It's very difficult to digest the fact that South Africa have lost yet another game which should have been easily pocketed by them. They had the asking rate under control for most parts of the chase and with at least one top batsman in the middle throughout, they should have finished the job at hand. However, those two wickets in the 13th over seemed to have a big impact on the chase. Although, Miller was there at the crease, he too seemed a little reliant on those three fours off Maharaj's bat. With a three-run win, Sri Lanka finally ended their 11-match losing streak against South Africa. Can Sri Lanka make the scoreline look better with a win in the final game? We shall know soon. Until then, take care and goodnight.
With five needed off the final ball, Dala could manage only one run. Sri Lanka win by three runs to pick up their first victory of the five-match ODI series.
Two slogs, two wickets
Maharaj goes across the line and misses it. Miller is still in there though, eight off the final over should not be difficult
Miller attempts the slog and misses it. Nine down, eight more to go, Sri Lanka, one believes, have made it.
24 off 18 needed now...
What's with this sudden spike in fielding standards, Sri Lanka?
That's an outstanding catch as Dhananjaya de Silva flies to his left to intercept a well-struck pull. Lands hard on the ground but doesn't let go off the ball. Mulder is gone, South Africa are making it tough for themselves.
Miller running out of partners...
What troubled Phehlukwayo there? Straight and on the stumps, he missed it and is castled. Terrible stuff...
Twin blow, South Africa are cho....?
Again, that inside out shot attempted and hit straight to cover. Mathews won't make a mistake and Klaasen is gone. Sri Lanka finally getting their fielding together. Or too early to claim?
Second wicket of the over as Duminy is found short of his crease. Cuts it towards cover, yes and no situation and he finally decides to go for the single. Direct hit from Shanaka with just one stump to take a shy at. This is the blow of the evening, body blow to South Africa. 61 needed with 8 overs remaining.
Wickets, runs, everything...
Ohh! Amla looks good for a fifty, in fact even more. He was looking to heave it inside out over covers but spliced it to backward point. Akila Dananjaya strikes, imagine had Duminy been caught too, what pressure South Africa would have been in. Nonetheless, Amla is out for 40 off just 23 balls. Superb knock this evening!
How can you drop Duminy in this form?
Duminy plays the reverse sweep and hits it straight to cover where Lakmal puts down a straightforward chance. 26 off 13, how many will he add tonight? Required run-rate anyway is down to 7.5. Sri Lanka are in trouble...
Duminy in top flight
Three fours and a six in less than two overs' time. First, he takes on Kumara and then Shanaka is being punished. Shanaka wouldn't like his evening being spoilt here. 24 off ten already for the left-hander.
No hundred for Hendricks this time
Expansive drive but hit in the air and can you believe it? It is taken. Dhananjaya de Silva at cover leaps up and kind of taps it up in the air, takes it on the second attempt. This is a big wicket and South Africa would feel the sting. Two down in no time!
Pristine Amla on display
How quickly can the mood change? Watch Amla play those wristy clips off the toes and your day is made. Beautifully worked Thisara away through the onside field for four. Next ball is on the stumps and he sheds his elegance for some brute power now, muscles it through the onside field for four.
Early wicket for the Lankans
Quinton de Kock cannot believe it. Juicy full toss from round the wicket and de Kock, who was looking to make room outside leg and thump it over covers, misses it. Utter disbelief! Neither a no-ball, so he has to give his wicket away on a delivery that did not quite deserve the wicket.
We are two minutes from the resumption of play. The players are out in the middle again. Hopefully, there's no more rain...
Comments