Maharaj’s five-for helps South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 109 runs and leap forward of Australia and India on the WTC desk.
South Africa have secured a 109-run victory over Sri Lanka on the final day of the second Check at St George’s Park to finish a 2-0 sweep of the collection and lead the World Check Championship (WTC) factors desk.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj completed with figures of 5-76 on Monday because the hosts took 70 minutes to dismiss Sri Lanka for 238 in a recreation that had been arrange for an exciting finale – with each groups needing a win to maintain them in competition for a spot in June’s WTC last.
Sri Lanka resumed on 205-5 needing 143 for victory and South Africa required 5 wickets, but it surely proved an anticlimax as the house facet ran by way of the batting lineup so as to add to their 233-run victory within the first check in Durban.
It took South Africa seven overs to make a breakthrough, ending a 97-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Kusal Mendes caught by Aiden Markram off Maharaj.
Man like Maharaj!😎
Keshav got here in clutch for the Proteas, as he took one other check profession 5-wicket haul to information us to our 109-run win over Sri Lanka!🇿🇦
Class is Everlasting Kesh!👌😏#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/JeLv1cxnOa
— Proteas Males (@ProteasMenCSA) December 9, 2024
Mendes made 46 and was adopted shortly after by captain Dhananajaya de Silva, who obtained a wholesome edge to a fast supply from Kagiso Rabada to depart for 50.
That left the tail uncovered and South Africa wasted no time with Maharaj grabbing the wickets of Prabath Jayasuriya, caught at additional cowl by Temba Bavuma, and Vishwa Fernando, who slogged it up into the sky to be caught by Marco Jansen.
Jansen took the final wicket of Lahiru Kumara to make sure South Africa moved to the highest of the WTC standings.
Australia and India, who’re tied 1-1 of their ongoing five-match Check collection for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, are second and third respectively.
“That was what check cricket is all about,” mentioned South Africa captain Bavuma, named man of the collection for his batting performances.
“It’s uncommon to play for 5 days and likewise uncommon when the sport is at all times within the stability and each groups are in competition. Sri Lanka requested the suitable questions with an intimidating batting lineup.
“They made us work for the outcome but it surely was testomony to our character as a crew we stayed within the struggle and backed it up from a abilities perspective,” Bavuma added.
Sri Lanka are actually out of competition for the WTC.
