David Miller’s record-breaking century set South Africa up for an 83-run win in Potchefstroom, as well as a 2-0 series victory. JON CARDINELLI reports.
South Africa have completed a clean sweep of series wins against the hapless Tigers. After thrashing the tourists 2-0 in the Tests and 3-0 in the ODIs, they have hammered Bangladesh 2-0 in the T20Is.
The quality of the touring side should be questioned. They failed to adapt to the South African conditions across the seven matches against the Proteas. Consistency was certainly a problem in the final game of the tour.
The Tigers won the toss in Potchefstroom and put the Proteas into bat. They did well initially to limit South Africa to 78-3 – and dismiss the dangerous AB de Villiers – in the first 10 overs.
It all went downhill for the tourists from there, though. Hashim Amla proceeded to break the shackles and power his way to 85. After being put down on 0, Miller smashed 101 not out off 36 balls to boost South Africa to a formidable total of 224-4.
Miller went to his 50 in 24 balls, and then to 100 in 35. In doing so, he broke Richard Levi’s record for the fastest century in T20I history.
The Proteas scored 90 runs in the final five overs of their innings. Poor bowling by the Tigers at the death – Miller hit Mohammad Saifuddin for five consecutive sixes in the penultimate over – meant that the Bangladesh batsmen needed to score at more than 11 runs per over for victory.
Apart from Soumya Sarkar, none of the Bangladesh batsmen managed to make an impression. The tourists took the game deep as far as overs were concerned, but never threatened that South African target.
SA 224-4 (20 overs) – David Miller 101 not out, Hashim Amla 85, Shakib Al Hasan 2-22
Bangladesh 141– (18.3 overs) – Soumya Sarkar 44, JP Duminy 2-23, Aaron Phangiso 2-31
South Africa won by 83 runs and clinched the T20I series 2-0
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
