Which Test series win has more significance - Windies vs England or Sri Lanka vs South Africa?

[Sarwar89]

West Indies and Sri lanka were 2 teams considered not fit enough for Test Cricket anymore.

Over all their respective wins over Mighty England and South Africa has somewhat altered the course of modern Test Cricket history.

1) Sri lanka becomes First Asian country and over all 3rd Country to win Test Series in South Africa in 130 years. South Africa got Test Status in 1889.

2) West Indies won their First Major Test Series against SENA nation after gap of 7 years.

I also want to bring Pakistan into this. A country of 200 plus million people. But mighty under achievers in Test Arena. No away Test series win against Eng (since 1996) Aus S Africa.

Sri lanka also won in England 2014. And beat Pak away in 2017.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

SL over SA easily.

This a newbie SL team with half of its players unknown.

And they were blanked at home vs Eng and against NZ in NZ before this series. This makes the acheivement even more special.

Kusal's innings should be declared as greatest test innings of all time now without any dispute as his innings was mainly the difference in SL winning the series.

 

[Sarwar89]

We can also add up Nzl win in UAE over Pakistan as very significant perhaps at par with West indian win over Eng.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

SL

But i personally enjoyed WI win more because of that teams flair

 

[lahoriyah1234]

SRL Won . Man congratulations to my all lovely srl fans. Shame on India and Pak couldn’t beat a declining SA side.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

SRL Won ��. Man congratulations to my all lovely srl fans. Shame on India and Pak couldn’t beat a declining SA side.

At least we won a test and that side had ABD. You were white washed on the other hand - Abd

 

[Ali_Pakistan]

There have been few brilliant performances from teams in the last 6 months. I would rate them in the following order.
1. SL win over SA
2. NZ win over Pak
3. Ind win over Aus
4. WI win over Eng
5. Eng win over SL

 

[lahoriyah1234]

At least we won a test and that side had ABD. You were white washed on the other hand - Abd

So True mate i was shocked we couldn’t beat this SA team, it was a golden opportunity. Pakistan need to produce solid test batsmen, we were playing Odi cricket in that test series.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Every series win is a significant one. If we are talking about resurrection of teams i say Windies has taken right step in the right direction. Srilanka i have to wait and see. They are wildly flucutating. They got absolutely canned at home by India.. Then went to Pakistan whitewashed them. More recently thrashed in Australia and NZ now blanked SA in SA. We never know which SL will turn up next time. Having said that they have made SA their hand puppy. 5 test wins in a row.

 

[happydavy]

Measured purely in terms of gravitude of upsets, SL series win is one of the biggest in the history of this game and certainly the biggest one is the last 2 decades. Congrats to Lankan fans, this is right up there with the 96 world cup. The sheer amount of confidence gained by Lankans and WI would mean this world cup will be far more interesting than what we had all anticipated until now.

 

[jeetu]

Both are major upsets. But i'll give it to Sri Lanka for providing bigger upset.

 

[jnaveen1980]

All in all this is such a health sign. Not long ago we were discussing about having Tier 1, Tier 2. Not anymore. Bangladesh managed to win a couple of Tests against big guys at home. Ireland even competed in one of the Test they played. No single team is dominating right now like Australia was doing.

 

[MP2011]

Easily SL test series win was better. Not only they had several no name players in their ranks, but they defeated SA in SA, something unthinkable for subcon teams.

 

[MP2011]

All in all this is such a health sign. Not long ago we were discussing about having Tier 1, Tier 2. Not anymore. Bangladesh managed to win a couple of Tests against big guys at home. Ireland even competed in one of the Test they played. No single team is dominating right now like Australia was doing.

Yeah, great for test cricket health. Augurs well for upcoming test championship.

 

[wrongun]

The bigger (more difficult) achievement is SL first Test series win in SA. It is a very, very hard task at the best of times for ANY team, add in the unfamiliar conditions and inexperience and strength of SA bowling and it is just mind blowing.

As for the most significant I'd say WI... I'm not sure this marks a period of sustained success for SL medium term. But this WI team is starting to look like they are genuinely on the up. I don't think they'll be consistent or world beaters for the next couple of years but after decades of poor teams & questionable team culture & administration I think the blocks for some sustained improvement are in place.

Holder has become the man & the captain & the player they were praying he could be. Some good young talent has been selected around him. Administrators have made peace/a way to live alongside the T20 leagues so stop losing players. Selectors not only picked young talent bit stick with it long enough to see dividends, not just random 2 matches here or there. Gabriel is delivering on promise, Roach having a renaissance , Bravo back in the fold. They are probably one class/experienced batsman away from being a top side (Gayle to do a 2 year test cameo? Brathwaite to go to another level? Holder to keep scoring heavily enough to be a test #6 avg 35/50?).

