Twitter Reactions: Dilruwan Perera and Herath run-through the Proteas to hand them a 278-run thrashing

South Africa’s woes against the quality spin-bowling continued as they succumbed to a heavy defeat against Sri Lanka in the first of the two-match Test series. They never looked comfortable while facing the tweakers of the Islanders and could only score 200 runs combined in both the innings. Dilruwan Perera was their nemesis as he returned with the match figures of 10/78.

Dimuth Karunaratne was the hero for the hosts in the first innings as he carried his bat after scoring 158 runs. His heroics helped Sri Lanka post a decent total of 287 runs after they were reduced to 176/8 courtesy of venomous bowling from Kagiso Rabada who picked 4 wickets. But the Proteas failed to handle the three spinners of the oppositions as the pitch had started turning square by the first session on the second day.

Their batsmen had no idea which way the ball was turning as the visitors were bundled out for a meagre total of 126 runs thereby conceding a hefty lead of 161 runs.

Same story in the second innings

The batsmen had to graft it out in their second essay with the 22 yards in Galle deteriorating very fast. Karunaratne was the standout batsman again for Sri Lanka as he continued from where he left off in the first innings and scored 60 runs. Keshav Maharaj scalped 4 wickets as the home side was bowled out for 190 to set a daunting target of 352 runs in front of their opponents.

It is a nightmare to bat in the fourth innings at Galle and Proteas’ inability to play spin-bowling made it impossible for them to even put up a fight. Only Dilruwan and Herath bowled in the second innings for Sri Lanka as the former registered his sixth five-wicket haul in Tests. Only three South African batsmen could reach the double figures in the chase as they failed to reach 100 in their second attempt.

The visitors were eventually bundled out for 73 runs and were annihilated by 278 runs. It was the exhibition of the quality spin bowling from the duo of Herath and Perera as they landed the ball in right areas time and again to baffle the opposition batsmen. Somehow, they will have to find a way to score runs against the spinner to level the Test series now. The second and final Test match will be played from July 20 in Colombo at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Here’s how Twitter reacted as the Proteas lost the game:

Some shocking cricket #SLvSA

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) July 14, 2018

For a team who normally travel well, @OfficialCSA will be licking their wounds tonight, totalling ambushed by @OfficialSLC #SLvSA

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) July 14, 2018

Clinical and ruthless by @OfficialSLC. Brilliant by the spinners Dilruwan and the legend @HerathRSL. Huge congrats. Crushing win

— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) July 14, 2018

Wickets falling faster than I can tweet #SLvSA

— Dennis Herath (@DennisCricket_) July 14, 2018

#proteas #SLvSA dale benkenstein was one of the greatest batsmen in the world which is why he was hired as batting coach. …..aside from that just shows the massive problems in SA cricket and been there for years. Otis was a poor choice as well. This whole team screams medioce!

— hussain shaan (@just_shaanh) July 14, 2018

Maybe @ABdeVilliers17 retired so he won’t have to eat his own words against this off-season team.. 😆 #SLvSA #lka #GalleTest

— Aaron Ray (@Aa7RAY) July 14, 2018

GAME OVER

73 all out.

WHAT
A
SHAME!!!
DISGRACE!! #SLvSA

— Cricket Babe (@LadyCharlotte01) July 14, 2018

De Kock
(Last 5 Test Innings in Asia)

0
37
0
3
10#SLvSA #SAvSL

— Jυɳeɗ ….!! (@Marvellous_Capt) July 14, 2018

Klaasen, de Bruyne and von Berg should be in the team for the next test Philander moved up the order. Elgar, Steyn and Amla should be "rested". Two chances to perform at International Level thats, enough chances. Amla average 25.87 in 2018. #SLvSA

— SeanNeilTalbot (@SeanNeil_Talbot) July 14, 2018

#SLvSA what a collapse. pic.twitter.com/OkNZPrWCIS

— SlowPo1son (@SlowPo1son) July 14, 2018

Off season cricket or school cricket?? @ABdeVilliers17
Dismal "off season" performance by @OfficialCSA even with their best possible XI #SLvSA

— Malan Evans (@ME_2991) July 14, 2018

#Proteas seem to be in a mighty hurry to conclude their procession. While, #lions hunt to continue in #Colombo. A real off-season for @OfficialCSA and @ABdeVilliers17 and peak season for @OfficialSLC #SLvSA #lka

— Pranavesh Sivakumar (@PranaSiva) July 14, 2018

#SLvSA
missing you @ABdeVilliers17
😂😂
well done @OfficialSLC 👍👍 pic.twitter.com/TKkDssDYmd

— Nishant (@nishant1892) July 14, 2018

Wtf

Absolutely disgusting

Hashim Amla is having the worst career ending that nobody should have in cricket history with so many fans defend him(for failures) and I'm one of them#ProteaFire#proteas#SLvSA#savsl
Kagiso rabada@cricbuzz

— Mohammed Saif (@ImSaifAkbar) July 14, 2018

If @ICC rated this pitch as poor then there's a question about their decision making….!

(Cuz I can smell something like this, coming in SL's way….)

If I'm not mistaken, they rated GALLE pitch poor when AUS,ENG,IND,SA couldn't deal with spin #ICCDOUBLESTANDARDS #SLvSA

— Sandun Rathnayake®️ (@Sandun_R) July 14, 2018

Granted the #Proteas batsmen have batted poorly. Some poor shots and decisions made but shew this pitch was not what a Test wicket should be. #SLvSA #SSCricket Disappointed

— The Mushi (@Mushiii20) July 14, 2018

I wonder If the ECB will let us borrow Merlyn from them? #Spinmachine #SLvSA #SSCricket #PlaySpinBetter

— Tim-CricketGuy (@Tim32_cricket) July 14, 2018

#SLvSA amazing to see herath at his old age stilll playing. Takes a lot off hardwork an dedication to keep on going. One off the best left arm spinners of all time. Under appreciated in the world of cricket. Sri Lanka will massively miss him.

— Midey Salaaaaah! (@ChaudharyMidey) July 14, 2018

#proteas fan at #galle, hoping for a miracle like @helenzille. This is why @officialcsa don't have a @TheBarmyArmy. 71-9, utter humiliation #SLvSA pic.twitter.com/KboBR0PjZv

— Neal Collins (@nealcol) July 14, 2018

South Africa have been bowled out for 73 in Galle, their lowest total in Tests since readmission. #SLvRSA

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) July 14, 2018

Its really sad how bad we play spinners in the sub continent. Clearly we need a proper batting coach #SLvSA

— Msira (@msira_ndlovu) July 14, 2018

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