| 0.0 : Ever seen boxers exchanging punches inside the ring? This tour of Sri Lanka for South Africa has been something similar. The hosts dominated the Test series thoroughly while the Proteas roared back to win three on the bounce to seal the ODI series, before losing some steam and losing the next two. So, it's all about the bragging rights in this one-off T20I and both teams will be eyeing a strong finish. Hello and welcome everyone for this contest in Colombo. There is a slight drizzle in the air b |
| Kepler Wessels doing the pitch report says that there is a slight covering of grass on the pitch. He adds that the spinners will have a say on this surface. Continues saying that the team batting second here has won a majority of the games. Sums it up by saying that it is a good batting pitch but reckons it is a bit on the slower side. |
| Toss - Up goes the coin, JP Duminy calls it correctly and SOUTH AFRICA WILL BAT! |
| South Africa skipper JP Duminy says that they will want to bat first. Informs about the three changes from the last ODI - Maharaj, Mulder and Markram make way for Ngidi, Rabada and Shamsi. Adds that they have shown a positive mindset and he hopes to have the same today. |
| Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews is not too bothered about bowling first. Feels the conditions won't change much. Mentions that they are having a 7-4 combination which includes a couple of spinners and all-rounders. Hopes that his boys will turn up and they have a good game. |
| Here we are. The players and the umpires are making their way out in the middle. They stand in attention for the national anthem. |
| We are ready to get under way. The players have taken their position. Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla will open for the visitors while Kasun Rajitha will have the first go with the new ball. |
| 0.1 : K Rajitha to de Kock, FOUR! Streaky! Comes in from over the wicket and lands it on a good length on that off pole line. De Kock has a poke at it from the crease but gets an inside edge which goes over the leg stump and away to the fine leg fence. Stroke of luck to begin with. |
| 0.2 : K Rajitha to de Kock, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for de Kock. On a fuller length this time more on the leg side. De Kock flicks it and finds the gap through wide mid on. Thisara Perera there dives but cannot stop it. Boundary. |
| 0.3 : K Rajitha to de Kock, Stays inside his crease and taps the ball to mid on. |
| 0.4 : K Rajitha to de Kock, FOUR! De Kock is enjoying his time in the middle. This one is slightly pitched up outside off, de Kock drives it uppishly through mid off for another boundary. Already three boundaries in four balls. |
| 0.5 : K Rajitha to de Kock, Straighter in line, de Kock works it in front of square leg and crosses. |
| 0.6 : K Rajitha to H Amla, Dot ball to end but still 13 off the over. Bowls this on a good length in line of the stump, Amla hits it back towards the bowler. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva will bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : de Silva to de Kock, Bowls it little short outside off, de Kock cuts it square of the wicket to get off strike. |
| 1.2 : de Silva to de Kock, Gets to the pitch of the ball and hit it to the on side to rotate strike. |
| 1.3 : de Silva to H Amla, Trouble! But no damage done. A tossed up ball on the off side. Amla drives it to mid off and sets off for the run after responding to his partner's call. Hashim then sends de Kock back. Perera at mid off collets the ball and has a shy at the non-striker's end. De Kock had given up, had Thisara hit, the SA keeper was a goner. Perhaps, Dhananjaya should have stood behind the stumps and collected the ball. |
| 1.4 : de Silva to H Amla, HA has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 1.5 : de Silva to H Amla, OUT! Another duck for Amla. His poor form continues and the hosts get an early wicket. Spin does the trick once again. This one was like a carom ball, flicked with his fingers. He pitches it bit short outside off. Amla is early into his short and looks to loft it over covers. He ends by giving a simple catch to Shananka. |
| Reeza Hendricks is in at no.3. |
| 1.6 : de Silva to R Hendricks, Tossed up in line of the stumps, well blocked. |
| Akila Dananjaya into the attack. Fresh from a 6-wicket haul. Will he be the tormentor again tonight? |
| 2.1 : A Dananjaya to de Kock, Floated full ball on middle and off, de Kock pushes it with gentle hands to covers and pinches a single. Movement near the boundary line as the groundsmen are seen getting ready with the covers. |
| 2.2 : A Dananjaya to R Hendricks, An off spinner around off, Hendricks keeps it out wide of mid on and crosses. |
| 2.3 : A Dananjaya to de Kock, Almost sneaks through! A slider this time from 'round the wicket. He lands it around off and it keeps on skidding with the angle. De Kock is deep inside the crease as he attempts to keep it out. Gets an inside edge and it rolls on the leg side. They cross. |
| 2.4 : A Dananjaya to R Hendricks, Flatter and shorter on off, it's been punched back to the bowler. |
| 2.5 : A Dananjaya to R Hendricks, Plays this full ball with the turn but finds the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 2.6 : A Dananjaya to R Hendricks, This time Hendricks finds the gap after flicking it off his pads. It travels to deep mid-wicket and they cross. 4 from Dananjaya's first over, more importantly for South Africa, zero wicket. He can bowl only 18 more balls at them. |
