Sri Lanka were bowled out for 42 by South Africa, their lowest Test total

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 42 by South Africa in Durban – the lowest Test total in the history of their men’s team.

In response to South Africa’s first innings 191, Sri Lanka were all out after 13.5 overs on day two of the first Test.

Marco Jansen returned career-best Test figures of 7-13 from 6.5 overs, with Gerald Coetzee (2-18) and Kagiso Rabada (1-10) claiming the other wickets.

The previous lowest Test innings by Sri Lanka’s men was 71 against Pakistan in Kandy in 1994.

Only eight times has a team been bowled out for less than 42 runs in men’s Test cricket.

Kamindu Mendis (13) and Lahiru Kumara (10) were the only batters to reach double figures.

Their innings lasted 83 balls, the second shortest in men’s Test history when a team was bowled out.

The lowest was by South Africa, who were bowled out for 30 off 75 balls by England at Edgbaston in 1924.

South Africa advanced to 132-3 at stumps and led by 281 runs.

Sri Lanka need to beat South Africa in both matches of the two-Test series and also beat Australia in both Tests in the New Year to secure their place in the final of the World Test Championship.

Three wins and a defeat from these final four Tests of the two-year cycle could be enough for a place in the finals.

South Africa can also reach the final and winning both Tests against Sri Lanka and a clean sweep in two Tests against Pakistan in December and January will guarantee their place.

Three wins and a draw from those four Tests could also be enough for the Proteas.

Sri Lanka are third in the World Test Championship standings, while South Africa are fifth.