Kusal Perera produced a swashbuckling innings for the ages to almost single-handedly lift Sri Lanka to a remarkable one-wicket win over South Africa in a nail-biting finish to the first Test at Kingsmead.
The visitors were close to defeat when they subsided to 226 for 9 while chasing 304, but Perera held his nerve with an astonishing 153 not-out to get them cross the line.
Perera’s knock consisted of 12 fours and five sixes and he provided the bulk of the runs in an unbeaten partnership of 78 with Vishwa Fernando – the highest partnership for the last wicket in a successful chase in Test cricket.
Fernando scored just six runs but kept the Proteas bowlers at bay in the 27 balls he faced, allowing his batting partner to guide the Islanders to victory.
Here’s the video:
Kusal Perera hit an incredible 💯 to lead Sri Lanka to a stunning one-wicket victory over South Africa in the first Test in Durban.
Report & highlights 👉 https://t.co/ybEgvqzWAB pic.twitter.com/M1V8iK1woJ
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 16, 2019
