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SL beat SA by 3 runs (D/L method) | Sri Lanka vs South Africa, Highlights And Cricket Score 4th ODI Match - Commentary
South Africa in Sri Lanka, 5 ODI Series, 2018
Date: Aug 08, 2018 Start Time: 14:30 IST | 09:00 GMT | 14:30 LocalVenue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
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Sri Lanka vs South Africa Highlights And Cricket Score 4th Match - ODI Commentary
Big task ahead for the Proteas. A revised target of 308 isn't an easy one in normal situations as it is, gunning it down in 39 overs is a bigger challenge. The task might get more difficult if the rain intervenes again, so the Saffas will want a brisk start without losing much wickets. The chase is set up to be an exciting one. Don't go anywhere, it'll begin shortly...
South Africa were put under the pump today and they couldn't rise up to the occasion. Certain new players were brought in and everyone, including the regulars, were taken to the cleaners. Wickets were shared all around, though they didn't come at vital times and the runs couldn't be contained. Both Thisara and Shanaka blasted their respective fifties in the death overs, which should say a lot in itself.
Sri Lanka have done in 39 overs what they were struggling to do in 50 overs - get to the 300-mark. After a rather stop-start beginning to the game, whereby the overs were reduced to 39 eventually, Dickwella and Tharanga powered the Lankans off to a fast start. It laid the platform for the rest to capitalize on. The wickets might have kept falling, but the partnerships made were fast ones. 31 between Tharanga and Mendis, then 59 between Mathews and Kusal Perera. The big one though came late between Thisara and Shanaka, wherein they blasted 109 in 70 balls to power Sri Lanka past 300.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Akila Dananjaya. No, he cannot. Dot ball to finish things. Length ball outside off, Akila moves across to scoop it over the keeper's head but can't connect due to the lack of pace on it. At first everyone starts to go off, but the bowler just thinks the umpire is going to signal a wide for some reason. Doesn't happen, they continue to walk and SRI LANKA FINISH ON 306/7!
Andile Phehlukwayo to Thisara Perera. Length delivery around off, Thisara swings and gets it off the inner half through to deep mid-wicket for a single. Last ball of the innings. Can Akila finish big?
Andile Phehlukwayo to Akila Dananjaya. Driven towards mid on for a quick single. Off the mark.
Akila Dananjaya is the next batsman in.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Dasun Shanaka. OUT! Taken! Shanaka departs after a scintillating knock. Fuller ball on the off stump, he looks to go over the off side but can't get underneath the ball cleanly. Hits it straight to Mulder at cover-point. He departs, but not before playing a blinder. Partnership of 109 comes to a close.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Dasun Shanaka. 300 on the board for Sri Lanka. Shanaka has been wonderful for Sri Lanka today. Knuckle ball on the hips, Dasun moves inside the line and with all his might, heaves it over backward square leg for a maximum.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Thisara Perera. 9th ODI fifty for Thisara Perera! Length delivery outside off, cut down to short third man for a quick single. He's deserved this one, vital player for Sri Lanka.
Junior Dala to Dasun Shanaka. FOUR! The 100-run stand is up. These two are going along strong. Shanaka swings this length ball through the square leg region and finds the boundary line without any trouble.
Junior Dala to Dasun Shanaka. In the air again but it lands safely. Shortish outside off, Dasun lofts it high over point. Lands safely and a brace is taken.
Junior Dala to Dasun Shanaka. SIX! His maiden ODI fifty and it's brought up in some style. What a hit from Shanaka. Slower ball, straight in line, no fielder out in the deep on the leg side so he goes for it. Swings hard and clears the square leg boundary for half a dozen.
Junior Dala to Dasun Shanaka. FOUR! Oh wow. That is smashed. Dasun Shanaka on the charge. Short of a length outside off, he stands his ground and bludgeons it over the covers for a boundary.
Junior Dala to Dasun Shanaka. FOUR! That's innovative from Dasun Shanaka. All vital runs for Sri Lanka. Full and just outside off, he walks across and scoops it over short fine leg. One bounce and it's across the rope for a boundary.
Junior Dala to Thisara Perera. Full and fired on middle and off, drilled to long on. Single taken.
Lungi Ngidi to Thisara Perera. Too full aiming the base of off stump, Perera smacks it past the bowler. Long off is out there, he moves to his left and keeps the batsmen to a single.
Lungi Ngidi to Dasun Shanaka. Full outside off, Shanaka drives it to extra cover and rushes to the other end. There is a shy at the bowler's end but it misses.
Lungi Ngidi to Thisara Perera. Lofted down towards long off for just one this time.
Lungi Ngidi to Thisara Perera. SIX! A mishit and it's still gone all the way. The man has a lot of power in him, doesn't he? The crowd's loving it. Slower length on off, Thisara throws the kitchen sink at it and gets it off the top edge. Clears long off somehow and that's the second one of the over.
Lungi Ngidi to Thisara Perera. On the fuller side of the length, around off, smacked hard but straight to mid off.
Lungi Ngidi to Thisara Perera. SIX! That's outta here! Short ball angling in on off, Thisara rocks on the back foot in a jiffy and pulls it with all his might. Clears the fence with ease and sends it deep into the mid-wicket stands.
Junior Dala to Thisara Perera. Full again, angling in on middle and leg, Thisara stays leg side and lofts it over covers for a run.
Junior Dala to Dasun Shanaka. In the air but it's well short. Fuller from Dala, Shanaka off the toe end lofts it down towards long on for a single.
Junior Dala to Dasun Shanaka. Dances down the track to the length ball and hits it towards mid on.
Junior Dala to Thisara Perera. Length delivery close to off, Perera gets an inside edge down to fine leg for a single.
Junior Dala to Thisara Perera. A big swing across the line from Perera but he gets it off the outer half through point. Free Hit, so no harm done either way. Picks up two for it.
Free Hit coming up...
Junior Dala to Dasun Shanaka. No ball! Dala dishes out a high full toss on the stumps, Shanaka swings across the line to put it away but can only get it away on the leg side. Single taken and no ball signalled for height.
Junior Dala to Dasun Shanaka. SIX! BANG! Shanaka wastes no time in putting this away. Welcomes Dala with a biggie. Short ball, Dasun pulls this over mid-wicket for a maximum.
Junior Dala comes back on.
Lungi Ngidi to Thisara Perera. Thisara looks to smash this out of Kandy but connects only with thin air. Fuller length ball just outside off, the southpaw swings with all his might but can't put any bat on ball.
Lungi Ngidi to Dasun Shanaka. Slower one, landed on a length outside off, run down towards third man for a single.
Lungi Ngidi to Thisara Perera. Length delivery in the channel outside off, Thisara punches it a bit square through the off side and crosses over.
Lungi Ngidi to Dasun Shanaka. Worked away on the leg side for a single.
Lungi Ngidi to Dasun Shanaka. Wide! The ball is down the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. Wide signalled by the umpire. Fifty-run stand comes up. Can these two take Sri Lanka close to 300?
Lungi Ngidi to Thisara Perera. Slower and outside off, cut through point for a single.
Lungi Ngidi to Thisara Perera. FOUR! Comes from around the wicket and fires it full on off, Thisara smashes this straight back past the bowler. Hit so hard, nobody in the deep has any chance to stop it. Wow.
Lungi Ngidi to bowl.
Willem Mulder to Thisara Perera. Leans ahead to this fuller ball and drives it towards mid off for a single.
Willem Mulder to Thisara Perera. Wide! Way outside off, across the tramline, wide signalled by the umpire.
Willem Mulder to Thisara Perera. Fuller on the stumps, driven back down the track for no run.
Willem Mulder to Dasun Shanaka. Smacks this flat down to long on and gets to the other end.
Willem Mulder to Dasun Shanaka. Length ball outside off, Dasun opens the face and dabs it behind point. Runs the first one hard so is able to come back for the second as a result.
Willem Mulder to Thisara Perera. Full and wide outside off, driven to deep cover for one run.
Willem Mulder to Dasun Shanaka. Fullish in length and darted just outside off, Shanaka closes the bat face and works it through the vacant spaces in the mid-wicket region for one run.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Dasun Shanaka. Short of a length ball punched off the back foot. They pick up a single at covers.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Thisara Perera. Full length ball driven to mid off. They pick up a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Dasun Shanaka. NOT OUT! Shanaka is safe. Length ball angling in, the batsman is late on the shot and seems to get a faint inside edge as the ball goes down to fine leg. The batsmen in the meantime go for a single. Phehlukwayo appeals but it is turned down by the umpire. The bowler felt it hit his pads first and convinced de Kock to go for the review. Replays show that there is bat involved and South Africa lose their review.
