Kusal Perera has described his account of Sri Lanka’s magnificent one-wicket victory over South Africa in the first Test at Durban, citing a stoic approach against one of the meanest pace attacks in world cricket as the catalyst for his side’s remarkable feat.
Chasing an improbable 304 in the fourth innings of a low-scoring Test, Perera hit a stunning unbeaten 153 as he and number 11 Vishwa Fernando amassed 78 for the final wicket – the highest ever 10th-wicket stand in a successful run chase in first-class cricket.
Fernando battled for a career-high 6* from 27 balls as he and Perera took numerous blows from the menacing contingent of Proteas quicks. Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Duanne Olivier all failed to pin the last crucial scalp, testament to the unflappable approach of Sri Lanka’s newest heroes.
“Perera was obviously unbelievable,” said the Proteas skipper. “To get 160-170 out of that score will take a Superman effort. So he deserves all the accolades that come to him after this game. Whatever we tried, we brought the field up, he still managed to get a one away or a boundary away. He just kept knocking away every over.”
South Africa will look to draw parity in the second and final match of this Test series which begins on Thursday, February 21, from Port Elizabeth.