| 3.1 : de Silva to R Hendricks, No ball! What was that? Slipped from his hand maybe. Serves a high full toss on the leg side, Reeza bunts it down. Free Hit coming up! |
| de Silva to R Hendricks, SIX! They have got the maximum out of it! Poor ball from de Silva. Bowls a short ball on middle and leg. Hendricks rocks back and sends it over mid-wicket to the second tire. |
| 3.2 : de Silva to R Hendricks, Another short ball outside off, it has been cut away in front of square for a run. |
| 3.3 : de Silva to de Kock, FOUR! Deft! A slower ball outside off, de Kok gets in position early and reverse sweeps this fine to the third man fence. Delicate! |
| A run out appeal has been taken up. De Kock looks to be struggling. |
| 3.4 : de Silva to de Kock, OUT! De Kock landed himself in trouble and that brings his downfall. De Silva darts this on the pads of de Kock who misses his sweep. The ball hits his pads and goes towards the short fine leg fielder, Sandakan. The players appeal for LBW but the umpire stays put. De Kock was ball watching and didn't respond to his partner's call. His late acceleration was not enough as Sandakan's throw at the non-striker's end was a good one. Dhananjaya did the rest. The umpire took it |
| JP Duminy is the new man in. |
| 3.5 : de Silva to R Hendricks, The batsman has driven it through mid on. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 3.6 : de Silva to JP Duminy, Stays back and defends this from the crease. |
| 4.1 : K Rajitha to R Hendricks, FOUR! Shot! A back of a length ball around off, Hendricks stays inside his crease and punches it off his back foot in the gap through covers. The ball touches the rope. |
| 4.2 : K Rajitha to R Hendricks, FOUR! Too easy. Rajitha darts this down the leg side. Hendricks just helps it on it's way towards the fine leg region. Back-to-back boundaries for the visitors. |
| 4.3 : K Rajitha to R Hendricks, Reeza drives this through the covers. They pick up a single. |
| 4.4 : K Rajitha to JP Duminy, Length ball outside off, Duminy cuts it to the man at point. |
| 4.5 : K Rajitha to JP Duminy, Fuller ball on the pads of JP who flicks it away towards square leg for one. |
| 4.6 : K Rajitha to R Hendricks, Leg bye. Another fuller ball on the leg side. Hendricks misses his flick and hits rapped on the pads. The ball rolls to the on side as they steal the leg bye. 11 off the over, a good one for the away side. |
| Akila Dananjaya is back on. |
| 5.1 : A Dananjaya to R Hendricks, Flighted full ball on middle, it's knocked down back past the bowler to mid on. Still a dot ball. |
| 5.2 : A Dananjaya to R Hendricks, Fullish and flatter on off, it's pushed back without much timing to the bowler. |
| 5.3 : A Dananjaya to R Hendricks, OUT! Great captaincy by Mathews to give one more over to Akila inside the Powerplay. A leg break this time by the mystery bowler. Definitely not picked by Reeza who sits down to play the slog sweep. Fails to connect as it turns away ever so slightly from around off to beat his bat and hit the off stump. South Africa in big trouble, three down inside first 6 overs. |
| Heinrich Klaasen is in next. |
| 5.4 : A Dananjaya to H Klaasen, Audacious first up. Tries playing the reverse sweep, makes good connection too but finds the point fielder. |
| 5.5 : A Dananjaya to H Klaasen, SIX! High and handsome! That has gone the distance. Dananjaya tosses it up and serves it in line of the stumps, Klaasen wears his skates to take it on the full and dispatches it over long on for a biggie. He is a good player of spin as we saw during India's tour to South Africa where he took on Chahal and Kuldeep. The tourists need him to come good tonight. |
| 5.6 : A Dananjaya to H Klaasen, Skidding down from around middle, Klaasen doesn't have much idea about it. Picks it very late, from the surface, tries to flick but misses and wears it on his pads. End of the Powerplay, South Africa have fetched 48 runs from it but for the loss of three top order wickets. |
| Lakshan Sandakan is into the attack. |
| 6.1 : L Sandakan to JP Duminy, Darts this one short on the leg side. Duminy with no feet movement punches it to mid on. |
| 6.2 : L Sandakan to JP Duminy, Loopy ball again on the legs of Duminy. This time JP uses his feet, flicks it through square leg for one. |
| 6.3 : L Sandakan to H Klaasen, Short ball outside off, Klaasen makes room and reaches for it. Looks to cut it away but the ball hits the bottom of the bat and goes back to the bowler. |
| 6.4 : L Sandakan to H Klaasen, FOUR! Shot! Just faced five balls and brings out the broom again. Gets low and sweeps this ball in front of square. The ball runs away to the square leg fence. |
| 6.5 : L Sandakan to H Klaasen, Hangs back and pulls this in the gap through mid-wicket for just a single. |
| 6.6 : L Sandakan to JP Duminy, Another short ball on the leg side, Duminy goes back and pushes this ball to mid on. |
| Oh dear! The fear has come true. Rain has come down and play has been halted for now. Looks like a passing shower. We hope play resumes ASAP. |
| Good news! Just a passing shower! The covers are off and we are ready to get underway. The South African batters come out and Sri Lanka huddle up once again. This small stoppage should help the visitors as the wet ball will be difficult to grip now. Mathews has gone to Dhananjaya de Silva to bowl after the break. |
| 7.1 : de Silva to H Klaasen, Serves this full on the legs, Klaasen hits it back to the bowler. |
| 7.2 : de Silva to H Klaasen, Another quick one in line of the stumps, Klaasen can only drive it back to the bowler. |
