It was Sri Lanka's first win in South Africa on four Test tours and
their first win of a previously bleak 2011.
It was also the team's first win under Dilshan's captaincy and
levelled the three-match series.
Dilshan said the win was one of Sri Lanka's best wins outside of
their own country.
Asked whether it compared with a famous win over England at the Oval
in 1998, he said: "Definitely. It is one of the great wins of Sri Lankan
cricket."
The captain said the players would celebrate on Thursday night -
"maybe all night" - before heading to Cape Town for the decisive third
Test starting on Tuesday.
Set to make 450 to win, South Africa were bowled out for 241.
Left-arm spinner Herath took five for 79 and had match figures of nine
for 128.
He was named man of the match.
Outplayed
Kumar Sangakkara |
South African captain Graeme Smith admitted: "We were outplayed from
the start."
Thilan Samaraweera |
Chanaka Welegedera |
He said the team's poor batting in the first innings, which was
followed by another top order failure in the second innings, was the
biggest reason for their defeat. Smith said the Sri Lankans had adapted
better to the Kingsmead pitch.
"It was a little bit slower. Reverse swing and spin played a role and
they handled the surface better than us throughout the game."
Sri Lanka seemed set for an early victory when South Africa lost five
wickets between lunch and tea to be reeling at 133 for six shortly
before the interval.
The collapse included a second duck in the match for Jacques Kallis -
his first 'pair' in 149 Tests.
Fifth day
But AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn denied the tourists for more than
two hours as they put together a seventh wicket partnership of 99 which
threatened to take the match into a fifth day.
De Villiers atoned for a reckless shot which cost him his wicket in
the first innings with a solid 69, while Steyn again showed up some of
his top order teammates, following up his first innings 29 not out with
a fighting 43.
Sri Lanka were forced to take the second new ball but with the light
fading rapidly the fast bowlers sent down only three overs before
Dilshan returned to spin. AFP |