South Africa crush Sri Lanka in first Test

Kyle Abbott struck twice and Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and spinner Keshav Maharaj mopped up the tail to complete a comprehensive victory for the hosts at St George’s Park and conclude a satisfactory start to the three-match series.

“We had to toil hard for this one but the bowlers got great benefit today from all the hard work they put in,” winning captain Faf du Plessis told reporters. South Africa took the last five wickets for just 41 runs. 

Sri Lanka had displayed dogged resistance on Thursday after being set a mammoth target of 488 early on the fourth day and stymied South Africa’s hopes of wrapping up the result with a day to spare. A day of toil for the home attack produced just five wickets but by stumps, captain Mathews and Dhananjaya were the last recognised batsmen for Sri Lanka and needed to dig in on Friday to give their side any chance of salvaging a draw.