| 7.3 : de Silva to H Klaasen, Slower one this time on the off side, Klaasen punches it to long off and gets to the other end. |
| 7.4 : de Silva to JP Duminy, JP rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total. |
| 7.5 : de Silva to H Klaasen, Off spinner on the leg side, Klaasen flicks it towards square leg for one more. |
| Review for LBW! Looks quite adjacent. Let's see... |
| 7.6 : de Silva to JP Duminy, OUT! Three reds and the South African skipper has to walk back. A very good review from the fielding side and they get a big wicket. A slider from Akila on middle and leg. Duminy looks to reverse sweep this. Gets not get behind the ball and can't put bat to ball. The goes and wraps him on the pads. A huge appeal from the players but the umpire is not interested. They have a chat and Mathews takes it up. Replays show that the bat didn't touch the ball and the ball woul |
| David Miller is the new man in. |
| 8.1 : L Sandakan to H Klaasen, Goes forward and drives this through covers for one. |
| 8.2 : L Sandakan to D Miller, Played to the point region by Miller. |
| 8.3 : L Sandakan to D Miller, Slower ball outside off, driven to covers by Miller to get to the other end. |
| 8.4 : L Sandakan to H Klaasen, Tosses this one up on middle and leg. Klaasen sweeps this through square leg to rotate strike. |
| 8.5 : L Sandakan to D Miller, FOUR! This time Miller brings out the sweep and gets a boundary for it. Sandakan gives this air on the leg stump, Miller sweeps it in front of square all the way to the fence. |
| 8.6 : L Sandakan to D Miller, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 9.1 : de Silva to H Klaasen, Stands tall and drives it along the turf for a single. |
| 9.2 : de Silva to D Miller, David has pushed it to the cover region. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 9.3 : de Silva to H Klaasen, Uses his feet and gets to the pitch of the ball. Turns his bat towards the leg side and changes ends. |
| 9.4 : de Silva to D Miller, Catch it is the call but it is very far from the fielder. Slower ball around off, Miller lofts it uppishly to the long off fielder for one. |
| 9.5 : de Silva to H Klaasen, Gets in position early and reverse sweeps this towards the gully region for one more. |
| 9.6 : de Silva to D Miller, Stays inside the crease and taps it in front of him. |
| 10.1 : L Sandakan to H Klaasen, OUT! Another one goes down! Half the batting side is back in the hut and they are digging a hole for themselves. Sandakan drags this one outside off. Klaasen reaches for it and looks to slice this one. Gets a top edge to it and the ball balloons towards point. Kusal Mendis gets under the ball and makes no mistake. |
| 0.0 : Andile Phehlukwayo walks out to the middle. |
| 10.2 : L Sandakan to A Phehlukwayo, Tossed up ball outside off, Andile leaves it alone. |
| 10.3 : L Sandakan to A Phehlukwayo, Another sweep but no connection. Slower ball in line of the stumps, Andile looks to sweep it but the ball hits the bottom of the bat and just misses the stumps. |
| 10.4 : L Sandakan to A Phehlukwayo, OUT! Bowled behind his legs! Brilliant from Sri Lanka. And abysmal cricket from South Africa. Loopy ball on middle and leg. Phehlukwayo looks to reverse sweep this ball to the off side. He cannot make contact with the ball and gets hit on the pads. The players appeal and the umpire takes no time in raising his finger. |
| Kagiso Rabada is the new man in. |
| 10.5 : L Sandakan to K Rabada, Four Leg byes! Sharp turn from Sandakan. It pitches on off and spins into the batter. Rabada tries working it fine but the ball hits his thigh pad and runs to the fine leg fence. |
| Another LBW review! Looks plump. |
| 10.6 : L Sandakan to K Rabada, OUT lbw b Lakshan Sandakan. South Africa have lost their seventh wicket. |
| Junior Dala is the new batsman in. |
| 11.1 : A Dananjaya to D Miller, Goes down on one knee and slog sweeps it over the line. Not a proper connection and it falls in front of the fielder in the deep at mid-wicket. A single taken. |
| 11.2 : A Dananjaya to J Dala, Turning back in sharply from around off, Dala tries playing from the back foot but misses and is hit on the pads. |
| 11.3 : A Dananjaya to J Dala, Wide! Big spin again, down the leg side this time. Dala lacks the talent to pick bat to ball and hence misses. The keeper collects it well. |
| A Dananjaya to J Dala, Oohhh...that nearly kissed the off stump. Akila with the off spinner once again. Lands it outside off and gets it to curl back into the batsman. Dana tries pushing it through but it beats the inside edge of his bat and goes over the off stump. Chandimal fumbles this time and they steal a bye. |
| 11.4 : A Dananjaya to D Miller, Not picking Dananjaya. Turning away from the left-hander, Miller hangs back, has no idea which way it will spin. Hangs his bat out and is beaten. Top class bowling. |
| 11.5 : A Dananjaya to D Miller, Fuller this time and Miller is happy to play the sweep shot. Places it to deep mid-wicket and crosses. |
| 11.6 : A Dananjaya to J Dala, A low full toss this time, Dala drives it down to long off and takes a single. |
| 12.1 : L Sandakan to J Dala, Sandakan spins this away from the right-hander, from over the wicket. Dala sticks back to play at it but misses. |
| 12.2 : L Sandakan to J Dala, Clueless. Somehow, only somehow, Dala manages to flick it from the inner half of the bat. It goes past the right side of the fielder standing in front of square leg. A single taken. |
