Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva won the toss and chose to field first, a decision that paid off given the conditions in Durban. His bowlers made an early impact, with Asitha Fernando dismissing Aiden Markram in the third over. The Proteas’ troubles deepened when Vishwa Fernando followed up by removing Tony de Zorzi in the next over, leaving South Africa at 15/2. Tristan Stubbs and captain Temba Bavuma steadied the ship, adding 32 runs to bring the score to 46/2 after 15 overs. However, the conditions were heavily favouring the pacers, who were extracting significant swing. This led to Stubbs’ downfall in the 16th over, and the pressure mounted further as Lahiru Kumara delivered a sensational ball that clean-bowled David Bedingham, leaving South Africa in a precarious position.
On the first ball of the 18th over, Lahiru Kumara charged in and delivered a length ball just outside off stump. Clocking 142 kmph, the ball swung back in sharply. David Bedingham, looking to defend, prodded forward but left a sizable gap between his bat and pad. The ball jagged back in, narrowly missing the inside edge, before clipping his back pad and sending the off stump flying. With the speed and movement, the stump was sent cartwheeling across the crease. The jaffa left fans in awe, and Twitter was quick to praise the Lankan pacer’s skill with the ball.
Perfect
Beauty
Lahiru Kumara with a beauty #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/3iWvhVZm8R
— Caught & Bowled (@caught1bowled) November 27, 2024
Lahiru Kumara bowled a beauty to get rid of David Bedingham #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/B85XjMEfYh
— Caught & Bowled (@caught1bowled) November 27, 2024
Joy
There’s immense joy in watching Lahiru Kumara in full flow. The pace, the movement and the varying lengths all add to the theatre. #SAvSL
— S Sudarshanan (@Sudarshanan7) November 27, 2024
Absolute beauty
Lahiru Kumara bowled a beauty to get rid of David Bedingham #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/B85XjMEfYh
— Caught & Bowled (@caught1bowled) November 27, 2024
Lahiru Kumara’s game has grown so much over the years. The pace has always been there but today he’s shown control and skill. #SAvSL
— Ongama (@imongamagcwabe) November 27, 2024
Great
Struggle is real
🚨 Match Update 🚨
Lahiru Kumara strikes again! Stubbs is out for 16.
South Africa struggling at 46-3 against Sri Lanka. 🇿🇦🇱🇰 pic.twitter.com/vn1tvPqdOf— Hemant Bhavsar (@hemantbhavsar86) November 27, 2024
Sri Lanka’s strategy in the first session with three pacers have been smart. Asitha and Vishwa with more control at the batters whilst Lahiru Kumara has gone for extra pace and again with control. Playing the conditions very well.
— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) November 27, 2024
Fair enough
