Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene stroked a superb 123 to guide his team to a dramatic one-wicket victory against South Africa on the final day of the second Test on Tuesday, taking the series 2-0.
Sri Lanka, resuming the day on 262-5 and needing 90 more runs, appeared to be on the brink of victory at lunch needing just 19.
But left-arm spinner Nicky Boje tempted Jayawardene into a lofted extra-cover driver with 11 runs needed and Herschelle Gibbs snapped up a sharp chance at slip, triggering one final dramatic twist to a remarkable Test match.
Chaminda Vaas (four) was then brilliantly caught by a diving AB de Villiers at third slip and Muttiah Muralitharan (two) was bowled by Andrew Hall as he tried to slog the winning runs, leaving Sri Lanka still needing two runs.
But Farveez Maharoof (29 not out), who batted for 120 deliveries, held his nerve with a drive down the ground to tie the scores and last-man Lasith Malinga drove Boje through mid on to clinch victory. — Reuters