| 12.3 : L Sandakan to D Miller, FOUR! Miller will play his way. A bit risky but effective. The length is full enough for David to play the reverse sweep. Makes good connection and more importantly manages to beat the short third man fielder. A boundary results. |
| 12.4 : L Sandakan to D Miller, Quicker one on off, a mistimed punch back to the bowler. |
| 12.5 : L Sandakan to D Miller, Goes down for a slog sweep over mid-wicket but instead gets an inside edge which rolls through square leg for a single. |
| 12.6 : L Sandakan to J Dala, Spinning away from the batsman, on the shorter side, Dala goes for the square cut but it takes the bottom edge of the bat. Rolls towards covers. Lakshan Sandakan is done for the night and he has done the damage, 4-1-19-3! |
| 13.1 : A Dananjaya to D Miller, Short and outside off, punched to covers. |
| 13.2 : A Dananjaya to D Miller, Skidding back into the batsman, Miller flicks it off his pads to short fine leg, turns down the single. |
| 13.3 : A Dananjaya to D Miller, OUT! And Miller falls in front of mighty Akila. South Africa's last hope tries playing an almighty slog sweep over the leg side. It's an off spinner and Miller has not accounted for the spin. As a result, it takes the top edge, balloons in the air towards short mid-wicket and Chandimal calls for it. Runs across towards the chance and takes the skier safely. Hard to see South Africa lasting their full quote of 20 overs now. |
| Lungi Ngidi is the number 10 batsman. |
| 13.4 : A Dananjaya to J Dala, Appeal for an lbw straightaway! Not given. Sharp spin from outside off, Dala fails to pick, like his other teammates who bat in the top order. Fails to put bat on ball and is rapped on the pads. The appeal is not entertained as it's spinning too much and is a bit too high as well. |
| 13.5 : A Dananjaya to J Dala, Fuller and outside off, driven back to the bowler. |
| 13.6 : A Dananjaya to J Dala, Tossed up ball on off, forced down to long on for one. Dananjaya is done for the night as well, 4-0-15-2, another top class spell. |
| Isuru Udana is into the attack. |
| 14.1 : I Udana to J Dala, Short and wide outside off, cut through point for a single. |
| 14.2 : I Udana to L Ngidi, Goes on the back foot and punches it to sweeper cover for one. |
| 14.3 : I Udana to J Dala, Bouncer, Dala tries hooking it but misses. |
| 14.4 : I Udana to J Dala, Shortish and outside off, steered to deep point for a run. |
| 14.5 : I Udana to L Ngidi, Driven through mid on by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 14.6 : I Udana to J Dala, Slower one around off, Dala covers the line and blocks it. |
| Kasun Rajitha returns. |
| 15.1 : K Rajitha to L Ngidi, On middle and leg, flicked in front of square leg for a single. |
| 15.2 : K Rajitha to J Dala, Shortish and skidding in from around off, Ngidi stays back to keep it out but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It rolls to point and they cross. |
| 15.3 : K Rajitha to L Ngidi, Played to the point region by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 15.4 : K Rajitha to J Dala, Drops it short and wide outside off, Dala stays back and guides it to third man for a run. Looking at ease against the pacers. |
| 15.5 : K Rajitha to L Ngidi, Short again, this time off pace, Ngidi mistimes his square cut to point. |
| 15.6 : K Rajitha to L Ngidi, OUT! Number 9 goes down and South Africa are 7 short of the 100-run mark. Rajitha puts his bowling arsenal on display. Hurls in a knuckle delivery. On a length around off and angling in, Ngidi is quite early into his heave across the line and edges it behind to Chandimal. He is not dropping those. |
| Tabraiz Shamsi is the last batsman. |
| 16.1 : I Udana to J Dala, FOUR! Out of nowhere. Shortish and around off, Dala makes room before running down the track and slaps it over covers for a boundary. |
| 16.2 : I Udana to J Dala, A low full toss on off, it's pushed down towards mid off for a quick single. |
| 16.3 : I Udana to T Shamsi, Good length ball outside off, shaping away a bit, Shamsi plays inside the line and misses. |
| 16.4 : I Udana to T Shamsi, Udana speeds in from 'round the wicket and angles in a back of a length delivery in line of the stumps. Shamsi rocks back to play at it with a straight bat. Tries punching or lofting probably down the ground but gets a thick outside edge behind. Chandimal grabs his third catch of the night. SOUTH AFRICA ARE ALL OUT FOR 98! |
| South Africa's innings with the bat is over in the blink of an eye. An abject performance yet again. Found wanting in front of the Sri Lankan spinners and were completely at sea. The spin trio of Dhananjaya, Dananjaya and Sandakan hunted down 7 wickets and made a full mockery of the Protea batting. |
| Electing to bat, South Africa got off to a flying start in the first over with Quinton de Kock hitting three boundaries off Kasun Rajitha. Sri Lanka started with the spin of Dhananjaya de Silva from one end and he didn't disappoint. Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, all three played 16 balls each, looked to dominate the spinners, but flopped. Probably, they should have tried to play them out safely. Apart from that, there wasn't much fight as the tourists got bundled out for th |
| Surely, it ain't a 98 all out pitch. Do South Africa have the class in their bowling to defend it? We highly doubt. But Twenty20 is a format of great uncertainties. Let's see what happens in the chase. Do join us in a short while. |