 

[BaankeJi]

Very happy for both SL and WI.
WI win was bigger upset. England were playing with their strongest side while SA were a bit weaker in last few years.
Good days for test cricket!

 

[Robert]

Both are major upsets. But i'll give it to Sri Lanka for providing bigger upset.

WI-ENG was not a major upset as England’s batting is their worst of all time and they are mostly useless away.

I am very surprised by SL’s away win as even useless England whitewashed them at home. But then they were facing the weakest SA batting line of all time.

 

[jnaveen1980]

https://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Proteas/proteas-embarrassed-as-sri-lanka-make-history-20190223

Proteas embarrassed as Sri Lanka make history

Cape Town - Minnows Sri Lanka stunned not only the Proteas, but the cricketing world, when they made history in clinching a 2-0 Test series victory over South Africa in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

WATCH: AB de Villiers hits the most outrageous 6 you have ever seen!

Never before had a subcontinent team - India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka - claimed a series win on South African shores.

Until now.

History as it happened: South Africa v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test

The list of Test cricketing superstars to have tried, but failed include household names like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Muttiah Muralitharan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Virat Kohli, among others.

However, the Sri Lankan class of 2019, captained by little-known Dimuth Karunaratne, have forever etched their names into cricketing folklore.

After losing the toss at St George's Park and being asked to bowl, Sri Lanka skittled the Proteas for 222.

Fairing even worse in their first knock, Sri Lanka conceded a 68-run lead as South Africa took to the crease for their second innings, only to succumb for a paltry 128, leaving Sri Lanka a target of 197 for victory.

Starting Saturday's Day 3 requiring a further 137 runs for the victory with eight wickets in hand, Sri Lanka coasted to their target thanks to heroic innings' from Oshada Fernando (75*) and Kusal Mendis (84*) as the pair combined for a third-wicket partnership of 163 runs to give the island nation an emphatic eight-wicket win.

Sri Lanka had earlier won the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban by one wicket.

As a result of their defeat, South Africa have dropped from second to third in the ICC Test team rankings, behind India and New Zealand, while Sri Lanka remain sixth.

The sides will next do battle in a five-match ODI series, before Sri Lanka conclude their tour with a three-match T20 series.

 

[Hasan123]

West Indies have a good record against England at h9me. Sri Lanka have never won in South Africa and had players out!

Sri Lanka win for me.

 

[Ab Fan]

SL by far. WI won at home. Also, for SL, it was alien conditions completely and not just away from home.

 

[jeetu]

Since 2018 , Series Stats
[table=width: 500, class: grid, align: center]
[tr][td]Start Date [/td][td]Winner [/td][td]Loser [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]4-Jan-18 [/td][td]Australia [/td][td]England [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]5-Jan-18 [/td][td]South Africa [/td][td]India [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]31-Jan-18 [/td][td]Sri Lanka [/td][td]Bangladesh [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]1-Mar-18 [/td][td]South Africa [/td][td]Australia [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]22-Mar-18 [/td][td]New Zealand [/td][td]England [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]11-May-18 [/td][td]Pakistan [/td][td]Ireland [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]24-May-18 [/td][td]drawn [/td][td]drawn [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]6-Jun-18 [/td][td]drawn [/td][td]drawn [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]14-Jun-18 [/td][td]India [/td][td]Afghanistan [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]4-Jul-18 [/td][td]West Indies [/td][td]Bangladesh [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]12-Jul-18 [/td][td]Sri Lanka [/td][td]South Africa [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]1-Aug-18 [/td][td]England [/td][td]India [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]4-Oct-18 [/td][td]India [/td][td]West Indies [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]7-Oct-18 [/td][td]Pakistan [/td][td]Australia [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-Nov-18 [/td][td]drawn [/td][td]drawn [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]6-Nov-18 [/td][td]England [/td][td]Sri Lanka [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]16-Nov-18 [/td][td]New Zealand [/td][td]Pakistan [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]22-Nov-18 [/td][td]Bangladesh [/td][td]West Indies [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]6-Dec-18 [/td][td]India [/td][td]Australia [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]15-Dec-18 [/td][td]New Zealand [/td][td]Sri Lanka [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]26-Dec-18 [/td][td]South Africa [/td][td]Pakistan [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]23-Jan-19 [/td][td]West Indies [/td][td]England [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]24-Jan-19 [/td][td]Australia [/td][td]Sri Lanka [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]13-Feb-19 [/td][td]Sri Lanka [/td][td]South Africa [/td][/tr]
[/table]

