The Proteas were ruthless on Day 4, bowling Sri Lanka out for 181 to seal an innings and 45-run win in the Boxing Day Test, writes Khalid Mohidin.
Wiaan Mulder’s two early dismissals in the first session on Day 4 sparked a top-order collapse as Sri Lanka were reduced to 148-7, still trailing by 77 runs.
ALSO READ: SESSION MOMENTS: WIAAN MULDER SPARKS SRI LANKA COLLAPSE
After the lunch break, De Kock let Aiden Markram and Keshav Maharaj bowl a couple of overs to speed up the over rate.
But then it was back to business with the seamers.
Wanindu Hasaranga brought up his maiden half-century which was the only positive for Sri Lanka in the session, but once again, Lutho Sipamla made the breakthrough by forcing him to pick out Temba Bavuma at long off.
Anrich Nortje sealed the game by taking the last wicket. Sri Lanka reduced to 180-9, and because of the injury to Dhananjaya de Silva, Sri Lanka were all out.
This sealed an innings and 45-run victory.
The highlights of the series for South Africa with the bat was Dean Elgar’s 95, Aiden Markram’s 68, Faf du Plessis’ 199, Temba Bavuma’s 71 and Keshav Maharaj’s 73.
With the ball, Lutho Sipamla finished with the best match figures – 6-100, while Wiaan Mulder came in close second with match figures of 5-108.
Check out all the Day Wraps:
DAY 1 WRAP: WIAAN MULDER SHOWS QUALITY, DESPITE SRI LANKA’S DOMINANCE
DAY 2 WRAP: FAF DU PLESSIS, TEMBA BAVUMA KEEP PROTEAS IN CONTROL
DAY 3 WRAP: FAF DU PLESSIS’ 199 GIVES PROTEAS CONTROL
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
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