Anrich Nortje took three wickets as the Proteas skittled Sri Lanka for 189 in the fourth ODI at St George’s Park. KHALID MOHIDIN reports.
The Proteas seamers were all over Sri Lanka’s top order as the visitors crumbled to 71-6 in just under 18 overs.
Dale Steyn got the ball rolling by dismissing Upul Tharanga for the fifth time in eight matches. He drew the opener into a pull-shot that he skied to Tabraiz Shamsi at mid-on.
Ngidi struck shortly after with the wicket of Oshada Fernando, who edged the speedster to first slip, and then came a double strike from Nortje in the 11th over. The local boy removed Avishka Fernando (29) and debutant Priyamal Perera (0) first ball, bowling consistently above 140 km/h.
Nortje (3-57) then picked up his third with the wicket of Kamindu Mendis (0), and Andile Phehlukwayo followed this by removing danger man Kusal Mendis (21).
JP Duminy marked his comeback to the national setup with a wicket, showing his importance to the side as an all-rounder. Dhananjaya de Silva was Duminy’s victim, departing on 22.
He then set up the run-out of Lasith Malinga, who nonchalantly failed to slide his bat in when completing taking a single. Reeza Hendricks was responsible for the direct hit.
Isuru Udana (62 off 49 balls) smashed Nortje for three sixes to bring up his half-century in the only decent performance with the bat for Sri Lanka.
Udana (78 off 57 balls) went after Nortje again, smashing two fours and a six to take him into the 60s, even scoring all the runs in his 58-run 10-wicket partnership with Kasun Rajitha.
Phehlukwayo (2-21) finally dismissed Udana to end the show with the visitors all out for 189 after 39.2 overs.
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
