South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 109 runs, completing a 2-0 series win in the second Test. This victory elevates South Africa to the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 Points Table with 63.33 percentage points, while Sri Lanka remains fourth at 45.45 points. South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj achieved a five-wicket haul, leading to Sri Lanka’s collapse on the final day.
South Africa has completed a comprehensive 2-0 series victory over Sri Lanka following a decisive 109-run win in the second and final Test match held in Gqeberha. This triumph has vaulted South Africa to the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 Points Table, surpassing the reigning champions, Australia. With six wins out of ten matches, South Africa now holds 63.33 percentage points, while Australia’s standings have fallen to second place with 60.71 percentage points after their recent performance.
In the course of the match, Sri Lanka was set a challenging target of 143 runs on the final day. Unfortunately, after losing key players, including Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva, Sri Lanka struggled to maintain their footing. Keshav Maharaj’s exceptional performance, culminating in a five-wicket haul, played a pivotal role in ensuring Sri Lanka was bowled out for 238 runs in 69.1 overs, sealing the series for South Africa.
With this victory, South Africa is poised to continue their momentum as they prepare to host Pakistan for a two-match Test series starting December 26. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will look to regroup as they face Australia in January in their own two-match Test series.
The World Test Championship (WTC) is an important tournament for international cricket, culminating in a final that determines the world’s best Test team. The current cycle, running from 2023 to 2025, has witnessed intense competition, particularly among top teams such as South Africa, Australia, and India. The points table is crucial as it reflects the teams’ performances, with points awarded based on match outcomes. South Africa’s recent success against Sri Lanka significantly enhances their chances of reaching the WTC final, while Sri Lanka’s defeat complicates their pathway to a top-two finish in the standings.
In summary, South Africa’s recent victory against Sri Lanka has not only resulted in a clean sweep of the series but also positioned them favorably at the top of the WTC points table. As they harness this success for future matches, Sri Lanka must reassess and revive their strategies to stay competitive as they face Australia in upcoming fixtures. The results from this series have significant implications for both teams as the competition progresses towards the WTC final date.
Original Source: www.news18.com
