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SA beat SL by 16 runs | South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Highlights And Cricket Score 2nd T20I Match - Commentary
Sri Lanka in South Africa, 3 T20I Series, 2019
Date: Mar 22, 2019 Start Time: 21:30 IST | 16:00 GMT | 18:00 LocalVenue: SuperSport Park, Centurion
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South Africa vs Sri Lanka Highlights And Cricket Score 2nd Match - T20I Commentary
181 needed to win. Any given side can chase or defend. However, given Sri Lanka's lackluster performance with the bat, the chances of 180 being defended appear higher. Stay tuned...
Jeffrey Vandersay is on the sidelines for an interview with Mike Haysman. He says that his team is confident of chasing this total down. Reckons they did not execute their plans with the ball but still believe that they can win. Mentions it is tough to be a bowler in these conditions. Informs us it was fun watching the previous game from the dug out. Hopes that his team's openers can provide a good start and signs off by saying that Sri Lanka are quite upbeat about chasing down the target since the ball is coming on to the bat well.
South Africa will be happy with the total but they will believe they could have got 20 more. Some tactical decisions - like sending Duminy ahead of the in-form Miller could backfire. Duminy did end up scoring 33 from 17 balls but the first few deliveries he took to get adjusted, could prove the decisive factor. Hendricks did good justice to his World Cup chances with a fluent half century while Rassie van der Dussen continues to knock on the doors for a visa to travel in the month of May.
There is nothing in the pitch but Lasith Malinga was once again at his best. 4-0-26-1 on a day with nothing happening from the heavens or from the surface beneath. But he did not get much support from the rest. Akila Dananjaya and Jeffrey Vandersay tried exerting some control in the middle overs but could not quite take wickets. Eventually, the Hendricks-van der Dussen stand started to pick out the bones and the run rate started to rise. At one stage, even 200 was looking likely but the Lankans managed to dish in some quiet overs after Hendricks was dismissed.
That is a more than competitive total posted by the Proteas. 180 is a good score on any track and the home side will back itself to defend this one. Having said that, the Proteas will know that this is a good pitch and if they scored 180, Sri Lanka too, can get 181.
Thisara Perera to David Miller. FOUR! How did David Miller pick that? Outstanding shot from him. Full again on leg, Miller looks to flick but loses balance. His right leg is in the air but somehow, he connects his flick shot well and sends the ball whistling through square leg for a boundary! 15 runs from the final over and SOUTH AFRICA FINISH ON 180/3!
Thisara Perera to JP Duminy. Full on middle, Duminy flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.
Thisara Perera to David Miller. NOT OUT! Wow. An inside edge has been detected. Sri Lanka lose their review. Full on leg, Miller looked to flick but got hit on the pads. Thisara Perera appealed but the umpire shook his head. Thisara was convinced that he wanted the review and Malinga agreed. However, Ultra Edge showed a spike when the ball went past the bat.
A review. In the final over of the innings. Thisara has convinced Malinga that Miller is plumb LBW. The southpaw has been caught on the pads while attempting a flick. Where did the ball pitch? Where did it hit?
Thisara Perera to JP Duminy. Full on middle, Duminy flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Thisara Perera to JP Duminy. Full on middle, Duminy drives it straight past the bowler through mid on. The long on fielder cuts it off. The batsmen get two runs.
Oops... some communication or miscommunication. Malinga wants mid off up. Thisara wants mid off back. There is a lot of time-wasting done and eventually, the mid off fielder drops back.
Thisara Perera to JP Duminy. SIX! Nice start to the last over for South Africa. THAT IS WHACKED AWAY! Full on leg, Duminy flicks it over square leg for a biggie.
Thisara Perera comes on to bowl the final over as the song, 'We will, we will, rock you!' is being played loudly in the stands. Can South Africa cross 180?
Lasith Malinga to JP Duminy. Length delivery on middle, Duminy flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run. 8 runs off the Malinga over.
Lasith Malinga to David Miller. BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Miller looks to swing at this one but gets beaten on this one. It goes towards Dickwella who fumbles and gives the batsmen an easy run. The umpire gives it as a bye.
Lasith Malinga to David Miller. On a good length on middle, Miller looks to slog but misses the line completely.
Lasith Malinga to JP Duminy. Short delivery again, Duminy pulls it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen cross ends.
Lasith Malinga to JP Duminy. FOUR! Wonderful shot. Short of a length delivery, Duminy pulls it over square leg for a boundary.
Lasith Malinga to David Miller. Length delivery on leg, Miller looks to flick but gets hit low on the pads. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen take a single. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.
Isuru Udana to JP Duminy. SIX! Superb shot! This is JP Duminy at his best. Full and outside off, Duminy takes the aerial route and lofts it over covers for a maximum. Again, the bottom hand comes into play. 15 runs have come from the over. This is terrific batting from South Africa.
Isuru Udana to David Miller. Length delivery on off, David plays it towards point for a single.
Isuru Udana to JP Duminy. Short delivery, Duminy pulls it towards mid-wicket for a single.
Isuru Udana to JP Duminy. WIDE! Harsh call from the umpire. This was bowled wide outside off, Duminy moves well across the stumps and lets it go. Dickwella and Udana argue with the umpire that Duminy was well across the sticks but the umpire says that the ball was further than the second wide line. Replays do not seem to show that...
Isuru Udana to JP Duminy. FOUR! WHAT A SHOT! Great use of the bottom hand from Duminy. Full and outside off, JP Duminy hits it over extra cover for a boundary.
