Proteas captain Quinton de Kock has said that that it was not an easy win for his team despite beating Sri Lanka by an innings and 45 runs on the fourth day of the first Test played in Centurion on Tuesday.
Replying to the Proteas’ first innings score of 621, the Sri Lankans were bowled out for 180 runs in 46.1 overs.
The Sri Lankans, who were hit by a number of injuries to key players in the four days of play, scored 396 runs for nine in 96 overs in
their first innings.
‘‘Obviously, the Sri Lankans came out with positive intent. And we knew that it was quite a difficult wicket. A Test win never comes easy, you have to earn it. We fought very hard with the bat and going forward we can get better,’’ said De Kock.
‘‘I think it was a little bit easier for me, I had some good leaders in my team. I felt pretty much at home, pretty simple out there.’’
Meanwhile, Lions seamer Lutho Sipamla, who was making his Test debut, picked six wickets after leaking 100 runs.
Sipamla got four wickets and leaked 76 runs in the 16 overs he bowled in Sri Lanka’s first innings. He then went on to bag two wickets and gave away 24 runs in five overs during the second innings.
‘‘Lutho came to us, it was Test match debut and nerves. When we spoke to him he came back very nicely, a great come back from him, great character he has shown,’’ said De Kock.