Review taken for an lbw. Dasun Shanaka is the man in question. Quinton de Kock wants to check if it's pad first or not. Let's see...
Andile Phehlukwayo to Dasun Shanaka. SIX! Short ball, he goes for the pull and connects sweetly as the balls flies over the deep square leg boundary for a six.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Thisara Perera. Length ball outside off, Thisara reaches out and gives it everything but does not time it well, fielder at covers runs back but fails to get his hands to it.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Thisara Perera. Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment.
Willem Mulder to Dasun Shanaka. FOUR! Full and wide outside off, Shanaka lofts that over mid off. The ball has crossed the ropes.
Willem Mulder to Dasun Shanaka. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Willem Mulder to Thisara Perera. Overpitched ball wide outside off, Thisara goes for the expansive drive but finds the fielder at sweeper cover who keeps it down to a single.
Willem Mulder to Thisara Perera. Full on middle and off, played back to the bowler.
Willem Mulder to Dasun Shanaka. Length ball on the stumps, the batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. One run added to the total.
Willem Mulder to Thisara Perera. Length ball on the pads, Thisara gets inside the line and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Willem Mulder is brought back into the attack.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Thisara Perera. Stands tall as this is landed on a back of a length outside off. Thisara punches it to sweeper cover for a run.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Thisara Perera. Outside off again, another play and a miss.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Thisara Perera. Big swing and a miss from the batsman. Thisara looks to go big across the line to this short of a length ball, misses it altogether.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Thisara Perera. Hits this really hard but unfortunately finds the fielder. Length ball around off, Thisara slaps this hard to mid off.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Dasun Shanaka. Width offered outside off, Shanaka cuts it down behind point and brings Thisara back on strike.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Dasun Shanaka. Slower length delivery just outside off, Shanaka opens the bat face and dabs it to point.
Andile Phehlukwayo to bowl again.
JP Duminy to Dasun Shanaka. Manages to whip this just wide of the fielder in the same area and gets a single.
JP Duminy to Dasun Shanaka. Tucks it to the mid-wicket area but for no run this time.
JP Duminy to Dasun Shanaka. SIX! He can hit a few. Nicely tossed on around off, Shanaka takes a step across, gets low and slog sweeps the turning ball with the spin over square leg. Short boundary out there, nicely done.
JP Duminy to Dasun Shanaka. Plants his front foot forward and pushes it back to the bowler.
JP Duminy to Thisara Perera. Flicks it away through mid-wicket and gets off strike.
JP Duminy to Thisara Perera. FOUR! Positive cricket from Thisara Perera. Keeping the boundaries coming is important. Waits for the bad ball as it's dropped short. He rocks back and muscles it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Junior Dala to Dasun Shanaka. Blocked out comfortably. It's attacking the stumps, Dasun stays behind the line and offers a defensive bat in response.
Junior Dala to Thisara Perera. Slower and down the leg side, worked to fine leg. One more to the total.
Junior Dala to Dasun Shanaka. The 200 is up! Sri Lanka need to get a move on in these last 10 or so overs. Shanaka wrists it through square leg and rotates strike.
Junior Dala to Thisara Perera. Full and down the leg side, flicked to fine leg for one off the pads. So it's a leg bye.
Junior Dala to Dasun Shanaka. Length ball kicking off the surface, on off, it takes the outside edge of the bat and rolls down to third man. Single collected.
Junior Dala to Dasun Shanaka. Full in line of the stumps, pushed back down the track off the front foot.
JP Duminy to Thisara Perera. Rock solid in defense. Good over from JP. 3 runs and a wicket off it. Full and loopy on the stumps, Thisara comes forward and blocks it out.
JP Duminy to Thisara Perera. Full and outside off, safely guarded out.
JP Duminy to Dasun Shanaka. Shanaka is off the mark. Leans forward and across before wristing it down to long on for a single.
JP Duminy to Thisara Perera. Full toss around the pads, worked away on the leg side for a single.
Dasun Shanaka to bat next.
JP Duminy to Kusal Perera. OUT! Kusal Perera has been dismissed at a crucial time for the Lankans. Needed to stay out there, at least a little longer, if not till the end. He skips down the track and lofts it over wide mid on. Doesn't have enough power on it as David Miller runs to his left from long on and slides to take a safe catch.
JP Duminy to Thisara Perera. Quick, flat and short outside off, cut through towards sweeper cover. One run collected.
Junior Dala to Thisara Perera. Pushes this full length ball down the ground with the full face of the bat and picks up a single.
Junior Dala to Thisara Perera. Wide! Angles it down the leg side from around the wicket, wide called by the umpire.
Junior Dala to Thisara Perera. Picks it off his pads and works it away on the leg side.
Junior Dala to Thisara Perera. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Junior Dala to Thisara Perera. Short of a good length on off, played back off the inner half to the left of the bowler.
Junior Dala to Thisara Perera. Good effort from Andile. Short and outside off, Thisara throws his bat at it and cuts it over the vacant slip cordon. Phehlukwayo from third man moves to his right and slides to make a good stop. The umpire checks it upstairs and replays show he's just fine. Two to the total.
Boundary? The umpire is checking it upstairs...
Junior Dala to Thisara Perera. FOUR! Smacked! Shot. Back of a length close to off, Thisara stands tall and slaps it down the ground. Straight back, the two men in the deep can't stop it.
Junior Dala returns.
JP Duminy to Thisara Perera. Spinning away from around off, on a shorter length, punched down the ground to long off for one.
JP Duminy to Kusal Perera. Goes back and works it through backward square leg for a single.
JP Duminy to Kusal Perera. Full and down the leg side, Kusal closes the face early and gets a leading edge back to the bowler.
JP Duminy to Kusal Perera. Slower through the air and fullish on the stumps, Kusal is forward in defense.
JP Duminy to Thisara Perera. Goes back to the flatter ball and works it in front of square leg for a single.
JP Duminy to Thisara Perera. Fuller from around the wicket, on middle and off, played back to the bowler.
Thisara Perera to be the new man in. Also, JP Duminy comes back into the attack.
Lungi Ngidi to Dhananjaya de Silva. OUT! Loose shot by de Silva as he half-heartedly drives a full length ball in the air, way outside off and the elevation takes the ball all the way to the man at sweeper cover boundary. Sri Lanka now have half the side back in the hut as the man in-form departs cheaply.
Lungi Ngidi to Dhananjaya de Silva. The batsman defends this length ball from within the crease.
Lungi Ngidi to Kusal Perera. 11th ODI Fifty for Kusal Perera. Short of a length outside off, gets on top and punches it to sweeper cover for a single.
Lungi Ngidi to Kusal Perera. FOUR! Straying on the pads and pays the price. Full ball angling in, but Perera gets the inside half on his flick shot and the ball runs very fine to the fine leg boundary.
Lungi Ngidi to Dhananjaya de Silva. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single.
Lungi Ngidi to Dhananjaya de Silva. FOUR! Gets Lucky. Short of a length just outside off, stays on the back foot and opens the face, gets it finer than he intended to, between the slip and keeper. It runs away for a four.
Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total.
Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva. Drives this full ball back in the bowler's direction. Another dot.
Keshav Maharaj to Dhananjaya de Silva. Pushed quicker through the air on middle and off, blocked firmly in front of short cover.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Perera. Works it away through backward square leg for a single.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Perera. FOUR! Too much width offered outside off, Perera goes back and cuts it fiercely through point. Consecutive boundaries for him.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Perera. FOUR! In the gap and that's a boundary. Kusal Perera starts the over off in explosive fashion. Full outside off, he slogs this right off the meat over mid-wicket. Well wide of the man in the deep. Superb shot.
Lungi Ngidi to Dhananjaya de Silva. Short of length ball, pushed it to the cover fielder.
Lungi Ngidi to Dhananjaya de Silva. FOUR! And he is off the mark in style. Short of a length ball on the body, he plays a short-arm pull through mid-wicket, times it sweetly enough.
Lungi Ngidi to Dhananjaya de Silva. Length ball outside off, de Silva shoulders arms and lets it go.
Dhananjaya de Silva out in the middle next.
Drinks are on the field.
Lungi Ngidi to Angelo Mathews. OUT! The big one is down. Lungi Ngidi picks up a vital wicket for his skipper and his team. Back of a length outside off, Mathews goes for the expansive drive on the up, gets a thick outside edge and de Kock does well to take a Superman-like catch diving to his right. This is the 2nd time in 3 ODIs that Mathews has fallen prey to Ngidi.