Isuru Udana to David Miller. Short delivery, Miller pulls it over mid on for a single.
Isuru Udana to JP Duminy. Full and outside off, almost a yorker, squeezed down to long on for a single.
Akila Dananjaya to JP Duminy. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
Akila Dananjaya to JP Duminy. A loud shout for LBW, turned down. Probably the impact was outside off. The skidder, outside off, Duminy stayed back to work it to the leg side but missed and was hit on the pads. Akila smiles after the appeal is turned down. Probably he too realizes that the impact was outside off, when Dickwella told him.
Akila Dananjaya to David Miller. Around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a run.
Akila Dananjaya to JP Duminy. Full and around off, pushed through the covers for a single.
Akila Dananjaya to David Miller. The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
Here he is. Killer Miller. At number 5.
Akila Dananjaya to Rassie van der Dussen. OUT! BOWLED! The dangerous Rassie departs after a well made 64. A much needed breakthrough for Sri Lanka. It was a tossed up delivery on middle, van der Dussen came down the track to go big but ended up yorking himself. The ball sneaked through and disturbed the timber. The hosts lose their third wicket and this could be a big dent in their final score.
Isuru Udana to Rassie van der Dussen. Full again on middle, van der Dussen drives it towards mid on for a single. 10 runs have come from the over.
Isuru Udana to Rassie van der Dussen. WIDE! Bowls full and wide outside off, Dussen looks to go after this one but misses it.
Isuru Udana to Rassie van der Dussen. FOUR! Poor delivery from Isru Udana. Low full toss on middle, van der Dussen flicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Isuru Udana to JP Duminy. Bowls a slower ball on off, Duminy plays it towards covers for a run.
Isuru Udana to Rassie van der Dussen. On a length outside off, Dussen looks to slog but it goes off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket for a run.
Isuru Udana to JP Duminy. Full and outside off, Duminy plays it towards covers for a single.
Isuru Udana to Rassie van der Dussen. Low full toss outside off, Rassie drives it through mid off for a single.
Isuru Udana is back on. 2-0-14-1 so far.
Lasith Malinga to Rassie van der Dussen. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
Lasith Malinga to JP Duminy. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single.
Lasith Malinga to Rassie van der Dussen. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
JP Duminy walks in next.
Lasith Malinga to Reeza Hendricks. OUT! Caught! The slower ball does the trick for Malinga. Rolls his fingers over the ball, lands it on a length, Hendricks looks to flick but is a touch early into the shot. The ball takes the leading edge and dies down towards mid off but Kamindu Mendis comes running in, keeps his eyes on the ball and dives forward to take a wonderful catch. The 116-run association is broken at last. Can Sri Lanka pull things back from here?
Lasith Malinga to Rassie van der Dussen. Nothing much on the Free Hit, just a pull off a short ball behind square leg. A run taken.
Lasith Malinga to Rassie van der Dussen. A NO BALL NOW. Not for overstepping. But because this is the second high bouncer of the over and accordingly signalled. Another slower ball bouncer, this time Rassie goes for the pull but misses.
FREE HIT TIME.
Lasith Malinga to Rassie van der Dussen. WIDE. A slower bouncer, around off, van der Dussen thinks about the pull but then bails out. Wide signalled for height.
Lasith Malinga to Rassie van der Dussen. FOUR! How did he play that? And what did he play? Full and wide outside off, van der Dussen reaches out and carves a square drive behind point for a boundary!
Lasith Malinga returns. 2-0-10-0 so far.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Rassie van der Dussen. 50 for Rassie van der Dussen. 2nd T20I fifty for him. It has been an outstanding innings from him. On a length on middle, Rassie flicks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen change ends. 8 runs have come from the over. They can get to 210 from here.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Reeza Hendricks. Floated on middle, Reeza drives it towards mid on. The batsmen cross ends.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Reeza Hendricks. FOUR! Terrific shot. Full and outside off, Hendricks drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Reeza Hendricks. Full on off, Hendricks drives it to mid off.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Rassie van der Dussen. Short delivery on off, van der Dussen pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Reeza Hendricks. Short and outside off, Hendricks makes room and cuts it towards point where Dhananjaya de Silva does well to stop it. The batsmen take a run. Brilliant fielding from Dhananjaya.
Kamindu Mendis to Reeza Hendricks. On middle and off, worked through mid-wicket for a single.
Kamindu Mendis to Rassie van der Dussen. Driven towards the mid on region. One run added to the total.
Kamindu Mendis to Reeza Hendricks. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single.
Kamindu Mendis to Reeza Hendricks. MISFIELD, FOUR! Ordinary from Udana. Full and outside off, Hendricks leans and drives it through cover-point. Isuru Udana gets to the ball from sweeper cover but in his anxiety to pick the ball up, he loses focus and the ball slips through.
Kamindu Mendis to Reeza Hendricks. FOUR! FIFTY FOR HENDRICKS! After a slow start, Reeza has slowly picked his pace. Short and outside off, Hendricks goes back and cuts it through point for a boundary!
Kamindu Mendis to Rassie van der Dussen. A left-arm to start. Around off, van der Dussen comes down the track and pushes it down to long off for a single.
Kamindu Mendis into the attack now. What will he bowl first? Left-arm or right-arm?
