Written by: Pranjal Khatiwoda - 2022013, Grade X
Posted on: 22 March, 2021
And Perera has done it!! edged past the keeper, to the third person boundary for four, Srilanka scripts an unthinkable victory and a series win for ages, magical Perera wins it for them - echoes in-ear of every Srilankan and a cricket fan remembering the blinder played by Kusal Janith Perera in the 1st Test 2018/19 at Kingsmead, Durban against South Africa.
A full-fledged South African team was ready for yet another series win in their backyard playing against a Srilankan team with the lack of both experience and skills. No one would have ever believed that an Asian team and that too, Srilanka was going to get a series victory in South Africa until then, but after the 1st Test Match, the scenario completely changed. For a change in history, something special is required from someone, that test saw Kusal Perera stood and do something special. A 1st innings lead of 44 and a handy 2nd innings score of 258 saw South Africa in a comfortable position to win that test match. The target of 304 was unthinkable to be chased against a high-quality pace attack of South Africa consisting of Rabada, Philander, Steyn, and with the pitch breathing fire on day 5. As expected, Srilanka lost their 9 wickets for just 226, with Kusal Perera still fighting with 86 not out, Vishwa Fernando the last man stepped in when Srilanka still required 78 runs to win. South African pacers had already smelled their victory after the fall of the 8th wicket, but they were to witness a masterclass that they never expected. Vishwa Fernando’s job was to survive and just give the strike to Perera, who might slog a few and get his 100. Perera and Vishwa played carefully until Perera reached 100. The careful tactics were not going to work because with only a wicket left and so much time in the test, it was impossible to play for a draw. However, Perera decided to attack, he got his rhythm back by hitting a ball of Duane Olivier’s for a six. Then, there was carnage in Kingsmead. SIX!! of Steyn, SIX!! of Rabada, SIX!! of Maharaj. Perera was tearing South African bowlers apart. The South African team was frustrated, FAF’s men couldn’t believe what was in front of them. However, some decisions were going in the favour of Srilanka. But as they say, fortune favors the brave. The total for Srilanka seemed less and less after every delivery. From 78, it came down to 30, and then to 20, and then 10. The test match added more spice to it when Fernando was given not out in the ball of Rabada, and which the South African team opted not to review, which was out. It came down to 4 runs and the man of the moment Perera was not out on 149. Rabada was the bowler to have been involved in the making of history but on the wrong side. That ball went to four just wide of the keeper and Srilanka went on to win the 1st test 1-0 with an unassailable lead of 1-0 in the series. Because of Perera, this was only the third time a 300-plus total has been chased at Kingsmead and only the second time that has happened since the turn of the millennium.
Perera's innings secured 897.2 rating points, which is about 30 points more than the previous top innings, Graham Gooch's 154 at Headingley in 1991 against the West Indies to put him into the top spot of Golden Willow 25 (GW 25) table of top batting performances.