Lungi Ngidi to Angelo Mathews. FOUR! Short of a length on off, Mathews walks down the track, goes through the line, gets good elevation over mid off and the ball runs over the ropes.
Lungi Ngidi to Kusal Perera. Bangs it short and wide from round the wicket, Perera rocks back and cuts it to deep point for a single.
Lungi Ngidi is back on. South Africa need a wicket here.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Perera. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Perera. Drives it to mid off for no run.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Perera. SIX! Powerful hit from Kusal Perera! Short on the stumps, he goes on the back foot and muscles the pull over mid-wicket for a big maximum. That brings up the 50-run stand between these two as well.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Perera. Uses the wrists to turn it on the leg side.
Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews. Works it against the spin through mid-wicket for a single.
Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews. Wide! Appeal for a catch? Still a wide's been given. What's happened here? Replays show some pad. Sliding down leg, Mathews misses the flick as the ball brushes the pads. Understandable why de Kock appealed.
Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews. SIX! That's how you play spin. Good use of the feet from the Lankan skipper. Gets out of the crease, close to the pitch and smokes it over long off. Well done, Mathews.
Willem Mulder to Angelo Mathews. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.
Willem Mulder to Angelo Mathews. Length ball on the pads, elegantly flicked to deep backward square leg for 2 runs.
Willem Mulder to Kusal Perera. Short ball on the body, Perera gets inside the line and swivel-pulls it to fine leg for a single.
Willem Mulder to Kusal Perera. FOUR! Length ball outside off, Perera drives on the up through covers for a beautiful boundary.
Willem Mulder to Kusal Perera. SIX! Majestic Pull, Mulder bangs it short into the body, Perera swivels quickly and pulls this ones over the deep square leg boundary.
Willem Mulder to Kusal Perera. FOUR LEG BYES! Length ball angling in on the pads from round the wicket, the batsman tries to flick it, misses, takes the deflection off the pads and runs down fine for a four.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Perera. Turned down to short fine leg. A brisk single is stolen as a shy is had at the striker's end. It misses, so no harm done in the end.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Perera. Spears it full, almost a yorker, probably trying to counter Perera's sweep. The batsman can only dig it out back to the bowler.
Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews. Flat, quick and short, skidding on the stumps, punched off the back foot to long on. One run collected.
Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews. Loopy and slow through the air outside off, pushed to short cover.
Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews. Drifting in from around the wicket, full and on middle and leg, Mathews plays it off the inner half to mid-wicket.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Perera. Spinning in on a fuller length, Perera goes with the turn and drags the sweep to deep backward square leg for a single.
Willem Mulder to Angelo Mathews. Another bumper, this one is a legal one though. Mathews looks to take the pull shot on but the bounce gets too big on him.
Willem Mulder to Angelo Mathews. Length ball on off, goes across the line with a pull to short mid-wicket.
Willem Mulder to Angelo Mathews. Places the punch on the up straight to the cover fielder.
Willem Mulder to Angelo Mathews. Wide! banged in short but it's too short. Mulder brings the short one out of nowhere and hits the deck hard. Too hard it seems. Over the batsman's head and that's a wide.
Willem Mulder to Angelo Mathews. Fired in full on the stumps, Angelo drills it to the man at short cover.
Willem Mulder to Kusal Perera. Back of a length outside off, punched to sweeper cover for one more.
Willem Mulder to Kusal Perera. Wide! Angles it too far down, down the leg side, wide called.
Willem Mulder to Kusal Perera. FOUR! Picks his spot and takes the aerial route. Full and angling in on middle from around the wicket, Perera lofts it cleanly over mid-wicket and beats the man in the deep. Excellent placement.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Perera. Perera forces this towards mid on and changes ends.
Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews. Short and flat, turning away, Mathews goes back and offers a firm punch through towards sweeper cover for one.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Perera. Full and just outside off, Perera tries to drive it back down the ground but it goes off the edge through the vacant slip cordon. Just the single results.
Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews. Comes forward and knocks it to long on for a single.
Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews. Too full and quick on middle and leg, driven straight to the man at mid on.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Perera. Quicker and fuller outside off, spinning in, Perera gets low and sweeps it off the inner half in front of square leg for a single.
Willem Mulder to Angelo Mathews. FOUR! Good shot as he smashes a full length delivery straight down the ground. The timing takes the ball past the long on boundary.
Willem Mulder to Angelo Mathews. Short of a length, Mathews opens the face and dabs it to the point fielder.
Willem Mulder to Angelo Mathews. DROPPED! Much easier than the one dropped by Klassen earlier. Mathews drives a length ball on the up. Ball seems to stop a bit and presents Mulder with a catch who hangs his left hand out, the ball hits the top of his palm and goes down. How much will this cost SA?
Willem Mulder to Angelo Mathews. Short of a length on the stumps. Mathews goes back and blocks it.
Willem Mulder to Angelo Mathews. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends this short of a length ball off the back foot.
Willem Mulder to Angelo Mathews. Full ball on the stumps, Mathews plays it straight to the bowler who throws it back at the stumps.
Willem Mulder to Angelo Mathews. Wide! Banged in short but misses his line as he strays this one way down the leg side for a wide.
Keshav Maharaj to Angelo Mathews. Goes with the spin and pushes it to the cover region. Single to end the over as Mathews gets going.
Angelo Mathews next in to bat.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis. OUT! And gone! Maharaj strikes in his very first over. Keeps it full and straight, in line of the stumps, Mendis is down on his rear knee to sweep it away but misses it altogether. Caught flush in front of pads and the appeal goes up. The umpire's finger follows not too long after and Mendis has to walk back. Sri Lanka in a slight spot of bother here.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Mendis. Dabs it to point for nothing.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Perera. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. The 100 comes up for Sri Lanka.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Perera. A lot of flight on this from Maharaj, Mendis goes across the line with a swipe and places it through mid-wicket for a double.
Keshav Maharaj to Kusal Perera. Floated delivery on the stumps, pushed just wide of the bowler.
Keshav Maharaj to roll his arm over.
Willem Mulder to Kusal Perera. Length ball angling in, batsman fails to make contact, gets hit low on the pads. Tries to turn it to the on side, but the ball hits the pads and they run for a quick single. Leg bye signalled.
Willem Mulder to Kusal Perera. FOUR! That's how Perera likes to play, length ball just outside off, the left-hander punches it straight with power and beats Ngidi to the boundary.
Willem Mulder to Kusal Perera. Back of length slanted in the body, Perera misses the flick and the ball raps his thigh pad.
Kusal Perera to join Kusal Mendis in the middle. This could be a 'Kusal' partnership for Sri Lanka.
Willem Mulder to Upul Tharanga. OUT! What a delivery from Mulder. Superb. This surface wasn't supposed to have anything in it for the pacers but the rain has completely changed the game. The ball is doing all sorts of things now. Length delivery angling in from round the wicket, Tharanga looks to play at it but misses it completely as the ball rattles the stumps, after going through the gate. Sri Lanka lose their 2nd wicket.
Willem Mulder to Upul Tharanga. SIX! Length ball outside off and Tharanga drives on the up through the line over mid off, great elevation and super timing takes it over the boundary for a maximum.
Willem Mulder to Kusal Mendis. Full ball on middle, Mendis flicks it straight to deep square for a single.
Willem Mulder is introduced into the bowling attack.
JP Duminy to Kusal Mendis. Terrific placement. Mendis waits the short ball outside off, backs away and cuts it late past short third man. Ngidi chases it down and keeps it just inside the rope. Saves a run for his side.
JP Duminy to Kusal Mendis. Spinning in from around off, tad shorter in length, Mendis is behind the line as he pushes it towards mid on.
JP Duminy to Upul Tharanga. Straighter one, on middle and leg, clipped through square leg for one more.
JP Duminy to Upul Tharanga. Positions himself well behind the line and pushes it out defensively.
JP Duminy to Kusal Mendis. Leans ahead and drives it down to long off. Gets to the other end with a single.
JP Duminy to Kusal Mendis. SIX! Clean strike. Kusal Mendis has made his intentions known without wasting time. Positive batting from him. Sees the ball tossed up in his area, he gets low and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket to send it deep into the stands.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Upul Tharanga. FOUR! Superb. Back-to-back boundaries to end the over. Short and well outside off, Tharanga cuts it down fine aerially and sends it across the third man fence for a boundary.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Upul Tharanga. FOUR! Shot. Got good power behind it and the placement was fine as well. Just behind a length, on the stumps, Tharanga shapes up for the shot and pulls it through mid-wicket to send it across the boundary line.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Upul Tharanga. Wide! Way outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. The umpire signals a wide.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Kusal Mendis. Uses the angle into him and works it away through square leg for a run.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Upul Tharanga. Skidding off the surface again. Length ball on middle and leg, heaved off the inner half through to deep mid-wicket. One more taken.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Kusal Mendis. Cutting back in from a length, Mendis tucks it behind square on the leg side. One run to the total.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Kusal Mendis. Skidding off the deck as Andile serves it on a length outside off, Mendis looks to cut but misses.
