Marco Jansen stole the show in South Africa’s opening Test against Sri Lanka at Kingsmead, Durban, with a sensational spell of 7/13, his career-best in Test cricket. The left-arm pacer, fresh off a lucrative ₹7 crore IPL 2025 contract with Punjab Kings, delivered a historic performance that dismantled Sri Lanka for a mere 42 runs, their lowest-ever Test total.
Jansen’s spell stands as the second-best figures by a left-arm pacer in Test history, only behind Mitchell Johnson’s 8/61 against South Africa in 2008. It places him among the elite, including Neil Wagner (7/39) and Mike Whitney (7/27).
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After being bowled out for 191 in their first innings, South Africa saw Jansen’s fiery pace wreak havoc on Sri Lanka, reducing the visitors to just 42 in 13.5 overs, the fourth-lowest total against South Africa. This collapse, spanning just 83 balls, is the second-shortest Test innings by balls faced, following South Africa’s 75-ball collapse against England in 1924.
Sri Lanka’s batters struggled, with Kamindu Mendis (13) and Lahiru Kumara (10*) being the only players to reach double digits. Kagiso Rabada (1/10) and Gerald Coetzee (2/18) provided vital support to Jansen.
Earlier, South Africa’s innings was anchored by Temba Bavuma’s resilient 70 and Keshav Maharaj’s 24, as Lahiru Kumara (3/70) and Asitha Fernando (3/44) excelled with the ball for Sri Lanka.
Jansen’s unforgettable performance has set the tone for the series, leaving cricket fans eagerly anticipating the battles ahead.
