Jansen takes part in South Africa as Sri Lanka’s tally drops to 42

The left-arm fast bowler took 7 for 13 as Sri Lanka were bowled out in 13.5 overs; this became the second shortest completed Test innings in history.

This gave South Africa a lead of 149 runs after they were dismissed for a modest 191 in their first innings.

The home team scored 132 for three in the second innings, increasing their lead to 281 runs.

But Jansen, one of international cricket’s tallest players at 2.06 metres, admitted he struggled to control the ball at the start of his spell and the strong wind blowing through the ground was a “big factor”.

The 24-year-old Jansen, who has played just eight T20 matches since returning from a three-month “conditioning break”, bowled a wide no-ball delivery before batsman Pathum Nissanka was required to bat the ball.

“I had a hard time getting my ankle behind the ball. It felt like I was struggling with something, but I just tried to make it work,” he said.

Kagiso Rabada made the breakthrough for South Africa when he had Dimuth Karunaratne caught at first slip before Jansen fired close enough in his second over to give Nissanka an edge to third slip.

It sparked an inspiring spell. Jansen’s speed and bounce, combined with his ability to swing the ball as a variation of his natural angle against right-handed batsmen, proved devastating.

But he still bowled two more no-balls. He glanced anxiously at the umpire to make sure he didn’t overstep again after at least his two wickets.

But once he found his rhythm, he said, “the ball was moving nice and fast out of bounds. We knew if we put the ball in the right areas we would always be in the game.”

He said that being away from cricket as instructed by Cricket South Africa had refreshed him mentally.

“I feel like I can concentrate at a high level for longer periods of time,” Jansen said.

– Good work ruined by collapse –

Sri Lanka’s collapse nullified the efforts of their bowlers, who dismissed South Africa in a long morning match.

Captain Temba Bavuma top scored for South Africa with 70 points.

Opening bowlers Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando took three and two wickets respectively but the most damage was done by fast bowler Lahiru Kumara, whose figures of three for 70 did not do justice to the aggressive performance.

Apart from his wickets, Kumara forced all-rounder Wiaan Mulder to retire due to a fractured right middle finger.

Mulder would not be able to bowl or field for the remainder of the match – but he returned in the fall of the ninth over to help Kagiso Rabada add 26 runs for the last wicket.

Surprisingly, he grounded out to third in the second inning and scored 15 in what was surely his final role in the game.

Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya provided a significant breakthrough for Sri Lanka in the second innings when he dismissed Tony de Zorzi for 17.

It was his 100th wicket in his 17th Test; this was at least the second match in history to reach this milestone.

“I am really happy with this effort,” Jayasuriya said. “There was a lot of support from the team and the coaching staff.”

Jayasuriya said he was disappointed with the team’s batting efforts but was determined to fight back.