"Sportskeeda Awards" for the 2nd Sri Lanka - South Africa Test

The Lankans have finally pulled off their first win in South African soil, their first Test win in 2011 and their first Test win under Dilshan’s captaincy. The win has given a lot of hope to the team which is looking at putting up a great show in the 3rd Test. Meanwhile, the Durban jinx continues for the Proteas. The 3 match series is now level 1-1 after this huge 208 run win for the Lankans

Here come the “Sportskeeda awards” for this Test

The first pair … Dubious outing for the legend

Super cool debut: Wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal for his fifties in both the innings. In the 2nd inning, his 50 was instrumental in extending the lead along with Sangakkara’s 108, as they were involved in a 104 runs partnership. He had a decent outing behind the stumps as well.

21 yr old fast bowler Marchant De Lange shares this award for taking 7/81 in his very first inning in Test cricket. He bowls fast and can seem and swing the ball as well. Terrific prospect.

Late bloomer: Finally 30 yr old Chanaka Welegedara seems to be earning his stripes as he returned his career’s best figures of 5/52 in the 1st inning. His test career is progressing in fits and starts and it is high time that he had stepped up to fill in the huge boots left behind by Chaminda Vaas.

Silent achiever: 35 yr old Thilan Samaraweera never creates a huge media buzz and is very media-shy. He goes about his business without fuss and is not exactly a fan favorite. Yet, he scores plenty of runs and his 102 & 43 in this Test come as no surprise. He was the last man to get out in the 1st inning’s total of 338 which proved to be very crucial to the game’s outcome.

Wasted starts: Star batsman Hashim Amla wasted promising starts in both the innings. He made a couple of 50s when he could have very well kicked on to greater things. Sad.

Batting potential: This is a huge surprise. The world’s best bowler is showing admirable skills with the willow as well. In both the innings, he salvaged his team’s total to a certain extent. He saved the follow-on in the 1st inning while in the 2nd inning he stuck on for a 99 partnership with AB De Villiers, in vain. Yes, he is Dale Steyn.

The disasters: The SAF openers Smith, Rudolph and the legendary Jacques Kallis. Skipper Smith and comeback man Rudolph need to do much more. Kallis had the dubious distinction of getting his first pair in his illustrious career spanning 149 Tests.

Why is he still in the team? Ashwell Prince. The struggling middle order batsman had another poor outing.

A royal salute: The world’s best Test batsman gave glowing proof once again with a solid, crucial 108 in the 2nd inning. Kumar Sangakkara, take a bow.

Mr. Consistent

Long pending success: Rangana Herath led his team to a huge victory that too away from home. A 9 wkts match haul and the MOM award too. A well deserved success for this left armer who has been slogging it out for quite a while in the absence of Murali. He got his 7th 5wkt haul and his 7th 4 wkt haul as well, in this Test. These were his best match figures as well. His 33 Test career seems to have taken off steadily.

Stars who could have made a greater impact: Top notch players Morne Morkel and AB DeVilliers had a decent game but, much more is expected from these undisputed match winners. Mahela Jayawardene is another under-performing enigma. The 10000 run landmark in Tests is great though.

Hanging on to dear life: Mark Boucher. He is still a fine keeper (6 catches in this match) but the runs have dried out. No other replacement in sight as well. Lucky run.

The sluggish starters: Dilshan and Paranavitana aren’t doing their team any service with their minuscule contributions at the top of the order. Skipper Dilshan better lead by example.

So, that wraps it up.