Record-breaking Proteas in control after superb second day at Kingsmead

South Africa placed themselves firmly in control on Thursday, led by all-rounder Marco Jansen and captain Temba Bavuma, on a record-breaking second day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Durban.

When stumps were drawn on day two, the Proteas had reached 132/3 in their second innings, anchored by opening batter Aiden Markram who made 47 runs off 81 balls.

The hosts held a lead of 281 runs at the close, with Bavuma on 24 not out and Tristan Stubbs unbeaten on 17.

Bavuma stands firm

Earlier, resuming their first innings at 80/4 in the morning session (after a rain-interrupted opening day), the Proteas looked to be on the back foot.

But Bavuma planted himself at the crease for nearly four hours (overnight) and contributed 70 runs off 117 balls – his 22nd Test half-century – as he carried the hosts to 191 before they were bowled out at the end of the morning session.

Jansen, who would later play an even bigger role for the home team, was full of praise for the skipper.

“I thought we were going to get bowled out around 120/130, and then his innings obviously helped to propel us over 190,” Jansen said of Bavuma’s innings.

“His knock was crucial, especially with the ball seaming ang nipping around. It might not have been a hundred, but the value of that 70 might as well count as a hundred. It definitely helped us.”

Jansen shines

In response, Sri Lanka were completely dismantled, falling for a total of just 42 runs in the 14th over of their first innings.

Jansen stole the show, launching an assault as he returned career-best figures of 7/13.

“I think we bowled really well in terms of our intensity and the energy on the ball because we realised the ball was moving nice and quick off the pitch, which is always what we want as bowlers,” Jansen said.

“So we saw that if we put the ball in the right areas, with the ball nipping, we would always be in the game.”

Records tumble

It was only the second time in Test cricket a team had been bowled out in less than 14 overs.

It was also the lowest total scored by any opposition against the Proteas in a Test innings, as well as Sri Lanka’s lowest ever total, and the lowest total in an innings at Kingsmead.

Kamindu Mendis (13) and Lahiru Kumara (10) were Sri Lanka’s only players to reach double figures as South Africa took a 149-run lead into their second innings, before their batters snatched the game away from the tourists.