Sri Lanka fail to cope with Philander's pace; crash to heavy defeat in 1st Test
Sri Lanka fail to cope with Philander's pace; crash to heavy defeat in 1st TestVernon Philander claimed his second five-wicket haul of the match as South Africa stormed to victory by an innings and 81 runs before tea on the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at SuperSport Park here on Saturday.
SA players celebrate after their win on Saturday. Pic/AFPSri Lanka crashed to 150 all out in their second innings, with Philander taking five for 49 after taking five for 53 in the first innings. Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher took six catches to equal the South African record for the fourth time.
The Sri Lankans could not cope with South Africa's pace attack on a pitch of uneven bounce and extravagant seam movement. They lost their first six wickets for 70 runs and only some desperation hitting by their tailenders enabled them to reach their eventual total.
Sri Lanka were 38 for four at lunch. Fast bowling discovery Philander took two wickets and Dale Steyn one before Sri Lanka lost Mahela Jayawardene to a needless run out when he was one run short of becoming the first Sri Lankan to score 10,000 runs in Tests.