Jeffrey Vandersay to Reeza Hendricks. Tossed up on middle, Hendricks plays it through mid on. The batsmen get two runs. Good bowling by Vandersay. Just 4 runs from the over.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Rassie van der Dussen. Full on middle, Rassie drives it towards mid on for a single.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Rassie van der Dussen. Full toss on off, van der Dussen again plays a reverse sweep to short third man.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Rassie van der Dussen. Floated on middle, Dussen plays a reverse sweep to short third man.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Rassie van der Dussen. Short and outside off, Rassie looks to cut but misses it.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Reeza Hendricks. Tossed up on middle, Hendricks tucks it towards the leg side for a single.
Jeffrey Vandersay is back into the attack.
Akila Dananjaya to Rassie van der Dussen. Flicks this through mid-wicket for a couple. A dozen from this over to follow 19 from the previous one. Is 200 on?
Akila Dananjaya to Reeza Hendricks. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a run.
Akila Dananjaya to Reeza Hendricks. FOUR! Hendricks is meaning business now. Dropped short, Reeza goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket for another boundary!
Akila Dananjaya to Reeza Hendricks. FOUR! Lovely shot. Full and outside off, Hendricks comes down the track and lofts it over cover for a boundary.
Akila Dananjaya to Reeza Hendricks. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Akila Dananjaya to Rassie van der Dussen. Comes down the track and works it through mid-wicket for a single.
Thisara Perera to Reeza Hendricks. FOUR! Cracking shot. Short delivery, Hendricks pulls it through square leg for a boundary. A massive over for the Proteas. 19 from it.
Thisara Perera to Rassie van der Dussen. On the shorter side, van der Dussen plays it towards square leg for a run.
Thisara Perera to Rassie van der Dussen. SIX! Second six in the over. This is even better from Rassie. Full on off, van der Dussen moves across and plays a slog over mid-wicket again for a maximum. This is just demolishing the bowlers.
Thisara Perera to Reeza Hendricks. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single.
Thisara Perera to Rassie van der Dussen. Dropped short, pulled away for a single.
Thisara Perera to Rassie van der Dussen. SIX! Out of the park! What about that for a strike. Rassie is turning it on here. Length delivery on middle, van der Dussen plays a slog over mid-wicket for a biggie.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Reeza Hendricks. The batsman failed to make contact and was hit low on the pads. The fielding side is asking the question. The umpire decides the batsman is not out.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Reeza Hendricks. Dropped short, Hendricks goes back and drags it via a pull wide of long on. Two runs taken.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Reeza Hendricks. Full again, driven through the covers for a couple more.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Rassie van der Dussen. Very full outside off, punched through the covers for one.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Reeza Hendricks. A full toss now, outside off, driven down to long off for a run.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Rassie van der Dussen. Full and outside off, eased through mid off for a single.
Thisara Perera to Rassie van der Dussen. On a length on middle, Rassie nudges it towards square leg for a run. 11 runs have come from this over. Big over for the hosts.
Thisara Perera to Rassie van der Dussen. SIX! First six of the innings. WHAT A SHOT! Outstanding batting from Rassie. Low full toss on off, van der Dussen gets on one knee and slogs it over mid-wicket for a maximum.
Thisara Perera to Reeza Hendricks. Length delivery on middle, Hendricks flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Thisara Perera to Rassie van der Dussen. On a length and outside off, Dussen covers the line of the stumps and plays it towards covers for a single.
Thisara Perera to Reeza Hendricks. Length delivery on middle, Hendricks flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Thisara Perera to Rassie van der Dussen. Full on middle, Dussen flicks it wide of mid on for a single.
Thisara Perera is now onto bowl.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Rassie van der Dussen. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Reeza Hendricks. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Reeza Hendricks. Another wrong 'un, outside off, Reeza looks to push it through the off side but is beaten by the ball spinning in. Goes right through his legs and the keeper fumbles but manages to cling on and save byes.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Rassie van der Dussen. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Reeza Hendricks. Outside off, steered through third man for three.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Reeza Hendricks. Full and down the leg side, a googly, Hendricks misses his flick and is hit on the pads.
Akila Dananjaya to Reeza Hendricks. Floated on middle, Reeza drives it through mid on for a run. Expensive over from Akila. 11 runs have come from the over. At the end of Powerplay, South Africa are 39/1.
The keeper has spotted something and asked the bowler to stop right away. Maybe a fielder in the wrong place...
Akila Dananjaya to Rassie van der Dussen. Full on middle, Dussen drives it towards mid on for a run.
Akila Dananjaya to Reeza Hendricks. Tossed up on middle, Reeza flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Akila Dananjaya to Reeza Hendricks. FOUR! Consecutive boundaries from Reeza Hendricks. Terrific shot. Floated outside off, Hendricks plays it over wide mid off for a boundary.
Akila Dananjaya to Reeza Hendricks. FOUR! This is good batting for South Africa. Tossed up on middle, Hendricks comes down the track and hits it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Akila Dananjaya to Reeza Hendricks. Tossed up on off, Hendricks plays it to point.
Isuru Udana to Reeza Hendricks. On a good length on middle, Hendricks cuts it towards point for a run. 8 runs have come from the over.
Isuru Udana to Rassie van der Dussen. On a length on middle, Dussen nudges it towards square leg for a run.
Isuru Udana to Rassie van der Dussen. Full on off, Rassie drives it straight back towards the bowler where Udana stops it with his left foot.
Isuru Udana to Rassie van der Dussen. FOUR! Nice shot. He made good use of his feet. Length delivery on middle, Dussen comes down the track and lofts it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Isuru Udana to Reeza Hendricks. Full on middle, Hendricks drives it towards mid on for a run.
