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South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I: Angelo Mathews guides visitors to maiden win on tour

A superlative effort with the ball, followed by a gem-of-an-innings from Mathews, finally helped Sri Lanka end their losing streak on this tour and register maiden win.

Mathews, despite being injured, played match-winning unbeaten knock of 54 to take Sri Lanka home © AFP (File Photo)
Mathews, despite being injured, played match-winning unbeaten knock of 54 to take Sri Lanka home © AFP (File Photo)

Sri Lanka pulled off their first win on this otherwise disappointing South African tour when they beat the hosts by 3 wickets in the second T20I at Johannesburg on Sunday. In doing so, the tourists have kept the three-match T20I series alive, with one more match to be played at Cape Town. When the chips were down, Sri Lanka’s under-fire skipper Angelo Mathews finally came good. He brought all his experience to the table and, despite an injury scare, that prevented him from running, he hit two winning sixes in the final over. The series will now be decided in the final game, which will be played at Cape Town on Wednesday.  Full Cricket Scorecard: South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I at Johannesburg

Mathews’ participation, though, remains doubtful for the final fixture. Only after the nature of his injury is ascertained can we comment on his availability. But for now, he would be mighty pleased with his effort. The Sri Lankan captain held the innings together. Even as the wickets around him kept tumbling, he made sure Sri Lanka stays in the hunt. The smaller totals are often trickier to chase, and it was once again on display at Johannesburg, as the visitors struggled in chase of a modest 114.

Last match’s hero Lungi Ngidi, who was adjudged the Man of the Match on his spectacular debut, bowled well once again. He picked up two early wickets of Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, who virtually gifted his wicket with as poor shot one can see. Niroshan Dickwella, who hit a few strokes, also perished soon, becoming Ngidi’s third victim. Here on, two of Sri Lanka’s most experienced batsmen Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal collaborated to stitch a 51-run stand and stage a comeback.

But just when it looked the experienced duo will see Sri Lanka home, Ngidi returned to send Chandimal back. Imran Tahir, JJ Smuts and Wayne Parnell then chipped in with wickets to bring South Africa back into the contest, even as Mathews witnessed the collapse from the other end. Things became worse when while stealing a quick single, Mathews injured himself. He was left in no position to run and with 8 needed off 7 balls, he finally went for the big hits. The last over bowled by Smuts saw Mathews hit two sixes and seal the game in his side’s favour. He also completed his fifty in the process and remained unbeaten on 54.

Earlier, Farhaan Behardien had elected to bat first in bright, sunny and batting-friendly conditions. But apart from the toss, nothing went in his favour, as South Africa were bundled out for a paltry 113 in 19.3 overs. It was the duo of Lakshan Sandakan and Isuru Udana who did most of the damage. The two had replaced an injured Nuwan Pradeep and off-colour Suranga Lakmal in the game and wrecked havoc on the South Africans by sharing 7 wickets between them. The Protea batsmen completely failed to read the two bowlers, more so Sandakan, whose chinaman bowling proved to be a mystery for them.

Barring opener Heiho Kuhn (29) and skipper Behardien (27),  no other batsman looked comfortable in the middle. Sandakan was the pick of the bowlers, as he finished his spell with figures 4-0-23-4 — the best figures by a Sri Lankan in T20Is on debut. Udana, who made his debut 8 years ago and was yet playing in just the 8th game of his career, ended with figures of 3 for 13. A superlative effort with the ball, followed by a gem-of-an-innings from Mathews, thus, finally helped Sri Lanka end their losing streak on this tour and register maiden win.

Brief scores:

South Africa 113 all-out in 19.3 overs (Heiho Kuhn 29, Farhaan Behardien 27; Lakshan Sandakan 4 for 23, Isuru Udana 3 for 13) lost to Sri Lanka 119 for 7 in 19.4 overs (Angelo Mathews 54*; Lungi Ngidi 4 for 19) by 3 wickets

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