Prabath Jayasuriya becomes the joint second-fastest bowler to 100 Test wickets on day two of SA vs SL 1st Test
Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya is now the second-fastest bowler to pick up 100 Test wickets, on par with late Australian cricketer Charlie Turner. He achieved the feat in his 17th Test.
The 33-year-old dismissed South African opener Tony de Zorzi on day two of the ongoing Test between the two sides at the Kingsmead in Durban to reach the milestone. This was the spinner's third wicket of the match, with two coming in the first innings.
Jayasuriya has shown promise from his Test debut against Australia in July 2022 in Galle, where he took 12 wickets to spin Sri Lanka to an innings victory. He has made giant strides since, bowling well even in conditions less conducive to spin bowling. In September, he finished with 18 wickets in the two-Test series at home against New Zealand to hand the visitors a crushing defeat.
The Matale-born spinner had claimed the wickets of Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee to bowl the Proteas out for 191 in the first innings of the ongoing Durban Test.
Prabath Jayasuriya among five batters to be dismissed for ducks as Sri Lanka concede massive first-innings lead to South Africa in first Test
Even as the bowlers put on a disciplined performance to restrict South Africa to 191 in the first innings, Sri Lankan batters couldn't back it up with an impactful batting display. The visitors were bowled out for a party 42.
Proteas' left-arm seamer Marco Jansen breathed fire, taking seven wickets for only 13 runs as only Kaminu Mendis and Lahiru Kumara got to double figures. While Jansen picked up seven scalps, Gerald Coetzee snared a couple and Kagiso Rabada one to consign the visitors to their lowest-ever Test total of 42.
Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando and Asitha Fernando registered ducks to leave their side reeling and conceding a 149-run lead. At the time of writing, South Africa were 100/2 in the second innings, with their lead at 253.
This would be Sri Lanka's first Test defeat in Durban if they fail to turn things around. They have so far won twice and drawn one game at the venue. A defeat in Durban will significantly impact Sri Lanka's chances of playing the World Test Championship final next year and boost the Proteas' possibilities.