Dwaine Pretorius’ Man of the Match batting performance helped the Proteas seal a whitewash with a 45-run win by the DLS method at the Wanderers. KHALID MOHIDIN reports.
The Proteas were put in to bat and hit 198-2 in their 20 overs. Kickstarted by Reeza Hendricks scoring his consecutive half-century to strengthen his World Cup claims, the opener lit up his home ground alongside Lions teammate Dwaine Pretorius.
The Proteas lost just two wickets en route to their final total – Aiden Markram (15) and Hendricks (66 off 52 balls) – as they were reduced to 127-2 in 15 overs.
Pretorius continued his onslaught with the help of JP Duminy as the pair blasted 71 runs off the final five overs. The Lions all-rounder was the star of the innings for his 77 off 42 balls (seven fours, three sixes).
ALSO READ: Pretorius punishes Sri Lanka
Niroshan Dickwella led a powerful start for Sri Lanka as he and Dhananjaya de Silva took Sri Lanka to 42-0 in four overs. De Silva lost his wicket at the start of the fifth over, and Dickwella (38 off 22 balls) lost his wicket at the start of the sixth over, Sri Lanka reduced to 52-2. This turned to 61-4 by the sixth over when Andile Phehlukwayo, Pretorius (1-12) and Junior Dala (2-29) struck.
Angelo Perera (15) put up a slight fight, but in an attempt to clear the long-on boundary, skied the ball and David Miller took a magnificent rolling catch to hand Dala his second wicket.
Reeza Hendricks then removed danger man Thisara Perera with an exceptional direct hit that reduced the visitors to 96-6 in 10.3 overs. Udana was once again the top destroyer for his side as he managed three massive sixes for his 12-ball 25 to launch Sri Lanka to 111-6. With the par score at 124, the rain stopped play.
After the break, three overs were lost and Sri Lanka needed a revised target of 183. It was Udana vs South Africa once again, but this time he only managed 36 off 23 balls (four sixes) until Phehlukwayo removed the big-hitter after struggling with his line and length at the beginning of his third over. He removed Malinga on the last ball and finished with a career-best 4-24.
Lutho Sipamla (2-22) then took his first wicket by dismissing Akila Dananjaya for ninen thanks to an excellent catch running in from long on. He then wrapped up the match by bowling Suranga Lakmal.
The Proteas clinched a 45-run win by the DLS method.