Isuru Udana to Rassie van der Dussen. Full on leg, Rassie looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen take a run.
Akila Dananjaya to Reeza Hendricks. Full on middle, Hendricks drives it to mid on. Good start from Akila Dananjaya. Just 4 runs from the over.
Akila Dananjaya to Rassie van der Dussen. Tossed up on middle, Dussen plays it towards mid on for a run.
Akila Dananjaya to Reeza Hendricks. Tossed up on middle and leg, Hendricks flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Akila Dananjaya to Rassie van der Dussen. Flighted delivery on leg, Markram flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Akila Dananjaya to Reeza Hendricks. Floated on middle, Reeza flicks it towards square leg for a run.
Akila Dananjaya to Reeza Hendricks. Tossed up on middle, Hendricks defends it out.
Time for spin. Akila Dananjaya is into the attack.
Lasith Malinga to Rassie van der Dussen. Outside off, punched through point for a brace.
Lasith Malinga to Rassie van der Dussen. Outside off, on a good length, Rassie plays inside the line and is beaten as the ball moves away.
Lasith Malinga to Rassie van der Dussen. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Lasith Malinga to Rassie van der Dussen. Outside off, pushed straight to point.
Lasith Malinga to Reeza Hendricks. Outside off, on a length, Hendricks plays away from the body and pushes it loosely, behind point for a single.
Lasith Malinga to Reeza Hendricks. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Isuru Udana to Rassie van der Dussen. FOUR! Cracking shot from Rassie van der Dussen. First ball boundary for him. Full and outside off, Dussen drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary. 6 runs and a wicket from this over.
Rassie van der Dussen is the new batsman in.
Isuru Udana to Aiden Markram. OUT! Not a great debut for Markram! He looked to cut loose and the ball was available but he holes out at mid on. A fuller length ball on the pads, Aiden looked to flick it over the head of mid on for a boundary but he does not generate enough power. The ball lobs up and goes to the right of mid on where Malinga moves and takes a good catch. Maybe the batsman should have looked to go a little more squarer there, the bat turned in his hand as he played the shot. A tad early into the attempted loft as well. Anyways, Sri Lanka have struck early here, just the start they would have liked.
Isuru Udana to Reeza Hendricks. Full on leg, Hendricks flicks it towards square leg for a run.
Isuru Udana to Reeza Hendricks. On a good length on middle, Hendricks defends it from the crease.
Isuru Udana to Aiden Markram. On a length on middle, Aiden flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Isuru Udana to Aiden Markram. On a good length on middle, Markram defends it off the back foot.
Isuru Udana to bowl from the other end.
Lasith Malinga to Aiden Markram. Short and outside off, Aiden cuts it through point for a run. 7 runs came off the over. Good start for South Africa.
Lasith Malinga to Reeza Hendricks. Length delivery on middle, Hendricks flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Lasith Malinga to Reeza Hendricks. BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Hendricks looks to slash hard but misses due to the outward movement on this one.
Lasith Malinga to Reeza Hendricks. On a good length on off, Hendricks plays it to point.
Lasith Malinga to Reeza Hendricks. FOUR! First boundary for South Africa. Short and outside off, Hendricks smashes it through point for a boundary. That went like a tracer bullet.
Lasith Malinga to Aiden Markram. Starts with a good length on middle, Markram plays it towards third man for a single. Aiden Markram is off the mark.
We are all set to begin. The players and umpires are out in the middle. Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram will open the batting for South Africa. Lasith Malinga will start the proceedings for Sri Lanka.
TEAM CHANGES - Plenty of changes. Amongst the ones worth noticing, Sinethemba Qeshile is making his debut for the hosts and surprisingly, Aiden Markram is also making his debut.
TOSS - Time for the toss. Sri Lanka have won the toss and have elected to field first.
Hello and a warm welcome to the second T20I between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Centurion. The hosts won a close match in the last game thanks to the Super Over. They will be missing their main players. JP Duminy will be captaining the side and he would want his team to put up a better batting performance today. David Miller may continue his keeping duties. On the other hand, Sri Lanka would be confident and would take inspiration from their last game and play better in this one. They need to bat well because that has been their weakness in the ODI series as well. The bowlers have done well and would look to emulate the same performance as in the last game.
Right! 2-0 to South Africa, or shall we say, 7-0 to the Proteas, ever since the Tests ended. The Lankans simply have found no arsenal to build on their Test series win and will need to find some magic to try and avoid a whitewash. Do join us on Sunday, March 24, 2019 at Johannesburg at 2.30 pm local (1230 GMT) for all the action from the third and final T20I. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Victorious South African skipper, JP Duminy, feels that it is a very satisfying series win, albeit with a few areas to brush up upon but reckons that it was a complete performance in this game. Praises Hendricks and van der Dussen for staging that century partnership. On Steyn, he calls him a champion, setting things himself in the Powerplay, along with Chris Morris. On Morris, he is amazed with the stuff he provides with the new ball and also at the end. Praises Isuru Udana for his terrific knock but will take the win. On his dropped catch and then affecting the run out. JP says that he was fortunate that the ball did not go far after he dropped it. Is looking forward for the final game on Sunday, aiming to end the series on a high.
RASSIE VAN DER DUSSEN HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. On his record stand with Hendricks, Rassie says that both the players compliment each other nicely and enjoyed their partnership. Adds that Hendricks scores in different areas than him and hence bowling to both of them would be difficult and the pair exploited exactly that. On his World Cup chances, van der Dussen says that he can only work on the opportunities he gets and continue to work harder. On his game plans, Rassie says that one just needs to be aware about all oppositions, one's strengths and one's weaknesses. Adds that now he will rest but tomorrow he will check and analyze how he played tonight.