JP Duminy to Kusal Mendis. Mendis is off the mark. He leans ahead and wrists it to mid on for a single.
JP Duminy to Kusal Mendis. Fires it quicker, going down leg, Mendis is caught on the pads as he misses his attempted sweep shot. No appeal made.
JP Duminy to Kusal Mendis. Goes with the spin as Duminy comes over the wicket, worked away on the leg side.
Kusal Mendis walks in at no.3.
JP Duminy to Niroshan Dickwella. OUT! What an anti-climatic end to Niroshan Dickwella's stay in the middle. The Sri Lankan openers were motoring along quite well, but the 61-run stand has come to an end. Slower through the air and fuller on off, Dickwella leans forward and across to play the paddle sweep but gets it off the top edge. It pops up as he played it too early and de Kock takes the simplest of catches in the vacant short leg area.
JP Duminy to Upul Tharanga. Through the covers again, along the carpet this time. Single to the total.
JP Duminy to Upul Tharanga. Tharanga goes inside out. Tossed up just outside off, Upul opens his body up a bit and lofts it over the covers. Wide long off comes across to his right and stops the boundary. The batsmen take two.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Upul Tharanga. Short of a length angling across, Tharanga glides this rising delivery to third man
Andile Phehlukwayo to Upul Tharanga. Short and attacking the stumps, Tharanga goes for the pull but does not time it cleanly, fielder runs across and restricts them to two.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Upul Tharanga. Tries to run a length ball outside off towards third man, misses as the ball nips away a bit to beat the bat.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Upul Tharanga. FOUR! Overpitched delivery on middle and off, Tharanga chips it over mid off and the timing is good enough to take it past the boundary.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Upul Tharanga. Length ball outside off, Tharanga tries to blast it straight on the up but finds mid off, no chance of a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Upul Tharanga. Bangs it in short, angling away, Tharanga sways back and lets it go past to the keeper.
JP Duminy to Niroshan Dickwella. Tossed up from Duminy, it's kept out off the front foot safely.
JP Duminy to Niroshan Dickwella. Smart from JP. Seeing Dickwella position himself for the reverse sweep, he darts it full around leg, Dickwella still goes through with the shot but can only get it off the toe end on the off side.
JP Duminy to Niroshan Dickwella. Pushes towards short extra cover. Dot ball on this occasion.
JP Duminy to Upul Tharanga. Leans ahead and drives the full ball down to long off for a single.
JP Duminy to Upul Tharanga. A bit quicker through the air, around off, Tharanga looks to drive it through the covers but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
JP Duminy to Niroshan Dickwella. Dipping full toss from around the wicket, outside off, Niroshan kneels down and drags the sweep through square leg for one.
JP Duminy on to have a go with the ball.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Niroshan Dickwella. Bit too straight in line, on middle, worked in front of square leg for a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Niroshan Dickwella. Hits the deck hard and bangs it in short, around off, Dickwella arches back to ramp it over the keeper's head but fails to connect.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Upul Tharanga. Seaming off the deck, away from the batsman, Tharanga runs it down to third man and gets off strike.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Niroshan Dickwella. Shaping away towards off on a back of a length, wristed away square on the leg side. One run taken.
Update 1755 local - The news is in. Play to begin now in 5 minutes. The match is reduced to a 39-over game. Both the openers stride out, with Phehlukwayo to continue. Dickwella on strike. Here we go...
Update 1725 local - So the covers are back on. Was just a slight drizzle at first, but then it picked up. Let's hope play starts back soon enough. We continue to wait. Random note - the floodlights continue to shine brightly.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Niroshan Dickwella. Wide! Way down the leg side, wide called by the umpire. De Kock behind the stumps does well to move to his right and stop the ball.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Niroshan Dickwella. Short and outside off, steered to point with an angled bat.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Upul Tharanga. On the leg stump line, Tharanga walks across to play the flick shot but it goes off his pads. They take a leg bye as there is a shy at the striker's end. Needless as the batsman was well in. So, as a result, they take two more as the ball ricochets away.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Upul Tharanga. Wide! Andile sprays it down the leg side, starts the over off loosely. The umpire signals wide.
Andile Phehlukwayo is into the attack now.
Junior Dala to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Third of the over, 12 runs in total from this. Quite expensive from Junior Dala. It's pounded in shorter around off, Dickwella with an angled blade steers it behind the diving backward point fielder to send it across the boundary line.
Junior Dala to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Full in length and attacking the stumps, Dickwella leans ahead and lofts it over the mid-wicket area for a boundary.
Junior Dala to Niroshan Dickwella. Hangs back inside the crease and keeps it out with a straight blade.
Junior Dala to Niroshan Dickwella. Fullish in length and outside off, going away, Dickwella drives it square to point.
Junior Dala to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Short and it's pulled away! Into the body from Dala, Dickwella with a little swivel muscles it over the square leg region and finds the fence.
Junior Dala to Niroshan Dickwella. Cut in half! Some superb bowling from Junior Dala. He generates some serious pace as he lands it on a back of a length close to off, Dickwella is beaten for pace as he tries to put bat on ball.
Lungi Ngidi to Niroshan Dickwella. Banged in short and it's angling across, Dickwella takes a step out of the crease and cuts it over backward point, towards third man. A run will let Niroshan keep strike.
Lungi Ngidi to Upul Tharanga. Full ball in line of the stumps, Tharanga drives from the inner half, just wide of mid on. One run to the total.
Lungi Ngidi to Upul Tharanga. Bit shortish outside off, cut square on the off side for no run.
Lungi Ngidi to Niroshan Dickwella. Brings the wrists into play and flicks it away on the leg side for a single.
Lungi Ngidi to Niroshan Dickwella. Takes some pace off this and lands this fuller around off, Dickwella drives it towards mid on from the inner half.
Lungi Ngidi to Niroshan Dickwella. Beaten! Length delivery just around off, Dickwella looks to force it on the off side but gets beaten past the inside edge.
Junior Dala to Upul Tharanga. Driven this full delivery to mid off and ends the over with a dot ball.
Junior Dala to Upul Tharanga. That's a dropped chance but what an attempt! Heinrich Klaasen with a phenomenal effort. Wow. Tharanga drives this full ball on the up and chips it towards covers. Klaasen at extra cover moves to his left and dives full stretch. Gets his hands to it but just can't keep a hold of it.
Junior Dala to Upul Tharanga. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Junior Dala to Upul Tharanga. Full and going away from the batsman, Tharanga plays the cover drive and misses.
Junior Dala to Niroshan Dickwella. A firm punch down the ground. Dickwella meets the full ball with the full face of the bat and drives it as mid off cuts across to his left and keeps the batsmen to one.
Junior Dala to Niroshan Dickwella. Wide! Fuller and down the leg side, Dickwella looks to flick but misses.
Junior Dala to Niroshan Dickwella. Fraction straight in line, worked away on the leg side for nothing.
Lungi Ngidi to Upul Tharanga. Length again this time closer to the off pole, Tharanga watches it go through to the keeper.
Lungi Ngidi to Upul Tharanga. FOUR! Class! He is very strong square of the wicket. Ngidi bowls one on the shorter length outside off, Upul stays back and cuts it through point. Boundary.
Lungi Ngidi to Upul Tharanga. Another effort ball on middle and leg, Tharanga does well to leave it alone.
Lungi Ngidi to Niroshan Dickwella. Another short ball down the leg side. Dickwella just helps it on it's way to the fine leg region. One run added to the total.
Lungi Ngidi to Niroshan Dickwella. Back of a length ball on that fourth stump line, Dickwella hops a tad and bunts it down.
Lungi Ngidi to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Shot! Ngidi bangs this one short around middle and leg, Dickwella gets under it and pulls it through mid-wicket to the fence.
Junior Dala to Upul Tharanga. Length ball on the leg side, Tharanga turns his bat to the leg side to the mid-wicket fielder.
Junior Dala to Upul Tharanga. Wide outside off, hit to the cover-point region for nothing.
Junior Dala to Upul Tharanga. Length ball outside off, Tharanga tries cutting it but gets an inside edge to the on side. Thinks of the run but is sent back by his partner.