[table=width: 500, class: grid, align: center]
[tr][td]Team [/td][td]Total [/td][td]Won [/td][td]Lost [/td][td]Draw [/td][td]WinPer [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]New Zealand [/td][td]3 [/td][td]3 [/td][td]0 [/td][td]0 [/td][td]100.00 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]India [/td][td]5 [/td][td]3 [/td][td]2 [/td][td]0 [/td][td]60.00 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]South Africa [/td][td]5 [/td][td]3 [/td][td]2 [/td][td]0 [/td][td]60.00 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Sri Lanka [/td][td]7 [/td][td]3 [/td][td]3 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]42.86 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]West Indies [/td][td]5 [/td][td]2 [/td][td]2 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]40.00 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pakistan [/td][td]5 [/td][td]2 [/td][td]2 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]40.00 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Australia [/td][td]5 [/td][td]2 [/td][td]3 [/td][td]0 [/td][td]40.00 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]England [/td][td]6 [/td][td]2 [/td][td]3 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]33.33 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Bangladesh [/td][td]4 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]2 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]25.00 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Afghanistan [/td][td]1 [/td][td]0 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]0 [/td][td]0.00 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Ireland [/td][td]1 [/td][td]0 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]0 [/td][td]0.00 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Zimbabwe [/td][td]1 [/td][td]0 [/td][td]0 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]0.00 [/td][/tr]
[/table]

 

[Justcrazy]

Lanka , without a shade of doubt

 

[Green Patriot]

Has to be Sri Lanka.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Easily SL test series win was better. Not only they had several no name players in their ranks, but they defeated SA in SA, something unthinkable for subcon teams.

Indeed.

 

[QalandarFan]

Sri Lanka, especially considering they were worse than even Pakistan and Pakistan just got drubbed in SA. Although I do think it’s unfair that they got to play at PE and Durban, whereas we got to play in the 3 bounciest pitches in the world. Don’t think we still would’ve won the series but nevertheless this has been an amazing performance by SL. Even after the 1st test I expected them to lose the next test badly against SA. with that bowling attack was truly special.

 

[QalandarFan]

https://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Proteas/proteas-embarrassed-as-sri-lanka-make-history-20190223

Proteas embarrassed as Sri Lanka make history

Cape Town - Minnows Sri Lanka stunned not only the Proteas, but the cricketing world, when they made history in clinching a 2-0 Test series victory over South Africa in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

WATCH: AB de Villiers hits the most outrageous 6 you have ever seen!

Never before had a subcontinent team - India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka - claimed a series win on South African shores.

Until now.

History as it happened: South Africa v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test

The list of Test cricketing superstars to have tried, but failed include household names like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Muttiah Muralitharan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Virat Kohli, among others.

However, the Sri Lankan class of 2019, captained by little-known Dimuth Karunaratne, have forever etched their names into cricketing folklore.

After losing the toss at St George's Park and being asked to bowl, Sri Lanka skittled the Proteas for 222.

Fairing even worse in their first knock, Sri Lanka conceded a 68-run lead as South Africa took to the crease for their second innings, only to succumb for a paltry 128, leaving Sri Lanka a target of 197 for victory.

Starting Saturday's Day 3 requiring a further 137 runs for the victory with eight wickets in hand, Sri Lanka coasted to their target thanks to heroic innings' from Oshada Fernando (75*) and Kusal Mendis (84*) as the pair combined for a third-wicket partnership of 163 runs to give the island nation an emphatic eight-wicket win.

Sri Lanka had earlier won the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban by one wicket.

As a result of their defeat, South Africa have dropped from second to third in the ICC Test team rankings, behind India and New Zealand, while Sri Lanka remain sixth.

The sides will next do battle in a five-match ODI series, before Sri Lanka conclude their tour with a three-match T20 series.

3-4 bad years after some elite players retire and you become minnows now?

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Of course SL, however SL is now either boom or bust. Not sure how a team can be so inconsistent in test cricket.

 

[Abdul Moiz]

Both.

 

[Abdullah]

SL is the biggest upset in test cricket history as far as I'm concerned. They just lost 3-0 to England at home and suffered humongous losses Vs NZ and Australia.
Then they turn around and do this
Lakmal is there best bowler who still averages 40 after 9 years of cricket

 

[sunnyside]

The Sri Lankan victory was totally unexpected, everyone excepted SL to be blown away in 2-3 days in each test. Therefore, SLvSA is much more significant. The Indians are much better batting unit and they were expected to give the Aussies a serious challenge, given that they were a much depleted batting unit. But a win is win.. so well done India, very proud of our brown brothers..