By Brian Thomas
Avishka Fernando’s ton helps Sri Lanka to reach 300
The South African fight back to get to the target of 301 set by Sri Lanka was breath taking to state the least. They played fascinating cricket and were never out of contention.
After the dismissal of opener Janneman Malan for 23 with the total on 57 for 1 wicket in 9.3 overs, both Markram and skipper Temba Bavuma played the home side spin attack with ease.
The pair at the end of 30 overs were well on their way on 161 runs for 1 wicket, until Bavuma had to retire with an unfortunate injury to his wrist when he was hit by a through when completing his second run. He had to leave the field because he just could not grip the bat.
Aiden Markram kept the home fires burning when he stuck five fours and 4 massive sixes, whist the Sri Lankans were running out of ideas as to how they could stop the flow of runs.
Wanindu Hasaranga, who trapped opener Marlon with a googly to get the initial break through with the score on 57 in 9.3 overs, took an absolute blinder of a catch at deep mid-wicket off Praveen Jayawickrema to see the back of Markram for 96 , just 4 runs short of a well-deserved century for 96 , and the tide changed.
With the second wicket falling on 166 in the 32nd over the home team, using their quartet of spinners in Hasaranga , Jayawickrema Akila Dhananjaya and Dhananjaya de Silva restricted the run flow.
Temba Bavuma retired on 38, Markram back in the hutch for 96, hence the rebuilding process took abit of toll on Van Der Dussen and kyle Verreynne. Kyle did well to rotate the strike, but he got trapped Lbw on 12 off Akila Dhananjaya and South Africa lost their 3rd Wicket on 209, and at the completion of the 40th over they were even steven on 210 for 3 wickets, 101 to win from the last 10 overs with 7 wickets in the bank.
Van Der Dussen made a vallien effort by scoring his 9th half century. He swept the spinners on length, his reverse sweeps were great to watch, and South Africa were back in the hunt.
Van der Dussen unfortunately threw his wicket trying to execute another reverse sweep off Akila Dhananjaya with his score on 58, and the protease lost their 5th wicket on 259.
Hasaranga who went for 13 runs in his penultimate over came back strongly in his final over just gave away 3 runs and put Sri Lanka on track yet again.
Chamika Karunaratne was given the responsibility of bowling the 48th over with South Africa needing 32 runs.
He delivered with a first ball wicket, and then the writing of the protease not pulling through was inevitable.
Rabada had some fun with an exciting 13 not out, keeper ran himself out for 36 , and South Africa ended the days play on 286 for 6 Wickets.
Jayawickrema took 2 for 47, Hasaranga a touch expensive by his standards 1 for 52 and Akila Dhananjaya 2 for 65 got among the 4th colum.
Great contest. Well done both teams one had to win, hence this game went Sri Lankan way
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