5 unwanted records created by Sri Lanka during 42 all out in SA vs SL 2024 1st Test
In the ongoing first Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Durban, the hosts, after being bowled out for 191 runs in the first innings, staged a splendid comeback with the ball. They delivered the unthinkable as Marco Jansen ran through the Sri Lankan batting line-up in no time.
Sri Lanka were subjected to an absolute nightmare, as their batting collapsed in what was a completely poor effort, or rather a spectacular display by South Africa with the ball.
Sri Lanka's batters struggled to find their ground as none of them could survive for long at the crease. The entire team was bundled out for a paltry total of 42, with only Kamindu Mendis (13) and Lahiru Kumara (10*) reaching double figures.
In hindsight of the carnage at Durban with the ball by South Africa, here are five unwanted records the visitors created after an embarrassing performance with the bat.
#5 Lowest total against South Africa
Sri Lanka's 42 all-out in the ongoing Test at Durban is the lowest total by any team against South Africa in Test cricket. Previously, New Zealand held the unwanted record as they were bowled out for just 45 runs in Cape Town in 2013.
In 2011, Australia were bundled out for just 47 runs in Cape Town while in 2013, Pakistan were all-out for 49 runs in Johannesburg. The unwanted record that was with New Zealand since 2013 now belongs to Sri Lanka after they were bowled out for just 42 runs in their first innings.
#4 Lowest total for Sri Lanka in Tests
While their total of 42 all-out is the lowest against South Africa, it is also the lowest-ever total for Sri Lanka overall in Test cricket. Before this, their lowest total in Tests came way back in 1994, when they were bowled out for 71 runs against Pakistan in Kandy at home.
Their other lowest totals in Tests include 73 all-out against Pakistan in Kandy in 2006, 81 all-out against England in Colombo in 2001, 82 all-out versus India in Chandigarh in 1990, and 82 all-out against England in Cardiff in 2011.
#3 Second-lowest balls for a team to be bowled out in a Test innings
South Africa's bowlers hardly took any time to rip apart Sri Lanka's batting unit. While they were bowled out for just 42 runs, the hosts took just 13.5 overs, or 83 balls, to bundle the visitors out.
This is the second-lowest balls taken by a team to be bowled out in an innings in Tests. Interestingly, the record is held by the South Africans themselves, who were bowled out for just 30 runs in 75 balls (12.3 overs) against England in Edgbaston in 1924.
#2 Lowest aggregate by top four batters for Sri Lanka in a Test innings
In what was an absolute nightmare for Sri Lanka, their top four collapsed in no time, leaving them reeling at 16/4. The top four batters aggregated only six runs, which is the second-lowest for them in a Test innings.
Pathum Nissanka (3), Dimuth Karunaratne (2), Dinesh Chandimal (0), and Angelo Matthews (1) added only six runs together. The lowest aggregated by their batters is 12 runs against New Zealand in 1984 at Kandy.
#1 Lowest score after the fall of the fifth wicket for Sri Lanka against South Africa
Sri Lanka lost half of the side in lightning-quick succession. Dimuth Karunaratne was the first to be dismissed, followed by Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Matthews, and Kamindu Mendis.
At the fall of the fifth wicket, their score was just 32 runs, which is the lowest for them at the fall of the fifth wicket against South Africa. Previously, they had lost their first wickets for just 33 runs against South Africa in Cape Town back in 2001.