Junior Dala to Upul Tharanga. Fuller ball around off, Tharanga plays it to the cover region.
Junior Dala to Niroshan Dickwella. Drives this past the mid off region for another run.
Junior Dala to Upul Tharanga. Missed out on that. A low full toss on the leg side. Tharanga whips it away but cannot find the gap. Hits it to deep square leg for just a run.
Lungi Ngidi to Niroshan Dickwella. Gets behind the ball and blocks it well.
Lungi Ngidi to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Lovely! All timing on that. Full and wide outside off, Dickwella opens the bat face and guides it through cover-point. Didn't hit it too hard but the ball raced to the fence. Even though with so much rain, the outfield was quick.
Lungi Ngidi to Upul Tharanga. On the pads again, Upul flicks it towards fine leg to change ends.
Lungi Ngidi to Upul Tharanga. Length ball on the legs, Tharanga taps it in front of him.
Lungi Ngidi to Upul Tharanga. Better this time, gets this closer to the stumps, Tharanga shoulders his arms to this.
Lungi Ngidi to Upul Tharanga. Short and wide outside off, Tharanga leaves it alone.
Junior Dala to Upul Tharanga. Length ball this time by Dala and outside off, Tharanga guides it down to third man for a run. End of a quick over by Dala.
Junior Dala to Upul Tharanga. Bowls a yorker on middle, Tharanga though maybe was expecting a fuller one as already a bouncer was signaled the ball before. He is upto the task and jams it out.
Junior Dala to Upul Tharanga. WIDE! Maybe this time he gets carried away by the bounce he is getting. Goes for another bumper, this time it bounces way above the batsman's head and it is wided.
Junior Dala to Niroshan Dickwella. EDGED but away from the second slip fielder. Just behind a length on the off pole. It slants away from the left-hander. Dickwella tries to defend but gets an outside edge down towards third man for a run.
Junior Dala to Niroshan Dickwella. On the fuller side this time by Dala, no swing on offer for the debutant. Dickwella lunges and pushes it to the man at covers.
Junior Dala to Niroshan Dickwella. Another excellent delivery! Shorter in length and on the body of the batsman. Dickwella strangely tries to fend it away but is beaten.
Junior Dala to Niroshan Dickwella. Starts off with a back of a length delivery, gets some good bounce off the surface. Niroshan lets it go through to the keeper.
Update 1648 local - The news is in that play will resume now. Only a few minutes gone by, but another two overs have been lost. Still a bit overcast out there, let's see how long this phase will last. Junior Dala will be bowling from the other end, with the second new ball.
Some bad news! THE RAIN IS BACK. And it's coming down quite heavily too. Seems like we're going to have a quite frustrating day from the looks of it. Grab your laptops and your smartphone, your cup of coffee and some crisps, we're in for a long day.
Lungi Ngidi to Upul Tharanga. On the back foot again and it's worked away on the leg side. End of the first over.
Lungi Ngidi to Upul Tharanga. Fraction straight in line, Lungi bangs it in short, Tharanga rises this time and works it down on the leg side.
Lungi Ngidi to Niroshan Dickwella. Rises on his toes and dabs it away through point for a single.
Lungi Ngidi to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Edged and Sri Lanka are away! Full in length with some swing on offer from Ngidi. It goes away as Dickwella drives away from his body. Gets a thick edge and it flies past second slip for a boundary.
Lungi Ngidi to Niroshan Dickwella. On the shorter side again, on off, Dickwella hangs on the back foot once more and defends it down.
Lungi Ngidi to Niroshan Dickwella. Back of a length delivery angling across, Dickwella stays back and taps it down in front of point with an open face.
We are ready to begin. South Africa are in a team huddle with their stand-in skipper Quinton de Kock giving them one last pep talk. They spread out on the field as Niroshan Dickwella and Upul Tharanga stride out to the middle. Lungi Ngidi to take the new ball first up. It's got quite dark out there again, could rain once more. Two slips in place. Let's roll...
Angelo Mathews says they would have bowled first too. Feels the wicket looks dry but it settles down later. Mentions there's one change as Prabath Jayasuriya goes out for Dasun Shanaka. Ends by saying he wants his team to do better in all three aspects.
Quinton de Kock says they will have a bowl first. Mentions the wicket does get better under lights, hence the decision to bowl first. Informs there are three changes as Junior Dala comes in for Kagiso Rabada, Heinrich Klaasen for Faf du Plessis and Keshav Maharaj replaces Tabraiz Shamsi. States he wants to test the bench strength and hopes it's a good day for him as captain.
TOSS - South Africa win the toss and opt to field first!
Pitch Report - Kepler Wessels out in the middle says it's a great wicket. Adds that he thought due to the rain, there would be more moisture in it but that's not the case. Continues to say it's very level, very even and it's nice and hard. Reckons the surface looks excellent surface to bat on and the team winning the toss will look to have a go with the bat first. Feels there won't be much swing available, so change of pace will be key.
Hello and welcome to the coverage of the 4th game between Sri Lanka and South Africa. A dead rubber as the series is already decided but there is still a lot at stake. For Sri Lanka, they would want to win it, avoid a whitewash. For South Africa, they will want to keep the hopes of a whitewash alive. Also their new captain Quinton de Kock will be eager to win his first game. What will be the outcome? We will have to wait and find out. Stay tuned for the toss and teams.
So that is it! Sri Lanka finally get a win in the ODI series which also means they avoid the whitewash. South Africa on the other hand, will be disappointed that they could not come out on the winning side. The cricketing action between the two sides does not end as there is one more ODI to go which will be played on the 12th of August at 0230 PM local (0900 AM GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye.
Sri Lankan captain, Angelo Mathews, says it was a very important victory and he is proud of the way his team performed. Mentions the two all rounders played really well. Further adds it was a fantastic effort by the bowlers especially after the DLS method played into the hands of South Africa. Reckons there is Improvement in the batting department and also credits the groundstaff for their effort and handwork.
Man of the Match, Dasun Shanaka, says there was no place for him before this game in the squad but he has grabbed his opportunity. Admits he was not nervous and he enjoyed his batting out in the middle. Ends by saying he is really happy with how the team performed.
South African captain, Quinton de Kock, says it is always difficult losing a game like this one. He adds it was a good game in the end though. Credits the character Sri Lanka showed. Admits they were still backing themselves when David Miller was out there. Ends by saying he enjoyed the responsibility as captain but is sad they could not finish on the winning side.
Akila Dananjaya then got rid off Amla and then in de Silva's one over, Klaasen and the well-set Duminy courtesy a run out took the long walk back. All of a sudden after that, run scoring got difficult. However, the visitors should have still chased this down especially after a handy cameo from Maharaj who fell on the last ball of the penultimate over, leaving the Proteas needing 8 in the last over with Miller on strike. But Miller's wicket on the second ball and Lakmal's excellent line and length in the last over gave Sri Lanka their narrowest win over the Proteas.
Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock got them off to a flier before the left-hander perished. Then Reeza Hendricks walked out at no. 3 but did not stay out for long. Duminy though along with Amla, milked runs at ease and in no time the two added a 57-run stand. At that time, one would have felt, South Africa would chase this down in a canter but it wasn't to be.
Now where did it all change for the South Africans? The Duminy run out? Maybe. They were cruising before that. After the thumping their bowlers received at the hands of the Sri Lankan batsmen, their openers came out all guns blazing. Rain then intervened yet again, setting South Africa a revised target of 191 in 21 overs. Which was comparatively easier than the one they had to chase before (308).
Talk about snatching a defeat from the jaws of victory. Sri Lanka have done exactly that. What a nerve-wrecker. UFF! Credit to Suranga Lakmal, he kept his nerve, stayed as cool as possible and defended just 7 in the last over, also taking the wicket of David Miller. Outstanding!
Suranga Lakmal to Junior Dala. Just the one and SRI LANKA WIN BY 3 RUNS! Excellent, excellent last over by Lakmal. Take a bow. He bowls it on a back of a length around middle, Dala mistimes it towards covers and gets to the other end. Smiles all around the Sri Lanka dressing room as they have finally beaten South Africa after 11 straight losses. Also, the last win over them came at this same venue in 2014.
Suranga Lakmal to Junior Dala. A brace! Now 5 off the last ball! Short of a length on middle, Dala swings, he gets it off the inner half through square leg and the batsmen run two.
Suranga Lakmal to Junior Dala. BEATEN! Lovely delivery! Bowls it closer to the batsman giving him no room. Dala tries to drive it straight down the ground but misses. 7 in 2 now.
Suranga Lakmal to Lungi Ngidi. A single! 7 from 3. Length ball on middle, Ngidi punches it down to long on and gets to the other end.