Sri Lankan skipper, Lasith Malinga, feels that the Lankans bowled well at the start but lost it towards the end. Reckons that 175 was a gettable target on a good pitch like this. Praises Isuru Udana for his fight but laments the lack of support for him. Admits that the first six overs need a partnership to set the tone, which is the talk in the dressing room but throughout the tour, his team has not had it and hopes that the players learn. Praises Udana again for knowing his responsibility and batting sensibly. On himself being 2 wickets away from becoming the leading wicket-taker in T20Is, Malinga smiles and says that he will continue giving his best and just try to restrict the flow of runs. On his near future, Lasith says that he will continue to play as long as his body allows him to and will give it his all in every game.
Save aside that assault from Udana, otherwise it was a good bowling scorecard for the home side. Dale Steyn struck twice in the very first over while Morris broke the backbone of the Lankan innings taking 2 in one over. Sipamla had a tough outing but Pretorius and Shamsi ensured that things were in control. Please do stay tuned for the presentation...
An unbeaten 84 from 48 balls, with 8 fours and 6 sixes. Spare a thought for this man - Isuru Udana Tillakaratna. He came out all guns blazing and took the Protean attack to the cleaners, bashing everyone. Had he got some support at the other end, who knows, Sri Lanka might have even pulled off a coup.
Chasing 181 to win, one needed a good start, if one is a batting team. Instead, South Africa got a terrific start with the ball. 1/1, 5/2, 31/3, 31/4, 56/5... the wickets just kept falling one after the other. In fact at one stage, the Lankans were falling well short of even 100 but Udana's heroics got them so close.
Not a bad effort from Sri Lanka at all. Sorry. From Isuru Udana. He has single-handedly brought the Lankans so close, probably within a couple of bad balls within victory. But to be honest, the Lankans did not deserve to win and they did not.
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. Outside off, pushed towards long on for a single to end the game. JUST A 16-RUN VICTORY FOR SA.
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. SIX! Ho ho ho! The match might be over but not the effort. A short ball, Udana launches into this one and pummels it over mid-wicket!
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. A short ball, outside off, Isuru pulls it uppishly but it almost carries to Reeza Hendricks at deep mid-wicket who dives to take it. Replays show that it was a touch short.
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. SAFE! Comedy of errors. Slower ball, fuller outside off, Udana reaches out to sweep and drags it through mid-wicket. He is initially happy with the single but Vandersay is halfway down the track to shake hands with him. Seeing Udana stationary, Vandersay stops. But now, Isuru starts to run. There is a run out on offer at the striker's end but the throw comes at the bowler's end where Sipamla fumbles. By that time, Vandersay gets in. Now, Sipamla picks the ball and has a shy at the keeper's end but misses. The keeper collects the ball and disturbs the stumps and appeals. It is referred upstairs but replays show that Udana's dive has got him in. Two runs overall.
Confusion, confusion! Is it a run out in the end?
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. Misses out. Without any illegal delivery, this match is done. Full and outside off, IU gives himself room to the leg side again, aims to go off side but finds short extra cover.
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. SIX! Udana continues his party. Moves to 75! Full and outside off, Isuru gives himself room to the leg side, waits for the ball to come to him and swings it over long off!
Jeffrey Vandersay is the last man in. Lutho Sipamla will bowl the final over.
Chris Morris to Lasith Malinga. OUT! TIMBER! Chris Morris has the last laugh. Perfect yorker on middle, Malinga makes room and looks to drive but misses it and gets bowled. He had no clue about that and he paid the price for it. Expensive over from South Africa. 16 runs and a wicket have come from the over. Sri Lanka need 32 runs in the last over to win the match.
Chris Morris to Lasith Malinga. FOUR! Third boundary of the over. Full toss and outside off, Malinga looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man for a boundary.
Chris Morris to Isuru Udana. Full on middle, Udana lofts it over mid on for a run.
Chris Morris to Isuru Udana. SIX! Stand and deliver stuff from Isuru Udana. Full on middle, Udana lofts this straight down the ground for a maximum. He is a player to watch out for.
Chris Morris to Isuru Udana. WIDE! Bowls a bouncer, Udana does well to duck under it. The umpire gives it a wide for height.
Chris Morris to Isuru Udana. FOUR! Terrific shot. Full and outside off, Udana smashes it through covers for a boundary.
Chris Morris to Isuru Udana. Full on off, Udana drives it to covers.
Chris Morris is back on.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Lasith Malinga. FOUR! JUST OVER THE STUMPS! Floated outside off, Malinga looks to defend but the ball spins in, takes the inside edge and goes over the stumps to the fine leg fence!
Tabraiz Shamsi to Lasith Malinga. Full and around middle, Malinga looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
Lasith Malinga comes in at number 10, replacing Akila.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Akila Dananjaya. OUT! TIMBER! There goes the 8th wicket. Sri Lanka do not have choice as they have to go for the shots. Floated well outside off, Dananjaya looks to play against the turn, looking to play the slog sweep but in the process, drags it back onto the stumps.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Isuru Udana. TOP EDGE AND SAFE! Flighted delivery on middle, Udana looks to go big but gets a top edge on this one. It lands in no man's land. It goes towards mid-wicket for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Isuru Udana. Tossed up on off, Udana looks to play a reverse sweep but misses it.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Isuru Udana. FOUR! Great start to the over. Tossed up on middle, Udana gets on one knee and plays a reverse sweep between point and third man for a boundary.
