Kingsmead has always been somewhat of a graveyard for the Proteas, and the place where touring teams fancied their chances the most whether it be in Tests or ODIs. In the last ten test matches at Kingsmead, the Proteas have lost seven, won two and drawn one, but it may well be worth pointing out that one of those victories came against the West Indies in 2010, when the Islanders were going through arguably their worst run of form on the international stage.
It has been anything but a happy hunting ground for South Africa but there was a good reason to believe that Ottis Gibson’s men were about to chalk up an unlikely win on Durban’s East Coast, as the Sri Lankans found themselves at 226/9 chasing 304. With Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada steaming in, a bowling partnership that will rival any era as the greatest, there seemed precious little hope for the Lankans.
One should never presume anything when South Africa play in Durban, because this was indeed Kingsmead after all. The groans of the fielders and sparse crowd echoed around the graveyard as the tenth wicket partnership gained momentum and South Africa creaked. The winning blow was struck courtesy of a late cut off the bat of Kusal Perera, which took the courageous left-hander to an unbeaten 153 and with that, it was official but not altogether unexpected, the Proteas would continue their woeful run at Kingsmead.
Shaun Pollock went as high-pitched as you will ever hear him during any commentary stint after the winning runs were scored. However, that’s also because the legendary fast bowler thought he would no longer be the holder of the most unwanted record at Kingsmead anymore. Pollock’s failure to recognize what score South Africa needed on Duckworth-Lewis during the 2003 World Cup led to the country’s exit from the competition at, strangely enough, the hands of Sri Lanka.
On this occasion though, there was no incompetence on the Proteas behalf, as they were soundly beaten by the better side after a spirited inning from Kusal Perera that will go down as one of the greatest knocks in test cricket’s illustrious history. The image of Perera with his arms stretched whilst basking in the warm Durban sunshine as he celebrated will live long in the memory of the entire cricket fraternity and not just the minds of the passionate Sri Lankan fans.
Confidence coming into the test was at an all-time low for Sri Lanka, after having been recently whitewashed by Australia. Fans of the Lions will be hoping this is the start of a run of form that takes them into the World Cup well accustomed to that winning feeling again.
At 40/1 in cricket betting to win the World Cup Sri Lanka certainly aren’t favourites, but they probably won’t be underestimated again after their heroics in Durban. Looking back to 1996, when the Sri Lankan’s pulled off yet another shock to win the World Cup, they were at similarly long odds coming into the event. All things considered, the best attitude to adopt when it comes to this famous cricketing nation is to expect the unexpected.
As for the Proteas, well, they’ve wilted under the punishing Durban sun at Kingsmead many times before and have always bounced back. The only difference this time around is that they were defeated by the brilliance of one man who has now etched his name into the history books of Test cricket.
