Sri Lanka's capitulation to South Africa turned out to be the second-fastest in the history of Test cricket, with South Africa taking a mere 83 balls to roll them over for 42 all out in Durban.
In the history of Test cricket, it was just the second instance of a completed Test innings in less than 14 overs. The lowest-ever remains South Africa's collapse against England, their 30 all out (and ten single-digit scores) taking just 12.3 overs. It came in the 1924 Birmingham Test, which makes Sri Lanka's capitulation the worst in a 100 years.
There have been 2,410 Test been played between South Africa's Birmingham collapse and their demolition of Sri Lanka on Thursday.
The wrecker-in-chief was Marco Jansen, who produced the second-best figures by a left-arm fast bowler in Test history. He finished with figures of 6.5-1-13-7, the third-best figures by a South African at home.
This was comfortably Sri Lanka's lowest Test total ever, beating their 71 all out against Pakistan in the 1994 Kandy Test.
Read: Lowest totals in Test history, full list: Where does Sri Lanka's 42 all out stand?
Marco Jansen recorded the second-best Test figures by a left-arm seamer as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 42 in Durban 👏
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 28, 2024
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Shortest completed innings in Test history: Sri Lanka succumb to 100-year low
| Team | Score | Balls | Opposition | Year |
| South Africa | 30 | 75 | v England | 1924 |
| Sri Lanka | 42 | 83 | v South Africa | 2024 |
| South Africa | 30 | 94 | v England | 1896 |
| England | 61 | 94 | v Australia | 1902 |
| Ireland | 38 | 94 | v England | 2019 |
| Australia | 58 | 99 | v England | 1936 |
| India | 42 | 102 | v England | 1974 |
| Australia | 47 | 108 | v South Africa | 2011 |
| Australia | 60 | 111 | v England | 2015 |
| Bangladesh | 43 | 112 | v West Indies | 2018 |
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