List of Sri Lanka's Lowest Total in Test Cricket as South Africa Bowled Them Out for 42 for New Record

Add as a preferred source on Google

In a record-breaking Test match at Kingsmeade, Sri Lanka has now set a new low for their innings total, bowled out for just 42, surpassing their previous lowest score of 71 against Pakistan in 1994.

This remarkable collapse has left cricket enthusiasts in disbelief. The team faced a mere 83 balls, the second-lowest number of balls played in Test cricket over the last century, with only South Africa's 75 balls against England in 1924 being lower.

South Africa's Marco Jansen was the standout performer, taking 7 wickets for just 13 runs in 6.5 overs, helping bowl Sri Lanka out in just 13.5 overs. Sri Lanka's performance was marred by poor shot selection, and they were at sea throughout their innings. Many of the wickets fell to well-executed deliveries, but the Sri Lankan batters contributed with careless strokes.

While Sri Lanka's batting had no answers to the disciplined bowling of South Africa, the hosts were in control from the start. Jansen was not only the star of the show but also achieved his career-best Test figures. The last recognised pair for Sri Lanka, Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando, could not resist the South African pace attack for long, and Sri Lanka's innings ended swiftly, to the dismay of their supporters.

The Sri Lankan team's previous lowest score had been 71 against Pakistan in 1994, a record now shattered by their 42-run capitulation. The pitch at Kingsmeade offered plenty of assistance to the fast bowlers, but the Sri Lankans' inability to adapt to the conditions was evident. With this latest collapse, Sri Lanka's performance will likely raise questions about their preparations, as they now look to regroup and recover in the remaining days of the Test match.

As the Test match progresses, South Africa, having been rocked by their own batting woes earlier, finds themselves in complete control of the match, with the 42 all-out score providing a significant advantage.