By Brian Thomas
Keshev Maharaj the South African skipper who won the toss and elected to bat first was pleased with his teams batting performance when they 163 for 5 wickets, with Aidian Markram guiding his side to a well-manufactured innings of 48. Reeza Hendricks made 38, Quinton de Kock 36, but importantly David Miller who made 26 at the back end of the Innings helped the visitors to this winning target.
Sri Lanka in pursuit of 164, started losing their way pretty early, thanks to Maharaj who exhibited classical spin bowling which paved the way for the big win.
In form opener, Avishka Fernando, unfortunately, got run out at the edge of the power play overs for 11 with the score on 34.
Bhanuka Rajapaksha , batting at number 3, scored his third consecutive duck, by going across to a Maharaj arm delivery and was simply sitting ducks with his head going nowhere.
It was then the beginning of Sri Lanka’s down trod, with 34 runs on the board for 2 wickets in 6 overs.
Charith Asalanka batting at three was sadly off colour. Scoreboard pressure, with no support from the number 3 batsman out for another duck took its toll on the young left-hander.
He departed for 6 unconvincing runs trying a slog sweep off Dwain Pretourouse, only to be caught at deep mid-wicket by Shamsi, with Sri Lanka on 68.
Dinesh Chandimal was very impressive. Batted with authority and purpose, in keeping the hopes alive for the home team. However, the rest of the batsmen were given marching orders by the South Africans
Dasun Shanaka yorked himself off a supper slow arm ball by Bjon Fortuin for 16 runs with the score on 94, with that Sri Lanka lost her 5th wicket well into the 15th over.
Hasaranga did not disturb the scorers caught by Shamsi in his favourite dismissal position of long on to the bowling of Pretourouse.
With Sri Lanka on the brink of defeat on 102 for 5 wickets in the 17th over Anrich Nortje dismissed Dhananjaya de Silva bowled neck and crop off a quicker delivery bowled at 147 km for just 1 run, and the home team slumped to 104 for 6 Wickets.
Chandimal was the only Sri Lankan batsman, who looked impressive. Guess he has now cemented his place in this side with his 66 unbeaten runs in 58 balls.
Chamika Karunaratne had two mighty hits in his 20 unbeaten runs and nailed Rabada for a 96 meter six. That was a great sight for the Sri Lankan hutch.
135 for 6 and a loss by 28 runs in this format is defined as a comprehensive and clinical victory. Well played South Africa.
Sri Lanka lost the plot when they leaked 30 runs in the 17th and 18th over, hence depth bowling has to be addressed. The number 3 slot looks like a missing link. finally getting strike bowler Theekshana to bowl with the new ball is not the way, quote the experts.
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