there it is, on the legs, nurdled square, and South Africa's cruise is complete!
South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test at Johannesburg, SA vs SL, Jan 03 2021 - Match Result
1.37pm So here endeth the South Africa-Sri Lanka Test series. Not quite the thrills and spills of two years back, but captivating in its own way. And great to see the contest go ahead with no hitches after the disappointment of the England tour. Both sides will be back in action before we know it, in Sri Lanka and Pakistan respectively. But from the Wanderers, it's goodbye from Miller, Matt, Alan, Valkerie, Chandan, Firdose and Fidel. See you next time!
Quinton de Kock: "After the year 2020 that we had, we just wanted to get off to a good start in our next season. I was impressed with some of the guys who put up their hands, Kesh was a bit unlucky but he understands his role, the four seamers bowled really well. It's good to see. I think our young line-up, they will get more experience, but good to see them come out hungry."
Pakistan next: "No injury for Kesh, sure he's excited to get out there. I'm keen to play some cricket but bubble life can bee frustrating, so mixed emotions for me."
Dimuth Karunaratne: "We had a good start, not easy to bat but we fought hard but lost wickets. We fought back hard but couldn't compete with them. Individually, a couple of things we need to highlight, but as a group we have some positives to take out of the series."
On the England series: "Hopefully Angelo will be back, and Chandimal, and Suranga, so good news for me. In home conditions, it's good for me, we can dominate in Sri Lanka. A couple of good spinners, good to play in our conditions."
Sure enough, Elgar is Man of the Match: "I knew coming into the second Test I had to put that [95] to one side, I knew if I occupy, graft and cement gameplans I'll have some success. The ball seamed and swung but I enjoy a challenge. They are calling me Kusal Perera in the Proteas team now [for scoring rate]. A lot of thought and process has gone into it, experience in the set-up, in years gone by the experienced heads have been there."
Pakistan next: "Never been there before, totally foreign, extremely looking forward to it, I have had experiences in Asia before, but something every cricketer should experience. A lockdown bubble, going to be challenging."
Elgar is Player of the Series too. "Aiden and I have been working really hard, not by fluke, we open for domestic side so a great chemistry. A few chats around the fire, making our relationship tighter, hopefully i can still help him as he will rub off on me, exciting for our cricket going forward."
1.22pm So, we're just gearing up for some presentations, Elgar is the odds-on favourite for Man of the Match, but we shall see... Nortje's career-best figures might give him a run for his money.
1.12pm Fist pumps all round, South Africa have produced a very ruthless professional performance in this Test, which isn't to say they didn't have their moments of frailty, but they masked them at the key moments, and produced the telling bursts in each innings - Nortje's wickets, Elgar's runs, Ngidi and Sipamla in the second innings, and Mulder's probing throughout. For Sri Lanka, it's the end of a proud run of victories over South Africa, not least their 2-0 win here two years ago. But after their spate of injuries at Centurion, they never really had a prayer. Still, they are nicely warmed up for their trip back home where, Covid permitting of course, England are already waiting for them...
SL Lions fan: "Disappointing series for Sri Lanka but there a few positives for Sri Lanka to take. A Fernando and W Hasaranga have been Sri Lanka's find of the series. Hope to seeing a better performance against England and also good luck to South Africa against Pakistan "
nudged into the leg side, on the front foot, and the lack of pace allows two to bring the scores level
pressed into the covers, a probing maiden to keep South Africa honest in the closing moments
Abhijato: "I just woke up from my afternoon sleep, and realised ... miracles don't happen every time, eh? I still think SL showed a lot of heart. In another world the shoreline would be reversed."
blotted back to the bowler on the back foot
up on the toes, poked to the off side
outside off, curling away, no stroke offered
tight line, Shanaka keeps probing - he's been a find in the bowling stakes - and patted back to the bowler
crunched off the front foot to mid-off
width, Elgar rocks back to open up the covers, sharp footwork, and laced to the rope. One blow away now
tapped off the pads to midwicket, another single to the cause
rising onto the back foot, open-faced push to cover
striding forward to block to cover
back of a length, flipping through, clipped on the up to the on side
tucked off the pads to backward square
Dilmith : "Lakmal is dearly missed on these wickets" It's true. Vishwa has been impressive but an experienced attack leader would have been invaluable
shoulders arms on a fourth-stump line
wicket-to-wicket line, whipped off the pads to deep square leg, into single digits now
fenced to deep point, the runs keep trickling down
beaten with some extra nip outside off! Elgar flinches, then pretends he hasn't played at that one, but he was totally lured
outside off, wide line, no stroke
Greame: "So who to pick for Man of the Match? Elgar or Nortje? Both influenced the outcome tremendously." I suspect it will be Elgar, batsmen usually have the edge in such matters!
back of a length, open face, glided to third man
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2W | ||||
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New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | |
Toss | Sri Lanka, elected to bat first |
Series | |
Season | 2020/21 |
Player Of The Match | |
Player Of The Series | |
Series result | South Africa won the 2-match series 2-0 |
Match number | Test no. 2401 |
Hours of play (local time) | 10.00 start, Lunch 12.00-12.40, Tea 14.40-15.00, Close 17.00 |
Match days | 3,4,5 January 2021 - day (5-day match) |
Test debut | |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee | |
Points | South Africa 60, Sri Lanka 0 |