Lungi Ngidi walks out to the middle.
Suranga Lakmal to David Miller. OUT! KABOOM! Miller is out of here and is that the game for Sri Lanka? Well they are surely favorites now. Lakmal, the experienced campaigner delivers. He bowls the slower delivery on a back of a length around off, Miller goes for the pull but gets an inside edge onto his stumps. The crowd erupts. Lakmal is all pumped up, Mathews is all pumped up. Sri Lanka now need one wicket to win. Whereas, South Africa need 8 from 4.
Suranga Lakmal to David Miller. On the shorter side and outside off, Miller slaps it through covers and does not take a run. 8 from 5 now.
There is a long meeting going on between Lakmal and Mathews. They can't decide on the field they want. Finally they do and Lakmal now is ready to bowl.
Junior Dala is the next man in.
Thisara Perera to Keshav Maharaj. OUT! TIMBER! But is this wicket a little too late? Well, one would feel so as Maharaj walks back after playing a really good cameo. Thisara bowls it on a length around off, Maharaj swings but misses. The ball hits the top of off. 8 needed from the final over. David Miller on strike.
Thisara Perera to David Miller. Direct hit needed... but missed. On a length around off, Miller taps it towards covers and sets off for a run. There is hesitation but they continue with the run. The fielder at point has a shy but misses. Replays though later on show Miller's dive would have saved him.
Thisara Perera to Keshav Maharaj. The batsman has played it to the point region. One run added to the total. Very smart by Maharaj, the last time he got a boundary, he played out two dots after that. This time he does the right thing by giving the strike over to Miller.
Thisara Perera to Keshav Maharaj. FOUR! Maharaj may have just slapped all the hopes away. On a length around off, Maharaj makes room and thrashes it past the diving cover fielder. A boundary and an important one.
Thisara Perera to David Miller. Back of a length on off, Miller guides it towards point and gets to the other end.
Thisara Perera to Keshav Maharaj. NOT OUT! Maharaj again is in by quite a margin. He uses his feet and hits it down towards mid off. They go for a run. The fielder hits bull's eye at the non-striker's end. The ball deflects towards the mid-wicket region. There is an overthrow available but Miller does not want it. The umpire then signals for the third umpire and replays confirm Keshav is in.
Another direct hit at the bowler's end! Maharaj seems to be well in but just to be sure.
Suranga Lakmal to Keshav Maharaj. A single! Again Sri Lanka have Maharaj on strike. He taps this towards point and gets to the other end. How useful would it have been, had he done this on the ball before?
Suranga Lakmal to Keshav Maharaj. And again! This was even uglier than the last one. Outside off and it was the slower one. Maharaj was a week early into his shot and he misses it by a month. 2 dots in a row,
Suranga Lakmal to Keshav Maharaj. How needless is this? A boundary in the last ball, what should he be doing? Give the strike over to Miller, What does he do? Swings blindly to a ball on off and misses. A dot.
Suranga Lakmal to Keshav Maharaj. FOUR! But boundaries from Maharaj will surely hurt the Lankans. South Africa don't mind how they come as long as they come. Pin drop silence here in the stadium. Length ball around middle, Keshav swings, he only gets an inside edge past the diving keeper and into the fine leg fence.
Suranga Lakmal to David Miller. A single now! Sri Lanka won't mind as they have Maharaj on strike. Length outside off, Miller guides it down to third man for a run.
Suranga Lakmal to David Miller. On the pads, Miller clips it in the gap through the leg side and runs two. Good start to the over for South Africa.
Thisara Perera to Keshav Maharaj. Two dots to end another very good over by Perera. On a length around off, Maharaj goes for the cut but misses as the ball stays a touch low.
Thisara Perera to Keshav Maharaj. Bowls it around off, Maharaj tries to run it down but gets an inside edge towards the keeper.
Thisara Perera to David Miller. NOT OUT! Maharaj is in. Excellent running by him. Miller punches it down towards long off and the batsmen complete one. Keshav wants a second and Miller obliges. They go for it. Shanaka at long off collects the ball and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. The ball ricochets off the stumps as the batsmen run an overthrow. The umpire then signals for the third umpire and replays show Keshav to be safe. So three runs in total for the visitors and they need another 24.
Direct hit! Is Maharaj short of his crease? Well the Sri Lankans do not look confident.
Thisara Perera to Keshav Maharaj. The batsman defends it from within the crease. They pick up a single.
Thisara Perera to Keshav Maharaj. Another dot! Excellent by Perera. He bowls the leg cutter on a length. Maharaj tries to defend but gets beaten.
Thisara Perera to David Miller. Miller batting sensibly here. He pushes this length ball around off and takes a run.
Powerplay 3 signaled! Now a total of 5 fielders can be placed outside the ring.
Suranga Lakmal to Keshav Maharaj. FOUR! Very costly! A boundary from the Free Hit and South Africa need 29 from 24. Poor from Lakmal too, he has all his fielders up on the off side and he bowls a half-volley outside off. Maharaj says thank you so much and goes over the fielders in the ring and fetches himself a boundary.
Suranga Lakmal to David Miller. NO BALL! An extra fielder has been placed outside the ring as Miller pushes it towards mid off for a run. Free Hit coming up now. How costly will this prove?
Suranga Lakmal to Keshav Maharaj. Taps this towards covers and gets to the other end.
Keshav Maharaj comes out to bat.
Suranga Lakmal to Willem Mulder. OUT! A screamer by de Silva. Has that effort now tilted the game in Sri Lanka's favour? Well you can say so. Brilliant by him. Lakmal bowls a shorter delivery on middle, Mulder picks the length early and goes for the pull through mid-wicket. He though does not keep it down and Dhananjaya there dives full stretch to his left and takes it. Take a bow. In the first innings, de Kock did something similar to get rid of Mathews.
Suranga Lakmal to Willem Mulder. OHHHH! Close shave! Pressure now building here. Length ball outside off, Mulder goes after it with no foot movement. He gets an inside edge onto his pads.
Suranga Lakmal to Willem Mulder. WIDE! Poor from Lakmal, extras can't be bowled at this stage. Down the leg side, the batsman misses the flick and it has been wided.
Suranga Lakmal to Willem Mulder. A dot! Gold dust at the moment! Mulder steps down the track and Lakmal bowls it on his pads. He misses the flick and gets hit on the pads. 37 from 28.
Suranga Lakmal to David Miller. Shortish on off, Miller punches it towards covers and gets to the other end. Sri Lanka won't mind this as Mulder will now be on strike.
Suranga Lakmal is brought back on.
Thisara Perera to Willem Mulder. Another delivery shorter in length on off, the batsman pushes it to the man at covers. Two dots to end a very good over by Perera.
Thisara Perera to Willem Mulder. Back of a length on off, Mulder punches it to covers.
Thisara Perera to Willem Mulder. Lovely comeback by Perera! On a length and it is the leg spinner. Mulder plays inside the line and gets beaten.
Thisara Perera to Willem Mulder. FOUR! What a shot to get off the mark. One would wonder after looking at that shot, why was he sent after Andile? Slightly short outside off, he guides it through backward point and the ball races to the fence. That should release the pressure which was building.
Willem Mulder strides out to the middle.
Thisara Perera to Andile Phehlukwayo. OUT! PLAYED ON! This was on the cards. South Africa are making a meal out of this now. Another cutter by Perera on middle, Phehlukwayo tries to work it on the leg side but gets an inside edge onto his pads and then onto his stumps. His struggle comes to an end. South Africa need another 42 from 34 deliveries.
Thisara Perera to David Miller. Starts off with a cutter outside off, Miller pushes it through covers for a run.
Thisara Perera is back on.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Andile Phehlukwayo. Almost! Phehlukwayo dances down the track and de Silva spots that. He fires it outside off, AP somehow hits it towards covers. He too like Klaasen looks like getting out on any delivery.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Andile Phehlukwayo. On the pads again, Andile tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.
Dhananjaya de Silva to David Miller. Clips it around the corner with the angle for a run. This is exactly what South Africa should be doing.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Andile Phehlukwayo. Flatter on off, AP goes back and tries to cut, he does so somehow as the ball was too close to play that shot. It goes through covers and a run results.
Dhananjaya de Silva to David Miller. Fires this one short. Miller goes for the pull but the ball hurries onto him. He mistimes it towards long on. The keeper gets excited but there was no fielder there. A single taken.
Dhananjaya de Silva to David Miller. Down the leg side and the umpire has wided it.
