Rapid Rabada runs riot to hand South Africa emphatic win

Pacer’s 10-wicket haul guides side to 282-run win in second Test as hosts claim three-match series 2-0

CAPE TOWN: Kagiso Rabada claimed a six-wicket haul on Thursday as South Africa bowled Sri Lanka out for 224 in their second innings to win the second Test by 282 runs with a day and a half to spare and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Sri Lanka failed to last the first session of the fourth day at Newlands, having resumed on 130-4 and being dismissed after just over 100 minutes of play. They added 94 runs for their final six wickets to fold easily after being set a huge 507-run target on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old Rabada, who finished with figures of 6-55 and a second 10-wicket haul in a Test, ran through the visiting batsmen in a fiery seven-over spell, first having Dinesh Chandimal (30) caught as he flicked the ball up to Stephen Cook at short leg.



Upul Tharanga was next to go as he swung the bat through a brief knock of 12 runs off seven balls, perishing when he got a bottom edge through to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.

Rabada, having taken two overnight, then claimed his fifth wicket of the innings, surprising captain Angelo Mathews with some extra bounce and finding the edge of the bat for De Kock to take another catch. Mathews went for 49, the top Sri Lankan score of the Test.

“Disappointing, after winning the toss and having the advantage in the first session,” said the Sri Lankan skipper according to ESPNCricinfo. “Once again our batters have let the team down, haven't got enough runs on the board to give the bowlers a chance. We haven't concentrated for long hours, trying to hit good balls and getting nicked.”



Mathews also praised the two young pacers that took the game by storm. “[Lahiru Kumara is] just 19 years of age and bowling really well — taking six-for was fantastic,” he said. “Credit to Rabada, the way he bowled in the second innings was brilliant. The bowlers have given us a chance but the batters haven't given the bowlers a chance, so that's what we need to change."

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis was understandably delighted. “That's pretty much as close to the perfect game as you can play, we wanted to dominate Sri Lanka and every single opportunity the team stepped up,” he said.



South Africa did dominate the Test, save for the first session on the opening day, scoring 392 in their first innings with Dean Elgar and De Kock both getting centuries. Philander and Rabada then took four wickets each as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 110 in reply but South Africa did not enforce the follow on, batting again instead and declaring midway through the third day on 224-7.

South Africa won the first Test in Port Elizabeth by 206 runs and will be seeking a whitewash of the series in the third Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg from January 12.