| 0.0 : We are back for the chase. Out come the openers Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis. The former will be on strike and he will face Kagiso Rabada. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : K Rabada to K Perera, Off the mark straightaway are Sri Lanka. A good delivery though to begin with by Rabada. Back of a length on off, Perera tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto his body. The ball rolls towards the off side and the batsmen steal a run. |
| 0.2 : K Rabada to K Mendis, Errs in line and bowls it down the leg side, gets good bounce on the delivery. Mendis does well to work it around the corner and get off the mark. |
| 0.3 : K Rabada to K Perera, Uppish but safe! A brace! Back of a length on off, KP stands tall and punches it wide of mid off and runs two. |
| 0.4 : K Rabada to K Perera, OUT! GONE! Rabada strikes and strikes early. Exactly what South Africa needed. This is just ahead of a length on off, Kusal Perera just like he does, stands tall and tries to flat-bat it over mid on. He hits it hard but does not get the desired elevation. Shamsi at that position takes a sharp catch. Pin-drop silence in the stadium as Perera walks back cheaply. |
| Dinesh Chandimal is the next man in. |
| 0.5 : K Rabada to D Chandimal, NO BALL! Rabada oversteps in search of extra pace. He lands it on a length around off, Chandimal guides it down to third man and gets to the other end. Free Hit coming up. |
| K Rabada to K Mendis, Nothing of the Free Hit! Another pacey bumper on middle, Mendis tries to pull but misses it. He was beaten by pace there. |
| Have South Africa got another? Looks close as they have gone for a review for an LBW. Kusal Mendis is the man in question. |
| 0.6 : K Rabada to K Mendis, OUT! Three reds and Mendis has been given his marching orders. Rabada is breathing fire out there. South Africa can now believe as they have both the openers back in the hut in the first over itself. Brilliant by Rabada, he follows the bumper with a corker of a yorker on middle. Mendis is a little too late to get his bat down and is struck on the pads. The players appeal but the umpire does not agree. Rabada feels it is 50-50 but Duminy goes for the review. Replays rol |
| Lungi Ngidi to bowl from the other end. Also, Dhananjaya de Silva walks into the middle next. |
| 1.1 : L Ngidi to D Chandimal, Short and well wide outside off, Chandimal looks to reach out to it but the away movement beats him. |
| 1.2 : L Ngidi to D Chandimal, Edged but safe! Full around off and swinging away late, Chandimal drives away from his body and gets a thick edge through the vacant backward point position. Down to third man and that's a single. |
| 1.3 : L Ngidi to de Silva, Cut in half! Ripper from Lungi. Brings this one back in and takes de Silva by surprise. He tries to put bat on ball but it goes right through the gate. There's a loud shout made as the ball goes past the batsman, but the umpire turns it down. Rightly so too, the noise was of the ball hitting the flap of the pad. |
| 1.4 : L Ngidi to de Silva, Another shout, but Ngidi instantly pulls out of it. Length delivery angling in on middle and leg, Dhananjaya is caught on the pads as he's beaten for pace. Always sliding down leg though. |
| 1.5 : L Ngidi to de Silva, Another streaky shot. South Africa on top here. Back of a length on off, it goes off the inside edge and past the leg stump for a single. |
| 1.6 : L Ngidi to D Chandimal, Stands tall to this shortish ball and defends it down to end an eventful over from Lungi Ngidi. |
| 2.1 : K Rabada to de Silva, Back of a length on middle, de Silva works it to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 2.2 : K Rabada to de Silva, Up in the air... but safe! Rabada almost has his third. Dhananjaya must consider himself a touch lucky. Another length delivery by Rabada on middle, de Silva tries to flick but gets a top edge which goes high up in the air towards mid-wicket. The fielder there runs towards the ball but can't get it. Only a single taken. |
| 2.3 : K Rabada to D Chandimal, Chandimal works it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end. Looking at the way Rabada is bowling, both the batsmen would like to be at the non-striker's end. |
| 2.4 : K Rabada to de Silva, FOUR! Well, Dhananjaya had no qualms in putting that away. Nicely played! The bouncer on middle, de Silva gets on top of the bounce, rolls his wrists and pulls it through square leg for the first boundary of this innings. |
| 2.5 : K Rabada to de Silva, Goes back to bowling length on off, de Silva defends it onto the ground. |
| 2.6 : K Rabada to de Silva, A single to end a good over for the batting side. Back of a length on middle, de Silva nudges it through mid-wicket and takes one. |
| 3.1 : L Ngidi to de Silva, SIX! Top edge and that has carried all the way. Dhananjaya de Silva is playing with all the luck possible. It is a half-tracker outside off, the batsman tries to drag his pull but gets a thick top edge. It flies over the third man fence for the first maximum of the innings. 78 more needed. |
| 3.2 : L Ngidi to de Silva, A tad fuller than the last delivery. De Silva punches it to covers. |
| 3.3 : L Ngidi to de Silva, Fuller on middle, de Silva works it to mid on. |
| 3.4 : L Ngidi to de Silva, FOUR! Width on offer and Dhananjaya pounces on it. Outside off and on a fuller length. He slaps it through covers and you need not run for those. 10 runs from the over so far. |
| 3.5 : L Ngidi to de Silva, FOUR! Make that 14! Shot of the innings so far. How classy was that? Back of a length on off, once again the slightest of width offered and that was enough. Dhananjaya goes back and punches it through covers and the ball crosses the fence. |