Dhananjaya de Silva to David Miller. SIX! Miller gets into the action now. He says, enough of defending the deliveries. Uses his feet, gets to the pitch of the ball and hits it over the bowler's head for a biggie. 47 in 41 now.
Lahiru Kumara to Andile Phehlukwayo. Another swing and a miss! Not sure if this is needed here. Phehlukwayo makes room and tries to clear the off side but misses.
Lahiru Kumara to Andile Phehlukwayo. FOUR! In the air... but just wide! Another ball which is on the leg stump line, Andile flicks it in the air but away from the fielder at mid-wicket. Second boundary in the over.
Lahiru Kumara to Andile Phehlukwayo. Outside off, Andile looks to slash but misses. A hat-trick of dots...
Lahiru Kumara to Andile Phehlukwayo. Another dot. Full and straight, hit back towards the bowler who has a needless shy at the striker's end, missing them by a wide margin towards his left.
Lahiru Kumara to Andile Phehlukwayo. Played to the point region by the batsman.
Lahiru Kumara to Andile Phehlukwayo. FOUR! Bad start to the over. A short ball, around off, Phehlukwayo pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary!
Andile Phehlukwayo walks out to bat.
Dhananjaya de Silva to JP Duminy. OUT! RUN OUT! Second wicket in the over and this is the only way Sri Lanka could have got Duminy tonight. Brilliant by Shanaka, can he do anything wrong in this game? Once again this was bowled flatter on off, JP punches it towards covers and sets off for a run. Shanaka gets to the ball quickly, picks it up, he has one stump to aim at and he hits bull's eye. Duminy continues running towards the dressing room as he knows he is well short. Sri Lanka start celebrating and the crowd here are ecstatic. Game on.
Dhananjaya de Silva to David Miller. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Dhananjaya de Silva to David Miller. On the stumps again, Miller plays a back foot defense.
Dhananjaya de Silva to David Miller. Flatter and on off, Miller goes back and blocks it out.
David Miller walks out next.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Heinrich Klaasen. OUT! So Klaasen who was desperately trying to get out, perishes courtesy an excellent catch by Mathews. De Silva gets his first. He fires it on the stumps, Klaasen makes room and once again tries to go over covers. He does not get the elevation though and it goes quickly to the left of Mathews. He moves swiftly and takes a tumbling catch. Throws the ball in the air in joy and Sri Lanka can still believe. 62 more needed.
Dhananjaya de Silva to JP Duminy. Very full and on the pads, Duminy tries to flick but misses it get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards short third man for a run.
Lahiru Kumara to Heinrich Klaasen. Again, just out of the reach of the fielder. Luck too going South Africa's way. Just behind a length on middle, Klaasen goes for the pull but gets it nowhere off the middle. It goes high up in the air towards long on. Tharanga from mid on runs back but fails to reach it. Another brace.
Lahiru Kumara to JP Duminy. A good yorker on middle, all Duminy can do is jam it out towards covers for a run.
Lahiru Kumara to Heinrich Klaasen. Similar length to the last ball but offers width this time. HK slashes it through point for a single.
Lahiru Kumara to Heinrich Klaasen. Back of a length, closer to the off pole. Klaasen keeps it out.
Lahiru Kumara to Heinrich Klaasen. In the air... but falls just short. Good fielding in the end by the substitute Shehan Jayasuriya. Kumara bowls it full and outside off, Klaasen tries to go over covers but ends up slicing it towards sweeper cover. The fielder there runs to his left but fails to reach the ball. He though does well to stop it on the bounce. The batsmen run two.
Lahiru Kumara to Heinrich Klaasen. Starts off with an expected shorter in length delivery, HK rocks back and defends it onto the ground.
Lahiru Kumara is back on.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Heinrich Klaasen. Dropped short, pulled towards deep mid-wicket for one more.
Dhananjaya de Silva to JP Duminy. Full on middle, pushed towards long on for another single.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Heinrich Klaasen. Another cut shot, this time behind point for one.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Heinrich Klaasen. FOUR! What a shot. Just a tad short, in line of the stumps, Klaasen picks it, takes it from the sticks and punches it through the covers. Had he missed it, he would have been cleaned up. Moves to 10 from 5 balls - 2 fours. The stand is worth 11 from 6 balls.
Dhananjaya de Silva to JP Duminy. Punches this down to long off for a run.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Heinrich Klaasen. Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.
Akila Dananjaya to Heinrich Klaasen. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Akila Dananjaya to Heinrich Klaasen. FOUR! 'Oh yes!' screams an excited Mbangwa on air. Tossed up wide outside off, it is the leg spinner, Klaasen reads it, picks it and lofts it over wide mid off for a boundary! 79 more needed from 67 balls.
Akila Dananjaya to Heinrich Klaasen. On middle, punched back to the bowler who misfields and parries it towards long on. Duminy wants a single but Klaasen asks him to stay where he is.
In comes the exciting Heinrich Klaasen.
Akila Dananjaya to Hashim Amla. OUT! Taken! Sri Lanka manage to get the breakthrough. Full and wide outside off, Amla looks to go hard at that, over the off side, but ends up slicing it. The result is a thick outside edge, not going where he intended to, but towards backward point instead where Lahiru Kumara does not drop it.Hashim falls 10 short of a half century but just get the feeling that this 57-run stand might have sealed the deal for the tourists.
Akila Dananjaya to JP Duminy. The ball strikes the batsman very low on the pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. The umpire signals a leg bye.
Akila Dananjaya to JP Duminy. SIX! THRASH! That is another terrific shot. Flighted on middle, Duminy jumps out of his crease and slogs it well over mid-wicket. 84 more needed from 71 balls. JP moves to 34 from 17 balls - 3 fours, 2 sixes.
Akila Dananjaya to JP Duminy. WIDE. Full and outside leg, Duminy looks to sweep but misses. 50-RUN STAND IS UP, in just 26 balls.
Dhananjaya de Silva to JP Duminy. Comes down the track and drives it towards long off for a single to raise the 100 FOR SOUTH AFRICA. Just 91 more needed from 72 balls.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Hashim Amla. Now Hashim comes down the track and bunts it over his partner towards long off for a single.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Hashim Amla. Full and outside leg, following Amla, driven back to the bowler.
Dhananjaya de Silva to JP Duminy. The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
Dhananjaya de Silva to JP Duminy. That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads.
Dhananjaya de Silva to JP Duminy. WIDE. Darted down the leg side, Duminy tries to whip it fine but misses.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Hashim Amla. Full and around off, bunted through mid-wicket for a single.
Another change. Dhananjaya de Silva to bowl.
Akila Dananjaya to JP Duminy. DROPPED! Lakmal is the culprit. Full and outside leg, Duminy looks to play the reverse sweep but cannot quite find the gap. Hits it straight to Suranga Lakmal at cover, who well, puts it down.
Akila Dananjaya to Hashim Amla. Full and around off, worked through mid-wicket for one.
Akila Dananjaya to JP Duminy. Comes down the track and flicks it towards deep square leg for a run.
Akila Dananjaya to Hashim Amla. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Akila Dananjaya to Hashim Amla. FOUR! CARESSED! Tossed up outside off, Amla leans into this one and drives it through the covers for a boundary! The stand moves to 41 from 16 balls. 99 more needed from 82 balls.
Akila Dananjaya to Hashim Amla. 'AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH'! A huge cry for a caught behind from Sri Lanka. The response? A signal for a wide from the umpire. Absolutely not interested. Sri Lanka do not even take the review. What a farce. Full and down the leg side, Amla looks to paddle but misses. The keeper first shouts for the catch, then the bowler joins but to no avail. Mathews starts to walk up for a chat regarding the review but is sent back by Dickwella.
Akila Dananjaya to JP Duminy. Full and outside off, driven towards long off for a single.
Akila Dananjaya is back on.
Dasun Shanaka to JP Duminy. The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. 12 from that over, 30 from the last 2!
Dasun Shanaka to JP Duminy. FOUR! And now he is being helped by some average bowling. A length ball, down the leg side, tickled towards the fine leg fence. 106 more needed from 85 balls.
Dasun Shanaka to JP Duminy. FOUR! Wow. Has JP Duminy struck any ball better than in this innings? Pommie Mbangwa is testing all our cricket fans' memory by asking this question on air. I certainly don't remember. Tonight, he is playing with that air of 'I-am-invincible' confidence. Jumps down the track, converts the length ball into a half volley and boom. Crashes it through the covers for a boundary.
Dasun Shanaka to Hashim Amla. Full and outside off, Amla leans and drives it through the covers for a single.
Dasun Shanaka to JP Duminy. Defended off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Dasun Shanaka to Hashim Amla. A direct hit might have been interesting. Amla works this wide of mid-wicket and sets off for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Replays are inconclusive.
