The summer in South Africa will be illuminated with Sri Lanka taking on the Proteas in a 3 match Test series with the first one kicking off on Boxing Day. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers between these two sides.
Since 1993
Alongside the infamous Rebel Tour tales between the two sides, the first ever official Test match was played during South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka in 1993. The inaugural encounter at Moratuwa ended in an agonizing draw for the home team while they were nearing a historical win against South Africa. Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 331 runs, spearheaded by Hashan Tillakaratne’s 92. South Africa piled up 104 for the opening wicket through captain Kepler Wessels and Andrew Hudson, and despite being 203/3 at one stage, they were eventually bowled out for 267. Muttiah Muralitharan took 5 for 104. Skipper Arjuna Ranatunga mastered 131 in the second essay where the home team declared on 300/6 setting a target of 365 runs. The visitors were reeling throughout the pursuit at 92/4 and then 199/7 but an outstanding unbeaten 101 by Jonty Rhodes saved the day as they survived on 251/7 at close. South Africa later emerged victorious in the series, winning one of the two remaining games, sealing the 3 match series 1-0.
The first Test win for Sri Lanka against South Africa came in 2000 at Galle where Sri Lanka won by innings and 15 runs. Sanath Jayasuriya captained the Lions while Shaun Pollock led the Proteas. The game was also notable for Kumar Sangakkara’s debut.
South Africa vs Sri Lanka Head to Head Test Record –
- Played – 22
- Sri Lanka – 5
- South Africa – 11
- Draw – 6
Recap of the last decade
In 2006, the South African’s tour to Sri Lanka consisted of 2 Tests. The hosts won both Tests played at SSC and P.Sara Oval. The first Test at the SSC, which yielded a victory of innings and 153 runs for the hosts, is well remembered for Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara’s record breaking 624 run-stand. Mahela’s astounding 374 was backed by Sanga’s masterclass of 287.
The second Test produced a stirring thriller which Sri Lanka won by a mere wicket. In the first innings, South Africa’s 361 was replied with 321 by the hosts. With a 40 run lead, the Proteas managed to amass 311 for the second innings, setting a target of 352 to win for the home side. Mahela’s 123 braced the entire innings but wickets at regular intervals produced a short scare as the Lions were forced to grapple in the end and get home with a wicket to spare.
In 2011/12, the 3 match series played in South Africa was won by the hosts 2-1. The visitors won the second Test at Durban but both games at the Centurion and Cape Town were won by South Africa.
The 2 match series during South Africa’s tour to Sri Lanka in 2014 ended 1-0 in favour of South Africa.
In South Africa
Since their first Test in South Africa in 1998, Sri Lanka has played 10 Tests and managed a solitary win. Their only victory was a 208 run win which came at Durban in 2011. The stunning feature has been that the encounters have frequently produced results and feature only a solitary stalemate.
South Africa vs Sri Lanka Head to Head Test record in South Africa –
- Played – 10
- South Africa – 8
- Sri Lanka – 1
- Draw – 1
Port Elizabeth
Sri Lanka are yet to play a Test in St. George’s Park at Port Elizabeth.
South Africa’s Test record at St. George’s Park –
- Played – 26
- Won – 10
- Lost – 11
- Drawn – 5
Picturesque Cape Town
Overlooked by the Table Mountains, Newlands is one of the most picturesque venues in the world. Sri Lanka has played 3 Tests at Cape Town and has lost all three.
South Africa’s record at Cape Town –
- Played – 53
- Won – 22
- Lost – 20
- Drawn – 11
The Wanderers
Sri Lankans has played one Test at the Wanderers in 2002. They lost it by an innings and 64 runs. South Africa has played 36 games at the venue, winning 14 and losing 11. Eleven games have ended without a result.
Batting Records
- Most runs – Mahela Jayawardene (1782 runs in 32 innings) (Avg. 57.48)
- Most runs for South Africa – Daryll Cullinan (917 runs in 19 innnings) (Avg. 53.94)
- Most runs in South Africa – Jacques Kallis (576 runs in 15 innings) (Avg. 41.14)
- Most runs for Sri Lanka (in SA) – Kumar Sangakkara (572 runs in 15 innings) (Avg. 35.75)
- Highest individual score – Mahela Jayawardene (374 at SSC, 2006)
- Highest individual score for South Africa – Jacques Kallis (224 at Cape Town, 2012)
- Highest individual score for Sri Lanka (in SA) – Thilan Samaraweera (115* at Cape Town, 2012)
Bowling Records
- Most wickets – Muttiah Muralitharan (104 wickets in 27 innings) (Avg. 22.22)
- Most wickets for South Africa – Shaun Pollock (48 wickets in 24 innings) (Avg. 22.33)
- Most wickets in South Africa – Muttiah Muralitharan (35 wickets in 10 innings) (Avg. 26.02)
- Most wickets for South Africa (in SA) – Makhaya Ntini (26 wickets in 14 innings) (Avg. 21.88) & Shaun Pollock (26 wickets in 13 innings) (Avg. 19.96)
- Best bowling – Marchant de Lange (7 for 81 at Durban, 2011)
- Best bowling for Sri Lanka – Muttiah Muralitharan (7 for 84 at Galle, 2000)
