Sri Lanka register their lowest total of 42 on Day 2 of SA vs SL 2024 1st Test

The Sri Lankan cricket team have collapsed to their lowest Test total as South Africa skittled them for 42 on Day 2 of the opening Test at the Kingsmead in Durban (November 28). Left-arm seamer Marco Jansen breathed fire in fairly favorable conditions as he consigned the tourists to an all-time low to help the Proteas gain a 149-run lead.

The tourists came into Day 2 with their necks in front as they had the hosts 80/4 in the 20.4 overs bowled on the opening day.

South African captain Temba Bavuma battled hard with a 117-ball 70 while lower-order contributions carried their side to 191 in 49.4 overs. Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara shared six wickets between them, taking three each.

Jansen dismissed four out of Sri Lanka's top six, accounting for Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva. Gerald Coetzee picked up the wickets of Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mendis while Kagiso Rabada got the better of Dimuth Karunaratne.

In the process, Jansen also became the second bowler in Test history after Hugh Trumble to take seven wickets inside his first seven overs. The Island nation's previous lowest was 71 as it came against Pakistan in Kandy in August 1994.

Sri Lanka yet to lose a Test in Durban

Sri Lanka national cricket team. (Credits: Getty)

The Lankans could be on the verge of their first Test defeat in Durban, having won two of three Tests at the venue, dating back to 2000. They also remain the only Asian side to beat South Africa in a Test series in their backyard, accomplishing the feat in 2019. However, they are likely to suffer a heavy defeat in Durban.

The series remains quite critical for both sides, keeping in mind the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Nevertheless, the visitors face an uphill task of keeping their hopes alive going forward.