Johannesburg – The Proteas found it easy in their second clash to seal T20 series win over Sri Lanka on Sunday.
This masterclass prepares Cricket South Africa well for their ICC World Cup T20 next month.
Coming to the encounter with moral high ground, the Proteas secured a clinical win in the three-match T20 international series by nine wickets.
The Proteas will be in high spirits for a winning streak as they face Sri Lanka in their last test on this coming Tuesday’s third round.
A quadruple alliance of twist bowling for the Proteas that caters of Tabraiz Shamsi (3/20), Aiden Markram (3/21), Bjorn Fortuin (2/12) and Keshav Maharaj (1/10) took nine wickets between them to twinkle a clinical triumph over Sri Lanka.
Making history, in all their away games, this is South Africa’s third consecutive T20 series win, following victories over West Indies and Ireland.
Coming to how South Africa endured the encounter, 77% of 18.1 overs were sent down by spinners, with a tough day yet again for Kagiso Rabada, who conceded 29 runs in two overs.
Kusal Perera made a welcome return following time off due to illness and returned with the hosts’ highest score of 30 off 25 deliveries (2x4s, 1×6).
Contributions in double figures came from Bhanuka Rajapaksa (20 off 13 balls), Charith Asalanka (14) and captain, Dasun Shanaka (10).
Anrich Nortje’s (1/8) wicket contribution was the first of the innings, getting rid of the dangerous Dinesh Chandimal for five.
The Proteas’ batting reply was as impressive as the preceding bowling innings. Quinton de Kock (58 off 48, 7x4s) led the charge and finished with an unbeaten half-century.
His opening stand of 62 runs with Reeza Hendricks (18 off 19 balls) laid a strong foundation for Markram to accompany De Kock on the way to the team’s victory after Hendricks lost his wicket to Hasaranga de Silva (1/22) in the ninth over.
Markram’s 21 off 19 balls (3x4s) tied in beautifully with his career-best bowling figures of 3/21 to end the day as comprehensively as the team could manage.
For the Proteas, this means they have an undisputable 2-0 lead in the three match series, which concludes on Tuesday.
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