South Africa are currently facing off against Sri Lanka in the first Test match of the series in Kingsmead, Duran. The Proteas managed to score 191 runs in the first innings. However, Sri Lanka were dismissed for just 42 runs in their first innings. Only Kamindu Mendis and Lahiru Kumara reached double digits in the innings. Mendis scored 13 runs, Kumara scored 10 runs.
Marco Jansen scalped seven wickets in the innings by bowling just 6.5 overs. Gerald Coetzee picked up two wickets by bowling just three overs. Kagiso Rabada bowled four overs and picked up one wicket.
Sri Lanka got all-out in 83 balls, (13.5 overs) which is the second least number of balls a team got bowled out under after South Africa were dismissed for 30 runs in 75 balls (12.3 overs) against England at Edgbaston in 1924. The score became the lowest total for Sri Lanka in Test cricket.
South Africa wickets are difficult to bat on in Test cricket
South African pitches in Test cricket are notoriously challenging for batsmen due to several unique characteristics. The bounce in South Africa is often unpredictable. Unlike the flat tracks in Asia, or the seaming ones in England, South African pitches can produce deliveries that jump off a length unexpectedly, making it hard for batsmen to adjust their stance and shot selection.
The pitches typically offer pace and bounce due to the nature of the soil, which is sandy and hard. This means fast bowlers can extract extra bounce, often at speeds exceeding 140 km/h, which can be particularly daunting, especially on the first day when the pitch is fresh.
Then there’s the swing, especially in the early overs, with the new ball moving around under the South African sun, which can be a nightmare for any batsman. The weather also plays its part; conditions can change rapidly, affecting the behavior of the pitch and the ball.
