Captain Faf du Plessis highlighted a strong performance from seamer Andile Phehlukwayo as South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs in Friday’s World Cup warm-up fixture at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales.

Half-centuries from Du Plessis and opening batsman Hashim Amla carried the Proteas to a final total of 338 for seven, after which the Sri Lankans were limited to 251 all out.

Phehlukwayo struck a late 35 from 34 deliveries down the order, which featured three fours and a six –  and then delivered figures of four for 36 in seven overs.

‘Nice wicket, everyone got a run. The bowlers and the batters got their chances, and the fast bowlers looked deadly. Phehlukwayo is a wicket-taker and he did really well coming into the middle. We needed to get some time in the middle and the intensity has to remain,’ said Du Plessis.

Defeated captain Dimuth Karunaratne struck 87 in vain, while fellow right-armer Lungi Ngidi snared two wickets. Seamers Chris Morris and Dwaine Pretorius, meanwhile, went without breakthroughs.

‘South Africa has a good bowling line-up, so we had to bat long. I stuck to my basics and that’s why I could get some runs. Once you get set, you can get some runs,’ added Karunaratne.

The Proteas’ second and final warm-up fixture will be against the West Indies in Bristol on Sunday. Their opening World Cup match will be against England at The Oval in London on Thursday.

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