South Africa beat Sri Lanka in 2nd test by 109 runs, boosts WTC hopes

South Africa beat Sri Lanka to boost WTC hopes. (Photo: AP)

South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 109 runs on the last morning of the second cricket Test at St George's Park and swept the series 2-0 on Monday.

The odds favored South Africa, which needed five more wickets, while Sri Lanka needed 143 more runs in a chase of 348 and its last recognised batters were in the middle.

The Proteas ended the fightbacks of captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis in the first half hour, exposed the tail, and finished off Sri Lanka for 238 before lunch.

Spinner Keshav Maharaj took three of the five wickets and achieved his 11th career five-wicket haul, 5-76.

South Africa also consolidated its hopes of qualifying for a first World Test Championship final by moving to the top of the standings with two more home tests to come against Pakistan starting on Dec. 26.