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. IN THE AIR AND SAFE! Short delivery, Udana looks to heave it over mid on but gets a top edge. It lands in no man's land. The batsmen take a single. In the process Udana breaks his bat. 33 runs have come from the last two overs.
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. Bowls a short of a length delivery, Udana looks to hook but misses it completely.
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. SIX! That is colossal! Maiden T20I fifty for him. Outstanding stuff from him. Length delivery on middle, Udana lofts this cleanly over mid-wicket for a maximum! That has gone out of the park!
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. FOUR! Off the inner half! Udana will not mind. He moves to 46! A short ball, around off, Isuru swings hard but the ball goes off the inner half of the bat, past a diving short fine leg to the fence behind!
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. FOUR! WHOOSH! Udana is enjoying himself here. A length ball, outside off, Isuru gets his front leg out of the way and smashes it over cover for a boundary!
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. A length ball outside off, slower in pace, Udana swings hard but misses.
Lutho Sipamla returns. 2-0-12-0 so far.
JP Duminy to Isuru Udana. Floated on off, Isuru plays it towards point for a run. 18 runs have come from the over. Very big over for Sri Lanka and a much-needed one. Sri Lanka need 68 runs in 24 balls.
JP Duminy to Isuru Udana. Tossed up on middle, Udana looks to sweep but misses it and gets hit on the pads.
JP Duminy to Isuru Udana. SIX! Nice use of the Free Hit. Second six of the over. Full toss on middle, Udana lofts it over mid on for a maximum.
JP Duminy to Isuru Udana. NO BALL! Forget the catch, JP Duminy has overstepped! Full toss on leg, Udana lofts it over mid on but does not get the distance on it. It goes to Markram at long on who takes an excellent catch just before the ropes. He is not sure whether he has touched the ropes or not and throws the ball back in play. All that effort in vain. The next ball will be a Free Hit.
Is that a catch? Aiden Markram has taken a cool catch at long on but he is not sure. Wants the umpire to check it upstairs.
JP Duminy to Isuru Udana. FOUR! They need more of these. Tossed up outside off, Udana looks to cut but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man for a boundary.
JP Duminy to Isuru Udana. SIX! Short delivery on leg, Udana pulls it over mid-wicket for a maximum.
JP Duminy to Isuru Udana. Tossed up on middle, Udana plays a reverse sweep to short third man.
Duminy brings himself on now.
Chris Morris to Isuru Udana. Full toss on off, Udana drives it towards mid off for a single.
Chris Morris to Akila Dananjaya. Full on off, Dananjaya drives it towards covers for a run.
Chris Morris to Isuru Udana. Full and outside off, Udana drives it through covers for a run.
Chris Morris to Isuru Udana. Full on off, Udana drives it to mid off.
Chris Morris to Isuru Udana. FOUR! Length delivery on middle, Udana looks to pull but gets an inside edge. It goes towards fine leg for a boundary.
Chris Morris is back into the attack.
Chris Morris to Isuru Udana. Full on off, Udana drives it to mid off.
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. Length delivery on middle, Udana nudges it towards square leg for a run.
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. OUT! That is simply superb from the skipper! It is ironic to say that it is a superb piece of fielding when the fielder drops a sitter but seeing what he has produced after that, makes your hair stand on end. Let us go event by event. Full and outside off, Udana swings high and handsome in the air. The ball almost touches the stratosphere and when it comes down, Duminy is waiting for it at cover. But he is not able to judge the downward path and catches it away from his body, or rather, looks to do so. Puts it down. But then, here comes the main stuff. Duminy gets up in a flash, quickly sensing that the batsmen are looking for the single. Dhananjaya de Silva has come a long way down but Udana has gone nowhere. Duminy quickly picks up the ball and has an under-arm shy at the bowler's end. Hits them and celebrates. The umpire refers it upstairs and replays show that de Silva is well short.
Akila Dananjaya walks in next.
DROPPED, YET OUT? JP Duminy has put down a sitter but has he claimed a run out via a direct hit? He is confident while the umpire has sent it upstairs. Dhananjaya de Silva is the man in question.
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. FOUR! Nice shot. Length delivery outside off, Udana lofts it over extra cover for a boundary.
Lutho Sipamla to Dhananjaya de Silva. Length delivery on middle, Dhananjaya nudges it towards square leg for a run.
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. Full on middle, Udana drives it through mid on for a single.
Lutho Sipamla to Isuru Udana. On a good length on off, Udana defends it off the back foot.
Lutho Sipamla is back on. 1-0-4-0 so far.
Dwaine Pretorius to Dhananjaya de Silva. Length delivery outside off, Dhananjaya guides it towards the keeper.
Dwaine Pretorius to Isuru Udana. Full and outside off, Udana pushes it towards covers. The batsmen cross ends.
Dwaine Pretorius to Isuru Udana. Full on off, Udana drives it to covers.
Dwaine Pretorius to Dhananjaya de Silva. Short delivery, Dhananjaya pulls it towards mid-wicket for a single.
Dwaine Pretorius to Isuru Udana. Short and outside off, Udana cuts it towards point for a run.
