| 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. |
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