Published: Jan 25, 2017, 11:19 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 25, 2017, 11:19 PM (IST)
AB de Villiers brilliant half-century on his international return helped South Africa set Sri Lanka a target of 170. South Africa made a brilliant start. Openers JJ Smuts and Reeza Hendricks scored dealt in boundaries at the initial stages. Smuts got a life when he was dropped at mid-off early in his innings by Thikshila de Silva, but that did not cost Sri Lanka too much as he was trapped leg before by Seekkuge Prasanna for 19. South Africa ended the Powerplay at 48 for 1. De Villiers walked into bat in South African colours for the first time since June 2016. Hendricks and de Villiers did not take any many risks early on and focused on setting the platform. Full Cricket Scorecard: South Africa vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I at Cape Town
It took de Villiers 16 deliveries to score his first boundary and his first six 12 deliveries later. The duo had brought up their 50-run stand from 39 deliveries. Spinners Prasanna and Lakshan Sandakan had pulled South Africa’s run-rate down. But with 9 wickets in hand, South Africa perhaps felt they can still get a huge score on the board. South Africa were looking good at that point and this partnership too was blossoming. Just then Sandakan stumped Hendricks for 41. Dinesh Chandimal initially missed the stumps, but knocked them over in his second attempt. That however brought a healthy 71-run stand to an end. Live Cricket Updates: South Africa vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I at Cape Town
De Villiers however carried on. He brought up his fifty off just 35 deliveries. It was not a typical de Villiers innings, but certainly the kind of innings South Africa wanted today. David Miller, who walked in at No. 4 did not last long as he was dismissed for just 1. He was caught in the deep by Sandakan off Asela Gunaratne. Skipper Farhaan Behardien then walked in to support de Villiers. He was happy to give as much strike as possible to de Villiers. With four overs to go, South Africa were 124 for 3. However, Sri Lanka kept picking up wickets and Farhaan Behardien was run out after an accurate throw from Kusal Mendis and some brilliant glove work from Chandimal.
Sri Lanka then got the big fish. De Villiers looked to go over point, but a sharp catch from Upul Tharanga saw the back of de Villiers for a well-made 63 off 44. Mangaliso Mosehle started the final over of the innings well, slamming a straight six off the very first ball of Isuru Udana, taking South Africa’s total past 150. He then struck back-to-back sixes over deep extra cover to help South Africa to 169.
The Sri Lankan spinners and the medium pace of Gunaratne got them back into the game. South Africa have a quality sinner in Imran Tahir. He will surely be South Africa’s main bowler in this match apart from the young Lungi Ngidi. His 4 overs will be crucial. Medium pace of Behardien too could come in handy.
Earlier, South Africa had won the toss and elected to bat first. The series is level at 1-1. South Africa won the first rain-curtailed match by 19 runs. But Sri Lanka bounced back to win the second T20I by 3 wickets to level the series.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 169 for 5 in 20 overs (Reeza Hendricks 41, AB de Villiers 63; Seekkuge Prasanna 1 for 21, Lakshan Sandakan 1 for 23) vs Sri Lanka.
