Wayne Parnell marked his comeback to the international scene with six wickets to help the Proteas beat Sri Lanka and seal a 3-0 whitewash.

In Kyle Abbott’s absence, the Proteas needed to find a bowler to take the new ball. Parnell was the man to do so. The Cobras allrounder, coming off a terrific performance for his franchise the previous week, where he took six wickets and scored a century, did not disappoint. One part of South Africa’s four-seamers attack, Parnell took 2-38 as the Proteas bundled Sri Lanka out for 131 in their first innings enforcing the follow-on.

His performance in Sri Lanka’s second innings where he took 4-51, was remarkable. His wicket of Kusal Mendis summing up his performance when Mendis clipped the ball into his stumps for 24. Parnell later took advantage of the bouncy wicket, pitching up an unplayable delivery at Rangana Herath’s body forcing him to play, as the ball shot up into the hands Temba Bavuma. For his third, Parnell pitched one up again, this time to Upul Tharanga who had a wild swipe for Man of the Match JP Duminy’s superb catch. Suranga Lakmal put in a good knock for his 31 off 26 balls which included six fours, but he miss-timed a pull-shot sending the ball into the air as Vernon Philander took a simple catch in the deep for the final wicket of the day,  Sri Lanka all out for 177.

Parnell’s Superb delivery to dismiss Kusal Mendis:

PHOTO: Lee Warren/Gallo Images