Lahiru Kumara to JP Duminy. FOUR LEG BYES! Down the leg side, Duminy tries to tick it fine but the ball goes off his pads past the keeper behind, to the fine leg fence. 18 from that over - the most expensive one of the innings! 117 more needed from 90 balls. The stand is already worth 23 from 8 balls.
Lahiru Kumara to JP Duminy. A short ball outside leg, JP has no idea about that one, looks to fend it off as the ball kicks through the surface. He is not even watching the ball as it goes off the bat handle through square leg. The running is excellent as the batsmen return for the second.
Lahiru Kumara to JP Duminy. SIX! TAKE THAT! Did we say everyone seems to be in a hurry? You bet, they are! A short ball, dropped around middle and leg, Duminy takes a couple of steps towards the bowler and pulls it with all his might. The contact is good enough and the ball sails over the mid-wicket fence! Moves to 12 from just 4 balls.
Lahiru Kumara to JP Duminy. FOUR! Bad bowling. A short ball, outside leg, Duminy just pulls it through fine leg for a boundary. All the Protea batsmen seem to be in a hurry.
Lahiru Kumara to Hashim Amla. Outside off, steered towards third man for a run.
Lahiru Kumara to JP Duminy. A short ball, pulled towards long leg for a single.
Another change. Lahiru Kumara into the attack.
Dasun Shanaka to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Well played, sir! A full toss, dipping on middle, Amla does not lose his mettle, just bends a bit and sweeps it, yes sweeps it past short fine leg for a boundary!
Dasun Shanaka to JP Duminy. A short ball, around middle, helped wide of mid-wicket for a single to get off the mark.
JP Duminy walks in at number 4, replacing Hendricks.
Dasun Shanaka to Reeza Hendricks. OUT, DROPPED, CAUGHT! Taken on the rebound and the centurion in the last game departs cheaply in this one. Not the best of wicket-taking deliveries but Shanaka will not complain. A half volley outside off, Hendricks looks to drive this uppishly, over cover. However, he is unable to clear Dhananjaya de Silva at short extra cover who first stops the flow of the ball with his hand, then luckily for himself, sees the ball go up off his palms. Calmly takes it in the second attempt. Sri Lanka are jubilant. They need to keep picking up wickets. As far as Hendricks is concerned, well, that proverb goes for him - 'Everyday is not Sunday'... ahem...
Dasun Shanaka to Hashim Amla. A length ball now, a bit too straight, helped towards long leg for a run.
Dasun Shanaka to Reeza Hendricks. Outside off, Hendricks reaches out and pushes it behind point for a single. 50 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA and we are just into the 5th over...
Dasun Shanaka to Hashim Amla. The batsman has played it to the point region. One run added to the total.
Dasun Shanaka introduced as well. Mathews ringing in the changes. Powerplay 2 signalled as well. 4 fielders allowed outside the circle till the 17th over.
Thisara Perera to Hashim Amla. Driven towards the mid on region. They pick up a single. 14 from that over, 27 in the last 2! South Africa end Powerplay 1 in style - 48/1.
Thisara Perera to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Excellent batting! Amla seems to be continuing from where he left off on Sunday. A length ball outside off again, this time Amla does not shuffle across. Albeit, he just whips it wide of mid on, in the air, towards long on for a boundary!
Thisara Perera to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Superb shot. Excellent wristwork. Not a bad ball at all. Thisara bowls it on a length close to the off stump and what does Amla do? Gets across and whips it efficiently past short fine leg for a boundary. 148 more needed from 104 balls.
Thisara Perera to Reeza Hendricks. Huge appeal for LBW but it is not given as it is BBW. Massive inside edge involved. Thisara bowls this on a length outside off, Hendricks looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. A quick single taken.
Thisara Perera to Hashim Amla. Full and outside off, Amla gets a long way across and clips it wide of mid on for a single.
Thisara Perera to Hashim Amla. WIDE. Shuffles across his sticks and Perera bowls it down the leg side. Amla misses his flick.
Thisara Perera to Hashim Amla. Full and too straight, clipped behind square on the leg side for a couple.
The hero of the previous game, Reeza Hendricks, walks out to bat. What can he do tonight? Meanwhile, Thisara Perera comes on to bowl as well. Amla will face him.
Suranga Lakmal to Quinton de Kock. OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Lakmal has the last laugh. He gets a wicket on a full toss. He dishes out a high one. De Kock clears his front leg and tries to hit it through the off side but misses it completely and the ball hits the off pole. De Kock stands there in disbelief and then has a look at the umpire as he feels it is a no ball but the umpire has his hands down and de Kock has to walk back cheaply in his first outing as captain. A much-needed wicket for Sri Lanka. Can they now build on this?
Suranga Lakmal to Hashim Amla. Excellent batting this! Put away the good balls and respect the bad ones. That is exactly what the two batsmen are doing. On a length and around off, Amla taps it towards point and gets to the other end.
Suranga Lakmal to Quinton de Kock. Clips it with the angle through the leg side and gets to the other end.
Suranga Lakmal to Quinton de Kock. SIX! WOW! What a hit! Probably the shot of the game. De Kock makes room and Lakmal follows him but bowls it a touch too full. QDK shows the full face of the bat and lofts it over the bowler's head. The timing is such that it has carried all the way.
Suranga Lakmal to Hashim Amla. Once again the leg stump line, Amla this time works it through square leg and gets to the other end.
Suranga Lakmal to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Poor line to start with straightaway. Down the leg side and Amla is too good a batsman to miss out. He works it fine down the leg side and a boundary results.
Finally, we are now getting underway! Out come the umpires along with the Sri Lankan players. They are followed by the openers, Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock. Suranga Lakmal will continue his spell. Here we go...
2155 local update - Hurrah! We are going to have a game after all! 21 overs allotted after all the reductions - target being 191. Who will be the happier side? Of course, if it does not rain... will we get a completed match?
2140 local update - Hmmm... well, good news... hopefully. The rain has stopped and the umpires are going to have an inspection in 15 minutes. But the catch is - play must start around 10 pm local. Just imagine... all the hard work down the drain for Sri Lanka if this is washed out. Fingers crossed...
2115 local - Good news! The rain has now stopped and the covers have been peeled off. Let us hope we have a resumption soon.
2045 local - Uh oh! Another break. It is more of a precautionary one as the umpires have looked at the ground staff who seem to be ready to take the covers on. Ohhh... as I type that, it is coming down heavily. And now as I typed that, it is almost gone! Hopefully, we should not have a big delay.
Akila Dananjaya to Quinton de Kock. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Akila Dananjaya to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Good shot. On a length outside off, de Kock goes back and punches it through the covers.
Akila Dananjaya to Quinton de Kock. That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads.
Akila Dananjaya to Quinton de Kock. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
Akila Dananjaya to Hashim Amla. In the air... safe! Hashim gets lucky now after de Kock in the previous over. He attempts anoter sweep but this time gets a top edge. Luckily for him, Suranga Lakmal, who was moved finer after the boundary, cannot get there. Had he been in the position as on the previous ball, he would have taken the catch with the ball landing around backward square leg. A single taken.
Akila Dananjaya to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Bad start. Full and outside leg, Amla gets down and paddles it past the man at short fine leg. 4000 ODI runs as a pair for Amla and de Kock - the first South African pair to do so and 11th overall.
Spin straightaway! Akila Dananjaya to bowl with the second new ball.
Suranga Lakmal to Quinton de Kock. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
Suranga Lakmal to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! The batsman works it down the leg side. The ball races to the boundary. The umpire signals four runs.
Suranga Lakmal to Quinton de Kock. Full and straight, driven back to the bowler.
Suranga Lakmal to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Streaky! Lucky boundary for the skipper. On a length outside off, Quinton looks to punch it through the off side but is too far from the ball. Gets a thick inside edge which flies past the off stump. The Lankan keeper is moving to his left and hence is wrong-footed. The ball goes to his right and races to the fine leg fence. 4000 ODI runs for Quinton de Kock - the 12th Protea to achieve this feat and 6th fastest overall.
Suranga Lakmal to Quinton de Kock. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. They manage to come back for the second.
Suranga Lakmal to Quinton de Kock. On a length outside off, de Kock looks to punch it through the off side but is too close to the ball and gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
What? They are back!!! Could not even prepare my coffee, let alone finish it. Sigh. But work comes first. The beverages can wait. Let us begin. Suranga Lakmal to Quinton de Kock will start off proceedings for this run chase. Hashim Amla is his partner. Here we go...