Kusal, Oshada lead Sri Lanka to second victory against Proteas ; clinch series two-nil

Unbeaten half-centuries by Kusal Mendis and Oshada Fernando saw Sri Lanka through to an eight-wicket win in the second test match against South Africa to clinch the two-match series two-nil a short while ago.

The win also saw Sri Lanka registering itself as the first Asian team to record a test series win against South Africa in their own backyard.

Chasing a target of 197 to win with three days in hand, Sri Lanka resumed their innings on their overnight score of 60 for two with Oshada Fernando and Kusal Mendis remaining unbeaten on 17 and 21 respectively.

South Africa's batting woes continued after opting to bat first as they slumped to 222 all out within the first two sessions of play on Day 1. Left arm pacer Vishwa Fernando and Kasun Rajitha tore through the Proteas batting lineup as they clinched three wickets each.

The Lankan lads did not fare well with the bat either as they were shot out for 154 with Niroshan Dickwella being the top scorer with 42 runs. 

With a batting lineup sans Lasith Ambuldeniya at the tail-end the Lankans kept losing wickets at regular intervals as pacie Kagiso Rabada emerged as the pick of the South African bowlers by picking up four scalps for 38. 

The Proteas commenced their second innings with a lead of 68 hoping to avoid a repetition of last week's smarting loss at Durban thanks to the heroics of Kusal Janith Perera.

However, things did not go in their favour as Suranga Lakmal and Dhanajaya de Silva wrecked through their batting by picking four and three wickets apiece respectively.

Skipper Faf du Plessis, however played a lone warrior's innings as he remained unbeaten on 50.

Scores summary

South Africa [1^st innings] : 222 all out (Quinton de Kock 86, Aiden Markem 60, Vishwa Fernando 3/62, Kasun Rajitha 3/67)

Sri Lanka [1^st innings] : 154 all out (Niroshan Dickwella 42, Kagiso Rabada 4/38, Duanne OIiver 3/61)

South Africa [2^nd innings] : 128 all out (Faf du Plessis 50^*, Suranga Lakmal 4/39, 3/36)

Sri Lanka [2^nd innings] : 197/2 (Kusal Mendis 84^* , Oshada Fernando 75*, Duanne OIiver 1/26)