| 3.6 : L Ngidi to de Silva, No width on offer this time as Ngidi attacks the stumps. Dhananjaya defends it. Another good over for Sri Lanka and 21 have come from the last 2. |
| 4.1 : K Rabada to D Chandimal, FOUR! 18 from the last 7 balls and Sri Lanka now seem to be cruising. A gift by Rabada. A full toss on the pads, Chandimal says thank you very much as he flicks it through backward square leg and the ball races away. |
| 4.2 : K Rabada to D Chandimal, On a length, Chandimal drives it on the up to mid off. |
| 4.3 : K Rabada to D Chandimal, Hits the length hard on off, Chandimal guides it to point. |
| 4.4 : K Rabada to D Chandimal, Shorter in length on off, Chandimal pushes it past the diving short cover fielder and takes a single. |
| 4.5 : K Rabada to de Silva, Length ball again on off, de Silva opens the face of the bat and guides it to the gully fielder. That was nicely played, he played it by taking one hand off the handle. |
| 4.6 : K Rabada to de Silva, A brute of a delivery to end the over! A shorter length delivery. It takes off after pitching. Dhananjaya once again does well to take his hands out of the way and let it go to the keeper. |
| Tabraiz Shamsi is into the attack now. |
| 5.1 : T Shamsi to D Chandimal, A false start for him. Down the leg side and the umpire has wided it. |
| T Shamsi to D Chandimal, FOUR! Poor ball and it has been dispatched! It is short and down the leg side. Chandimal is too good to miss out. He goes down on one knee and sweeps it through backward square leg and the ball races away. |
| 5.2 : T Shamsi to D Chandimal, SIX! Top edge but no one in the deep. It would not have mattered either way as the ball has carried over the ropes. Shamsi tosses it up on middle, Chandimal plays the sweep again. This time he gets a top edge which goes over the square leg fence. |
| 5.3 : T Shamsi to D Chandimal, The googly on middle, Chandimal keeps it out. |
| 5.4 : T Shamsi to D Chandimal, Flatter on off, Chandimal having got 11 off the over already, lunges and defends. |
| 5.5 : T Shamsi to D Chandimal, On the shorter side but a bit quicker, Chandimal goes back and punches it down the ground for a run. |
| 5.6 : T Shamsi to de Silva, The batsman manages only a bottom edge on that one. End of a good Powerplay for Sri Lanka. They are 46 for 2. |
| 6.1 : K Rabada to D Chandimal, On the fuller side, Chandimal drives it back past the bowler and takes one. |
| 6.2 : K Rabada to de Silva, On a length around off, de Silva blocks it. |
| 6.3 : K Rabada to de Silva, FOUR! 50 up for the Lankans. The runs needed is also below 50 now. Another top shot by de Silva. On a length and once again the bowler pays the price for providing width. Dhananjaya drives it through covers and a boundary results. |
| 6.4 : K Rabada to de Silva, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 6.5 : K Rabada to de Silva, NO BALL! Rabada oversteps. Trying to bowl too fast maybe. He bowls it on a length, de Silva pushes it back to the bowler. Free Hit coming up. The last time he bowled a dot on the freebie. |
| K Rabada to de Silva, This time too he bowls a dot! Another nicely disguised slower ball outside off. Dhananjaya swings but misses it by a month. |
| 6.6 : K Rabada to de Silva, A brilliant delivery to end his spell. Another pacey bouncer. It passes Dhananjaya even before he realizes. End of a fiery spell by Rabada. 4-0-24-2. |
| Junior Dala is called on to have a go with the ball. |
| 7.1 : J Dala to D Chandimal, On middle, tucked around the corner for a run. |
| 7.2 : J Dala to de Silva, SIX! Runs now coming thick and fast! Another short delivery which has been put away. Short and on the body. Dhananjaya swivels and pulls it over backward square leg fence. 50-run stand is up and the two more or less have sealed the deal for Lanka. |
| 7.3 : J Dala to de Silva, Shortish and outside off, de Silva cuts it hard but finds the fielder at point. |
| 7.4 : J Dala to de Silva, OUT! In the air... taken! Dala provides the breakthrough but one would feel a little too late. A short ball outside off, de Silva tries to drag his pull but only manages to get a top edge which balloons towards mid on. Phehlukwayo there completes a dolly. Dhananjaya walks back dejected as he knows he has thrown it away. Nevertheless, his innings has kept Sri Lanka on the front foot. |
| Skipper Angelo Mathews walks out in the middle. |
| 7.5 : J Dala to D Chandimal, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 7.6 : J Dala to D Chandimal, FOUR! Ends the over in style! Short and outside off, Chandimal cuts it through point and the ball races away. |
| Tabraiz Shamsi is back on. |
| 8.1 : T Shamsi to A Mathews, Floats it up on off, Mathews defends it onto the ground. |
| 8.2 : T Shamsi to A Mathews, With the turn, AM works it to mid-wicket. |
| 8.3 : T Shamsi to A Mathews, OUT! That is a rippaa!!! Klaasen has just plucked that out of thin air. Mathews goes for a duck and South Africa still hanging in there. Shamsi gives it air on the pads and it comes turning back in. Angelo once again tries to work it on the leg side but does not keep it down. It goes uppishly towards short leg where Klaasen dives to his left and with his hand stretched out takes it inches above the ground. He throws the ball in the air in delight as Mathews starts tru |
| Dasun Shanaka to bat next. |
| 8.4 : T Shamsi to D Shanaka, Loopy ball on middle, Shanaka eases it to mid on. |
| 8.5 : T Shamsi to D Shanaka, BEATEN! Shanaka is in all sorts out there. He has no idea which way the ball is turning. It is the googly outside off. Shanaka pokes at it and gets beaten. |