Dwaine Pretorius to Dhananjaya de Silva. Short and outside off, Dhananjaya cuts it towards point for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Isuru Udana. Floated on off, Udana plays it to point.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Dhananjaya de Silva. Tossed up on middle, Dhananjaya flicks it towards square leg for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Isuru Udana. Floated on off, Udana defends it towards the off side. The batsmen take a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Isuru Udana. Play and a miss! That missed the off stump by a whisker. Tossed up just outside off, Udana looks to defend but gets beaten due to the spin on this one.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Isuru Udana. Floated on off, Udana keeps it out.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Dhananjaya de Silva. Tossed up on middle, Dhananjaya flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Dwaine Pretorius to Dhananjaya de Silva. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
Dwaine Pretorius to Dhananjaya de Silva. Around off, de Silva hops and blocks.
Dwaine Pretorius to Isuru Udana. Short and wide outside off, punched off the back foot to deep cover for a single.
Dwaine Pretorius to Isuru Udana. FOUR! Good shot! A length ball outside the off stump, Isuru Udana lifts this over the covers for a boundary.
Dwaine Pretorius to Isuru Udana. On a length and top of off stump, Udana defends from the crease.
Dwaine Pretorius to Dhananjaya de Silva. On the pads, worked away wristily for a single by de Silva.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Isuru Udana. Huge shout for LBW, turned down. Inside edge, perhaps. Full and around middle, Udana lunges forward to defend but the ball spins in and takes the inside edge, before hitting him on the pads.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Isuru Udana. Full and around middle, watchfully defended.
Isuru Udana walks in now.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Angelo Perera. OUT! Edged and taken! Shamsi amongst the wickets now. Full and outside off, the googly, Perera pushes at it, lunging well away from the body and gets a thick outside edge. Simple catch to JP Duminy at first slip.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Angelo Perera. Full and outside off, pushed through the covers.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Angelo Perera. Around middle, pushed back to the bowler.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Dhananjaya de Silva. Down the leg side, flicked through fine leg for a single.
Dwaine Pretorius to Dhananjaya de Silva. Length delivery on middle, Dhananjaya flicks it towards square leg for a run. Great over from Pretorius. 5 runs and a wicket have come from the over.
Dwaine Pretorius to Angelo Perera. Bowls it wide and outside off, Angelo reaches and plays it towards mid off for a single.
Dwaine Pretorius to Angelo Perera. WIDE! Bowls a bouncer outside off, Angelo does well to duck under it. The umpire gives it a wide for head height.
Dwaine Pretorius to Dhananjaya de Silva. Short of a length delivery, Dhananjaya pulls it towards square leg for a single.
Dwaine Pretorius to Dhananjaya de Silva. On a good length on off, Dhananjaya de Silva defends it off the back foot.
Dwaine Pretorius to Angelo Perera. Played to the point region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Dhananjaya de Silva comes in at number 7, replacing Thisara.
Dwaine Pretorius to Thisara Perera. OUT! Top edge and taken! Sri Lanka are a sorry 56/5. A short ball, around middle, Thisara looks to pull but gets a top edge. The ball has gone nowhere and the keeper gets under it. Simple catch and Thisara is out of here.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Thisara Perera. Short and outside off, Thisara cuts it towards point for a run. What an over from Tabraiz Shamsi. Just 3 runs from the over.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Thisara Perera. Tossed up outside off, Thisara looks to cut but gets beaten on this one due to the away spin on this one.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Angelo Perera. Flighted delivery on middle, Angelo looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The batsmen change ends.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Angelo Perera. Floated on middle, Angelo flicks it to the leg side.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Thisara Perera. Short and outside off, Thisara cuts it towards point for a single.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Thisara Perera. BEAUTY OF A DELIVERY! Tossed up outside off, Perera looks to drive but gets beaten due to the away turn on this one.
Spin time. Tabraiz Shamsi to bowl.
Dwaine Pretorius to Angelo Perera. IN THE AIR BUT SAFE! Short of a length delivery, Angelo pulls it over mid-wicket. It lands in no man's land. The batsmen pick up a couple.
Dwaine Pretorius to Thisara Perera. Full on off, Thisara drives it towards mid off for a run.
Dwaine Pretorius to Angelo Perera. 50 up for Sri Lanka. Short and outside off, Angelo cuts it towards point for a run.
Dwaine Pretorius to Angelo Perera. WIDE! Bowls a bouncer, Angelo does well to duck under it. The umpire gives it a wide for height.
Dwaine Pretorius to Thisara Perera. Full on middle, Thisara drives it through mid on for a run.
Dwaine Pretorius to Thisara Perera. On a good length on middle, Thisara looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Dwaine Pretorius to Thisara Perera. Full on off, Thisara drives it to mid off.
Pretorius time.
Lutho Sipamla to Angelo Perera. Short and outside off, Angelo cuts it to point. After the Powerplay, Sri Lanka are 47/4.
Lutho Sipamla to Angelo Perera. On a good length on middle, Angelo plays it straight towards the bowler who fumbles. He suddenly wants a run but Thisara does the right thing in sending him back as mid off backs up quickly.
Lutho Sipamla to Angelo Perera. Again on a good length on off, Angelo defends it off the back foot.
Lutho Sipamla to Angelo Perera. On a good length and outside off, Angelo Perera plays it to point.
Lutho Sipamla to Angelo Perera. Outside off, Perera hangs his bat outside off and is beaten by pace.
Lutho Sipamla to Angelo Perera. FOUR! WHAM! Full and outside off, Angelo drives it powerfully straight back down the ground. Thisara just about gets his bat out of the way. The ball rockets down to the long on fence.
Lutho Sipamla into the action now.
