Twitter Reactions: Sri Lanka script a historic series win over South Africa in Port Elizabeth
Kusal Mendis was named the Man of the Match.
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Sri Lanka became the first Asian team to win a Test series in South Africa. They had escaped with a sensational win in Durban but the visitors proved that it wasn’t a fluke and pounced in on the opportunity to put the pressure on the under-pressure Proteas batsmen. The game ended only in the first session of the third day and to everyone’s surprise, South Africa couldn’t pick even a single wicket.
Sri Lanka resumed at 60/2 on Saturday and there were hopes for the home side with the way things had panned out so far in the Test. But the duo of Kusal Mendis and Oshada Fernando did extremely well to deny them any wicket. After being watchful for the first few overs, they took the attack to the opposition. Mendis was especially superb with his knock as he slammed three fours off Dale Steyn with disdain to clear his intentions.
Fernando, on the other hand, played second fiddle and didn’t spare the simple deliveries. The South African bowlers tried their hearts out but two talented batsmen were at the mission and they didn’t deter.
Maharaj’s failure final nail in the coffin
The Faf du Plessis-led South Africa looked stunned with the way Sri Lanka were batting as they were expected to pick wickets in the first hour on the morning. After all his pace bowlers failed to even stem the run-flow, Du Plessis introduced Keshav Maharaj into the attack having still 89 runs in the kitty.
Interestingly, this spurred up the batsmen even more. They were well set and though a couple of false shots created chances, the ball only fell in the no-man’s land for the agony of the home side. In the end, the shoulders dropped as the target was being gunned down with utter ease and both the batsmen remained unbeaten until the end. Both Oshada and Mendis scored half-centuries and made sure there was no collapse with the history beckoning.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the historic series win for Sri Lanka:
@IamDimuth and boys what a series win @KusalMendis1 and osanda were brilliant with the bat.vishwa,kasun,Suranga and ambul were brilliant in the series with @KusalJPerera. Enjoy every bit of it guys 👏👏👏👏🍾🍾🍾🍾
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) February 23, 2019
Congratulations to Sri Lanka on a fantastic Test series win against SA in SA. This must be one of their greatest moments in their Test history. My friend @RusselArnold69 will be a really happy man #SAvSL
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 23, 2019
Truly remarkable achievement by @OfficialSLC 👏👏👏
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) February 23, 2019
Congratulations again @OfficialSLC for making history for Sri Lanka and Asia with this win. @IamDimuth @CHathurusinghe @KusalMendis1 @NiroshanDikka
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) February 23, 2019
Ayubowan Sri Lanka. So many seniors missing. Yet @OfficialSLC are the first Asian team to win a series in South Africa. One of the toughest places to win. Impossible really is nothing. My guy @RusselArnold69 will be dancing in the streets as will many in Sri Lanka👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
— ian bishop (@irbishi) February 23, 2019
Great win for Sri Lanka 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽#OnceAgainProve…
Great batting display by @KusalMendis1 and Oshada
Well played boys made us proud
It’s a great Test series win for Sri Lanka#MadeAHistory— Thisara perera (@PereraThisara) February 23, 2019
A remarkable test and series victory for @OfficialSLC, history making achievement. Who would’ve thought after their recent performances in Australia & NZ. #SAvSL #Congratulations
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) February 23, 2019
Congratulations @OfficialSLC for achieving what no other Sri Lankan team has ever come close to. Huge character shown by all concerned with The team, coaching staff and management having been under tremendous pressure. A team effort for the ages. Keep believing and keep fighting
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) February 23, 2019
Arguably the best day ever in the history of Asian test Cricket n surely the best day ever for #SLC.
Weldone @IamDimuth n team!
You made the entire nation proud🇱🇰🇱🇰 #SAvSL #LionsRoar #Speechless— Danushka Gunathilaka (@danushka_70) February 23, 2019
Congratulations boys. No word to say really happy about u all. Vishwa, oshada, kasun and Lasith impressed. KJP u beauty. Wel done to all the players and supporting staff.Wel done. Wel done.👏👏.@IamDimuth @KusalJPerera @Dhananjaya7575 @KusalMendis1 @CHathurusinghe @NiroshanDikka
— Dhammika Prasad (@imDhammika) February 23, 2019
Wonderful atmosphere at St George’s park as the iconic band plays Scatman as SL are on the verge of a magnificent Test series win. #SAvSL
— Niall John O Brien (@niallnobiobrien) February 23, 2019
Overwhelmed by the positivity coming out from the neighbours back in the Sub continent !!! 😁😁😁Awesome #SAvSL
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) February 23, 2019
Can't wait to see @RusselArnold69 tweeting in a couple of hours from now. 😝👌#SLvSA
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) February 23, 2019
Oshada Fernando comes from a poor family, once could't effort a cab to come to SLC in Colombo to hand over passport from hometown Kaduwela. Scored 1181 in FC season in 9 matches, got selected & scores maiden Test half century in historical Test win against all odds.🔥 #SAvSL #LKA
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) February 23, 2019
This is the first century partnership of the series. Just beyond ridiculous from these two. What a time to do it. #SAvSL
— Andrew Fidel Fernando (@afidelf) February 23, 2019
Teams winning series in South Africa since re-admission:
Australia (1997,2002,2006,2009,2014)
England (2004-05, 2015-16)
Sri Lanka (2019)#SAvSL— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) February 23, 2019
– Sri Lanka become just the 3rd touring team to win a Test series in South Africa (AUS & ENG); and the first from Asia
– South Africa's first Test series loss on home soil since 2015-16 v ENG
– Sri Lanka has won two of its past six Test series; both against RSA#SAvSL 🇱🇰
— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) February 23, 2019
Incredible effort to win the series 0-2. This is huge for Sri Lankan and definitely world cricket. Test cricket has turned on its head in the last few months n its brilliant #SAvSL
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) February 23, 2019
Good to see young Sri Lankan players speaking in Sinhalese rather than searching their way around a language they are uncomfortable in. Best that way.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 23, 2019
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