| 8.6 : T Shamsi to D Shanaka, This time it is the leggie from Shamsi, Shanaka tries to push it but gets it off the inner half towards mid-wicket and a run is taken. |
| 9.1 : J Dala to D Shanaka, Length delivery angling in on off, Shanaka taps it down in front of point with an open face. |
| 9.2 : J Dala to D Shanaka, Low full toss on off, it's whipped past short mid-wicket. Unfortunately, the ball goes straight to wide mid on. |
| 9.3 : J Dala to D Shanaka, Banged in short, Dasun ducks and evades. |
| 9.4 : J Dala to D Shanaka, Shortish and banged outside off, it's steered behind point, towards third man for a single. |
| 9.5 : J Dala to D Chandimal, Hangs back and keeps it out with a straight blade. |
| 9.6 : J Dala to D Chandimal, Chandimal uses the angle into him by moving inside the line and flicking it through mid-wicket. A run is collected. |
| 10.1 : T Shamsi to D Chandimal, Well fielded! They need to stop every run possible and Duminy, the skipper leading by example has just stopped three. Chandimal uses his feet and drives it towards mid off. JP there runs to his left and stops it with a dive. |
| 10.2 : T Shamsi to D Shanaka, Floats it up on middle, Shanaka defends it out. |
| 10.3 : T Shamsi to D Shanaka, FOUR! This should release the pressure that was building. Dasun goes down on one knee and sweeps it through backward square leg and the ball races away. |
| 10.4 : T Shamsi to D Shanaka, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! This was played with finesse! The googly outside off, Shanaka waits for it and then guides it through short third man. Rabada gives it a chase but finishes second. |
| 10.5 : T Shamsi to D Shanaka, FOUR! Third boundary in the over and now Sri Lanka need only 20. This is a half-tracker by Shamsi, Shanaka goes back and pulls it over mid-wicket, away from the fielder and into the fence. |
| Review time! An appeal for an LBW has been turned down. Shanaka is the man in question. South Africa go for the review. Missing leg for me. |
| 10.6 : T Shamsi to D Shanaka, NOT OUT! Just as I wrote, missing leg and South Africa lose their sole review. I feel that was a review in desperation. The leggie from Shamsi on middle, it pitches and turns back in sharply. Shanaka goes back and is not able to put bat to it. It hits him on the pads. The players make a huge appeal but the umpire stays put. Duminy goes for the review after a chat with his teammates. Replays roll in and it shows the ball to be going down leg. |
| 11.1 : J Dala to D Chandimal, Fired in on the pads, flicked through the square leg area for a single. |
| 11.2 : J Dala to D Shanaka, Plays this fuller length ball on the up and drives it nicely through the big gap in the covers. A couple added to the total. |
| 11.3 : J Dala to D Shanaka, Full length delivery around off, a mistimed drive from Shanaka finds the man at mid off. |
| 11.4 : J Dala to D Shanaka, Just behind a length, angling in on middle and leg, raps Shanaka high on the pads as he tries to pay across the line. |
| 11.5 : J Dala to D Shanaka, OUT! Still some twist left in this seemingly finished tale? Maybe. Maybe. Short of a length into the body, Shanaka goes across the line with a heave over backward square leg. Unfortunately for him, it goes off the top edge and doesn't have the distance on it as a result. Reeza Hendricks in the deep settles under the ball and takes a safe catch. |
| Thisara 'The Finisher' Perera strides out to join Chandimal. |
| 11.6 : J Dala to D Chandimal, Wide! Banged in short but it's too short, wide called by the umpire. |
| J Dala to D Chandimal, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. Sri Lanka need 16 in 48 balls. |
| 12.1 : T Shamsi to T Perera, A lot of drift in around off, keeps going down with the angle, Thisara stays leg side to defend but is caught on the front pad. |
| 12.2 : T Shamsi to T Perera, OUT! He's bowled 'em! Thisara 'The Finisher' is now Thisara 'The Finished'. What a ball this though. Shasmi tosses this up and bowls the googly around off, Thisara doesn't pick it up as he leaves a huge gap between bat and pad while trying to defend. Right through the gate and the stumps are disturbed. A little too late perhaps for South Africa. Or is it? 16 more needed. |
| Akila Dananjaya to be the new batsman in. |
| 12.3 : T Shamsi to A Dananjaya, Fuller in length outside off, pushed to the covers for no run. |
| 12.4 : T Shamsi to A Dananjaya, Flat, short and just around off, Akila goes back and forces the punch to the cover region. |
| 12.5 : T Shamsi to A Dananjaya, Quite slow through the air as Shamsi lands it full around off, Akila presses forward and defends it well. |
| 12.6 : T Shamsi to A Dananjaya, A wicket-maiden to end a fantastic spell from Shamsi. He has returns of 4-1-26-2. Superb. Spinning away from around off, Dananjaya hangs his bat out and gets beaten. |
| 13.1 : J Dala to D Chandimal, Length delivery from Dala, it's defended solidly from inside the crease. |
| 13.2 : J Dala to D Chandimal, Wide! Bumper from Junior. Too high to worry the batsman! Wide signalled by the umpire. |
| J Dala to D Chandimal, Length delivery kicking off the deck on off, Chandimal plays it on the up and drives it aerially towards wide mid off for one. |
| 13.3 : J Dala to A Dananjaya, On middle and leg, goes off the inside half of Dananjaya's bat and down to fine leg as the batsmen cross over. |
| 13.4 : J Dala to D Chandimal, Shaping back in from a good length, on middle and leg, clipped with the wrists down to fine leg. One more to the total. |
