South Africa seal 10-wicket win to secure series sweep
The visitors resumed with a small lead of just five runs, and six second-innings wickets in hand on day three. Dimuth Karunaratne had been instrumental in knocking off the deficit, and he soon moved to his 10th Test hundred.
But the skipper skied an attempted pull off Anrich Nortje shortly after and was caught for 103, before Niroshan Dickwella mistimed a drive to hand Lungi Ngidi his fourth wicket of the innings.
🇿🇦 Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram complete a straightforward chase to seal a 2-0 series victory 🎉
— ICC (@ICC) January 5, 2021
1️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ World Test Championship points for the hosts 👏#SAvSL SCORECARD ▶️ https://t.co/TqFCkoOsdl pic.twitter.com/dWF5LIMSWs
Dasun Shanaka was caught at mid-on from the bowling of Wiaan Mulder for eight, and Wanindu Hasaranga's innings of 16 ended with a heave across the line against Sipamla.
The 22-year-old quick bowler, in just his second Test, then wrapped up the innings by having Dushmantha Chameera caught behind before clattering Asitha Fernando's off stump to leave the visitors 211 all out.
💯
— ICC (@ICC) January 5, 2021
10th Test century for Dimuth Karunaratne. What a crucial knock this has been from the Sri Lanka captain 👏#SAvSL SCORECARD ▶️ https://t.co/TqFCkp634T pic.twitter.com/hbF78VCWcP
With just 67 runs needed to secure victory, Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram set out positively. The five overs of play before lunch saw them reach 24/0, although there was a late scare for Markram as he edged one low to slip. However, the third umpire adjudged that it had not carried.
In all the pair took just 13.2 overs to reach the target, securing a 2-0 series sweep as well as a full 120 ICC World Test Championship points from the series.
Sri Lanka will now head home to face England in another two Tests, while South Africa's next challenge will be their visit to Pakistan.