South Africa won by 109 runs to clinch series 2 nil as Sri Lanka lost 5 wickets for 33 runs.

By Brian Thomas.
The overnight score of 205 for 5 wickets and trailing by 148 runs to square the series was not an impossible task since 28 overs had to be bowled with the old ball by the South Africans. Dhananjaya de Silva on 39 , Kusal Mendis, too unbeaten on 39, had built a partnership of 83 runs , hence taking into consideration the experience the two right-handers have speculation was Sri Lanka would bat the session out bring down the remainder of the target of the overnight target of 148 to double digits by lunch and then play the new ball due with obviously a much lesser target which is manageble. Frankly, all plans turned out sour this morning for Sri Lanka.

Kusal Mendis batting on 46 with Sri Lankan total on 219 was undone by a Keshav Mahraj delivery that gripped and spun away from the righ hander as he reached at it mainly due to his hight limitations for Aiden Markram to take a splendid catch at first slip. Flood gates opened because Dhananjaya de Silva was not leaving the fourth stump deliveries by Kagisgo Rabada , and this indicated early signs of the Sri Lankan skipper not comfortable with the line and length he was tested with by the quality of South African seam genius Rabada. He soon fell after getting to his maiden 50 in this series with Sri Lanka on 225 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. The writing was on the wall.

Maharaj had his fourth scalp with a loose delivery, which Jayasuriya could not punch past man of the series the South African skipper who took the gifted catch at short extra cover with the visitors packing their bags for the long journey back home as the 8th wicket fell for 233 runs. Rest was history as South Africa cleaned up the tail, and the island nation was bowled out for an appaling 238 runs, losing 5 wickets for 33 runs , mid way of the first session.

A comprehensive win by 109 runs by South Africa, the end result. Keshav Mahraj, a five wickets haul for 76 runs , Rabada 2 for 76 , Patterson 2 for 33, and Marco Jansen 1 for 54 got their figures against the wickets column Patterson adjudicated as man of the match for his 7 wickets haul Temba Bavuma Man of the Series for contribution with the bat with 3 half centuries and a century in 4 innings. Great reading from a South African perspective. South won the series and is now the leader of the WTC pack with one air tickets to England for summer if 2025 on the cards if they can beat Pakistan in the two match test series coming up on boxing day. Sri Lanka, sadly, out of the equation for the WTC final, played good cricket, and showed signs of being competitive. However, to reach excellence, consistency is a vital ingredient.

Look forward to keeping our readers updated with batting and bowling averages of the Sri Lankan team for those who are analysing statistics, which I do. From George’s Park, it’s goodbye as the Easterly breeze reminds us of good cheer and gifts this festive season, especially for the underprivileged.