| 13.5 : J Dala to A Dananjaya, Switches to around the wicket and spears in a full ball around off, angling in. Akila drives it just wide of mid off and steals a quick run. |
| 13.6 : J Dala to D Chandimal, Chandimal taps this to point and wants the single, but it's straight to point. Akila will be on strike for the next over. |
| JP Duminy is on for the first time in this innings. Crucial juncture to bring himself on. Can he get the job done? Two slips and a short leg in place. |
| 14.1 : JP Duminy to A Dananjaya, OUT! He's started well for sure. Wicket off the very first ball of his spell. Bowls this a bit slower through the air in line of the stumps, Dananjaya expects this to turn and plays away from his body, leaving a big gap between bat and pad. The ball doesn't spin at all, keeps on going straight and crashes into the furniture behind. 11 needed in 35 balls. 3 wickets left for Sri Lanka. |
| 0.0 : Isuru Udana walks in next. Will he be able to hold his nerve? A slip and a leg slip in place for him. |
| 14.2 : JP Duminy to I Udana, Over the wicket now, low dipping full toss on the pads, Udana pushes it to long on and gets Chandimal on strike. |
| 14.3 : JP Duminy to D Chandimal, Knocks it down to long on and takes one more. |
| 14.4 : JP Duminy to I Udana, Goes with the spin and works it away on the leg side. |
| 14.5 : JP Duminy to I Udana, Some extra bounce as it's landed around off, spins in and Udana defends from the higher part of the blade. |
| 14.6 : JP Duminy to I Udana, Straighter one outside off, beats the outside edge and thuds into the keeper's gloves. |
| Lungi Ngidi returns. |
| 15.1 : L Ngidi to D Chandimal, Back of a length quite close to off, not much room on offer as Chandimal can only punch it square to point. |
| 15.2 : L Ngidi to D Chandimal, Angling back in from wider of the crease, Dinesh blocks it back to the right of the bowler. |
| 15.3 : L Ngidi to D Chandimal, Excellent effort from Klaasen. Not many runs left to play with, every save is vital. Chandimal does well here to cut this past the diving point fielder. Seems the ball will race away but Heinrich from sweeper cover moves a long way to his left and dives to keep it in. Two runs taken by the batsmen. |
| 15.4 : L Ngidi to D Chandimal, Two more. Ngidi dishes out a low full toss on the stumps, it's flicked through mid-wicket for a double. |
| 15.5 : L Ngidi to D Chandimal, A push-punch through the gap in the covers for a single. One ball for Udana to survive. |
| Short leg comes in. Short stuff? |
| 15.6 : L Ngidi to I Udana, FOUR! The double bluff doesn't work as Udana picks it up. Expects the full ball to come in and drives it straight back past the bowler to send it away to the boundary line. He celebrates with Chandimal and the crowd goes wild. SRI LANKA WIN BY 3 WICKETS! |
| They huffed and puffed but the Islanders have managed to just about hobble across the finish line. There are smiles all around, but in all honesty, they'd be quite disappointed in how they fared with the bat. Much like the Proteas actually. It was a tale of poor batting subsequently backed up by superb bowling from both sides. Initially, the Sri Lankan spinners wrapped the South African batsmen up for just 98, sharing 7 wickets between them. And then, similar for the visitors as all barring Lung |
| Had it not been for that fifty partnership between Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva, this game could have been all but lost for the Lankans. The former ensured he was there right till the end to see his team home, otherwise the home side could have been in serious risk of losing this one too. An easy chase turned into unnecessary chaos, something which they could and should have avoided. The presentation will be coming up shortly... |
| Man of the Match, Dhananjaya de Silva, says he tried to play according to the situation. Adds further that his team needed him to stay out there and he did so. Reckons it was a 140-plus pitch but both the teams bowled really well. Informs they had a plan and it was executed well. Ends by saying that the new ball was coming onto the bat and the fast bowlers were easier to face. |
| South African skipper, JP Duminy, says 30 to 40 more runs would have made a difference. Admits they could not execute their plans with the bat. Adds further they take a lot of positives from the tour and they hope to come out stronger next time. Mentions they have learnt their lessons. Credits the way the Lankan spinners bowled. He feels it was a good wicket. Mentions he thoroughly enjoyed the role of a captain but is disappointed on not ending on the winning side. Ends by saying they had to cha |
| Sri Lankan skipper, Angelo Mathews, says they made it difficult for themselves by losing wickets but feels they were very good in the field and with the ball. He admits they did not bat well but credits the bowlers for the way they bowled. Reckons there is improvement in all three departments. He hopes to carry the momentum into the up coming tournaments. Thanks the fans for their support despite the team failing in the ODIs. |
| After a long month, filled with upsets, dominance and feisty battles throughout, we have come to an end of this fun-filled tour. Sri Lanka blew the Proteas away in the Test series, which was followed by the tourists exacting revenge in the ODI series. They won the first three games, but Sri Lanka didn't lose heart and clawed their way in the remaining two, garnering momentum and taking this one-off T20I, even if it was by the skin of their teeth. Lots of lessons for the young blood and the newco |
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