Dale Steyn to Thisara Perera. FOUR! Cracking shot. Short and outside off, Perera smashes it through point for a boundary. 12 runs have come from the over. They need big overs like this.
Dale Steyn to Thisara Perera. SIX! Amazing shot. Short of a length delivery, Thisara pulls it powerfully over mid-wicket for a biggie. The third umpire wants to check whether the ball has hit the ropes directly or not. The replays show that the ball hit directly in the rope.
Dale Steyn to Angelo Perera. Length delivery outside off, Perera plays it towards point for a single.
Dale Steyn to Angelo Perera. On a good length on off, Angelo Perera defends it off the back foot.
Dale Steyn to Angelo Perera. Outside off, played straight to point.
Dale Steyn to Thisara Perera. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Who is in next? Angelo Perera is the name. Sri Lanka need a partnership.
Chris Morris to Kamindu Mendis. OUT! Caught behind and it is 2 in 2 for Morris! A double-wicket maiden for Morris and the visitors are in a massive pool of trouble. On a good length, outside off, Kamindu just pokes at it. But the ball moves away and takes the thinnest of outside edges. Sinethemba Qeshile hears the nick and straightaway celebrates. The umpire acknowledges. This over might have just broken the Lankan backbone.
Kamindu Mendis walks in at number 5, replacing Dickwella. Fresh from a fine 41 in a low-scoring thriller in the previous game.
Chris Morris to Niroshan Dickwella. OUT! Niroshan Dickwella gives his wicket cheaply. Soft dismissal. After 4 dot balls, Morris gets a wicket. Full on middle, Dickwella looks to loft it over mid on but does not get the timing on it. It goes straight to Lutho Sipamla who takes a comfortable catch. The hosts are three down in no time. Sri Lanka need 150 runs in 97 balls.
Chris Morris to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and swinging down the leg side, Niroshan misses his flick, loses balance and is hit on the pads.
Chris Morris to Niroshan Dickwella. Outside off, punched straight to cover.
Chris Morris to Niroshan Dickwella. A short ball again, Dickwella looks to hook but misses.
Chris Morris to Niroshan Dickwella. Short and outside off, punched through point where Aiden Markram dives to his left and makes a splendid stop.
Dale Steyn to Thisara Perera. FOUR! Third boundary of the over. Short and outside off, Perera cuts it through point for a boundary. 17 runs have come from the over. Expensive over from South Africa.
Dale Steyn to Niroshan Dickwella. Length delivery on middle, Dickwella looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It goes towards leg side. The batsmen take a run.
Dale Steyn to Niroshan Dickwella. Length delivery on middle, the keeper-batsman flicks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.
Dale Steyn to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! This is even beeter from Niroshan Dickwella. Length delivery on middle, Dickwella plays a scoop over short fine leg for a boundary.
Dale Steyn to Niroshan Dickwella. SIX! First six in the innings for Sri Lanka. Short delivery, Dickwella pulls it over mid-wicket for a biggie. They need more of this.
Dale Steyn to Niroshan Dickwella. On a good length on off, Dickwella defends it out.
Chris Morris to Niroshan Dickwella. Length delivery on off, Niroshan guides it towards third man for a run. 9 runs have come from the over.
Chris Morris to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Poor delivery from Morris. Full and down the leg side, Dickwella flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary.
Chris Morris to Thisara Perera. Short and outside off, Perera slaps it through covers for a run.
Chris Morris to Thisara Perera. Full and outside off, Perera drives it through covers. The batsmen pick up a couple.
Chris Morris to Niroshan Dickwella. On a good length and outside off, Niroshan guides it towards third man for a single.
Chris Morris to Niroshan Dickwella. BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Dickwella looks to defend but misses due to the away swing on this one.
Surprise surprise! A promotion for Thisara Perera to number 4. Meanwhile, it will be Chris Morris to bowl from the other end.
Dale Steyn to Kusal Mendis. OUT! Gone! Steyn has two in an over! After a poor delivery the last one, Dale bowls this peach. Lands it on middle and off and on a good length. It shapes away late. Mendis was looking to drive down the ground but the movement knocks the top of off stump after going past the bat. The batsman is almost floored by that ball. Reminds us of the Steyn of the past. Fiery! This match already starting to look in favour of the hosts now!
Dale Steyn to Kusal Mendis. FOUR! This time the ball finds the ropes. First boundary for Sri Lanka. A length ball on the hips, Mendis flicks it away aerially but in the gap through backward square leg. Fine leg has no time to get around that ball and stop it.
Dale Steyn to Kusal Mendis. Rippa! A length delivery outside off and shapes away viciously. Mendis wanted to defend that one but the movement had him clueless.
Kusal Mendis is in at number 3, earlier than he would have liked for sure!
Dale Steyn to Avishka Fernando. OUT! First breakthrough for South Africa. Steyn bowls on a good length on middle, Fernando is early into the shot while looking to flick but gets beaten for pace. The bat turns in his hands. The ball lobs up in the air and goes towards mid-wicket where Shamsi takes the simplest of catches. A unique celebration follows. The visitors need 180 runs in 117 balls.
Dale Steyn to Avishka Fernando. Again on a good length on off, Fernando defends it out.
Dale Steyn to Niroshan Dickwella. Starts with a good length on off, Dickwella looks to defend but gets an outside edge due to the away movement on this one. It goes towards third man for a run.
We are back for the chase. The players and umpires are out in the middle. Niroshan Dickwella and Avishka Fernando will open the batting for Sri Lanka. Dale Steyn will start the proceedings for South Africa.