South Africa have knocked Australia off their perch as the No.1-ranked Test nation with a nail-biting draw in Colombo.
The Proteas batted out the rain-affected final day of the second Test on Monday to seal a 1-0 series triumph after winning the opening match in Galle.
In a thrilling finish, Vernon Philander (27 not out) and Imran Tahir (four not out) survived more than eight overs on a tricky spinning wicket for South Africa to finish on 8-159 after the visitors were set an unlikely 369 for victory.
It was a great result for Hashim Amla in his first series as captain, the right-hander making 139 not out in the first innings and batting for a total of 541 deliveries in the Test to thwart the spin-heavy Sri Lankan attack.
Michael Clarke’s Australian side can reclaim the top ranking if they beat Pakistan in a two-Test series in the United Arab Emirates in October.
It was South Africa’s first series win in Sri Lanka since 1993 when they first toured the country and defeated the hosts 1-0.
“It was a tough battle. Lasting 110 overs on that wicket with quality spinners was credit to the guys,” Amla said.
“When we conceded 400 in the first innings, that was a setback, and then we were 13 for two. But it set it up nicely for the end.”
For Sri Lanka, it was only their second home series defeat since 2006.
“It’s disappointing not to end up on the winning side,” Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews said.
“We did everything right (but) they are a very hard team to beat, whether home or away.”
Starting the day at 1-38, South Africa added just 121 runs off 94 overs, opting for defensive batting rather than press for a win.
The Sri Lankan spinners gave it their all but constant rain breaks and sloppy fielding put paid to their efforts.
Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath led the pack with 5-40 from 45 overs while the stocky 36-year-old was well supported by off-spinner Dilruwan Perera who grabbed 3-60.
Amla at one stage faced 57 successive dot balls, frustrating the Sri Lankan bowlers no end.
He was finally dismissed by Perera who had him caught by Mahela Jayawardene in the fourth over of the final session.
The hosts, who posted 421 in their first dig, had bowled out South Africa for 282 in their first innings to gain a 139-run lead.
Sri Lanka declared their second innings on 8-229.
ChrisT
Guest
Not that strange. The series against the Poms was a god send to the rankings. They arrived clearly in a bad place and continued to self destruct. Any tour that sees the dressing room lead and top world spinner jack it in mid tour, followed by the acrimonious jettisoning of the most prolific and successful batsman, tells it's own tale.
ChrisB
Guest
What a strange comment. Why is our "deservedness" low? We beat what were supposed to be the top two teams at the time, the no 1 in an away series. Don't see how that's undeserving Mind you this whole ranking thing is load of boll#ks if you ask me. Meaningless drivel. Good effort by the Saffirs though, still a very tough team. And what a fine bowler Herath is. Best left arm spinner since Bedi and Underwood for mine.
Dave
Guest
We are discussing the performance of the current/recent team. Many of those players were starting out in 2006. The players of 1999 are no longer around. Anyway the further back one goes the less relevant data becomes. The ICC ranking weight recent data more heavily than older data. So BBs analysis is relevant He could start it a bit later.... I suspect it would make no difference though of he started it in 2008
AlanKC
Guest
Good at paying off loans though.
JGK
Roar Guru
I think they actually won that game having only to bat for couple of sessions chasing a small target.
Add to that, this is the period we have been undefeated in our run away from home, don't see why you have an issue with it.
How is it selective, it is the period over which most of the current players started playing, hence I am showing those stats. I can pick our stats for you in the early 1900 when we lost just about every test we played, except thse guys weren't playing then.
Ragav
Guest
Australia saved a test against SL on the fifth day quite comfortably in their previous tour there when Michael Hussey won 3 man of the matches in 3 Tests.
Ragav
Guest
That is a very selective period that you have chosen as the start date (December 2006) for your statistics. Why don't we consider the period from 1999 or 2012 instead? Is it a coincidence that all Australian greats (Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist, Martyn, Langer) retired within a short time from that period? Won 40 and lost 16 is not that great when compared to Steve Waugh's captaincy record or even Ponting's 100 Test wins.
Vic
Guest
Great result Proteas - and a good start for Hashim as captain. Takes a lot of guts to bat like that in the sub-continent.
Dave
Guest
And during that time. Number of series losses away = ZERO Its just those 2 home series losses against Aus) that blot their copybook Even over Aus they have 2 away series wins and one home series draw vs 2 home series draws.
Dave
Guest
Nonsense you are letting your bias show. More than enough? - On a 5th day pitch that was breaking up? With good SL spinners? It has never been done in SL. Why would it be "more than enough" now. BTW - I remember one of the Waugh's holding out for a draw against SA years back. It was excisting Look at the win record. High win % Low loss %. Low draw % We should always want to win but when we dont we shouldn't lose.
Every team has their own approach of how they play the game. Some teams (like Australia) pride themselves on entertainment first, and prize the winning of every test more than anything else. SA play to win series, that is not to say they don't play for the win either. They just have a more measured approach towards a test match situation. After Sri Lanka socred in excess of 400 runs at a very good rate, and we lost two early wickets chances to win the match had gone out the wicket as the ball was already breaking through the surface on the second day, the ball spun and bounced prodigiously as well. SO the challenge was there to stretch the game out and surviving more than 250 overs. We did that. Whether you find it boring, uninspiring is a matter of opinion. We haven't lost an away series since 2007, 11 unbeaten series with 7 series wins and 4 draws. The results says is all. Our record since December 2006 Tests played 72 Won 40 Drawn 16 Lost 16 I doubt any other nation comes even close to that during the past 8 years.
Antiwhippy
Guest
I honestly would not bet on any side scoring that much on a day 5 pitch in sri lanka, against sri lankan spinners. Blocking out for draws also shows great skill.
tomjas
Guest
South Africa are safety first every time and aside from a couple of players, they are dull as dishwater If the rain hadn't intervened they almost certainly would have lost Stupid thing is that they would have also received more than enough overs to chase down the total but that is not part of their makeup
Pope Paul vii
Guest
This is true, Aussie's are traditionally pox at saving.
ak
Roar Guru
South Africa are very good at batting for a long hard draw it seems. They did it against Australia. Then almost again this year. And now, 159 off 111 overs. And on the fifth day 121 off 94 overs. Wow. Hashim Amla makes 25 off 159 balls. JP Duminy scores 3 off 65. Wow. Great temperament from the Proteas.
Tom from Perth
Guest
Philip Hughes just scored 202 not out from 150 balls in a 50 over game against SA A... I wish CA still streamed these games.
JGK
Roar Guru
Australia hasn't really batted out a day 5 since Old Trafford in 2005 which itself required a brilliant innings from Ponting and a last wicket stand by Lee and Pidge.
Rusty
Roar Guru
except for the test they lost... probably would have been helpful then and of course the preceding 8 tests before that lot