South Africa U19s have lost the Youth ODI series against Sri Lanka U19s 2-1, following their six-wicket defeat in the decider in Colombo.
After winning the opener by 16 runs before falling short by 12 runs in the second, the decider was more of a one-sided contest, concluding a disappointing tour for the young South Africans after their 0-0 Test series stalemate.
Wiaan Mulder’s charges would have been confident of a positive result after winning the toss – after all, their victory in the first match came from defending a low total. Again, a low total had to be defended as they scraped together 195-9.
Mulder was once again the man they had to rely on as the skipper scored 59, with contributions from Wandile Makwetu (26) and Raynard von Tonder (37) pushing them close to 200. They struggled to navigate Sri Lanka’s rich supply of spinners – eight of the nine wickets fell to spin, including three from Shammu Ashan.
Ashan was in devastating all-round form as his 70 made it a comfortable run chase. William Sendin and Mulder both kept SA well in it with two wickets apiece to leave their opponents on 99-4, but a 100-run stand between Ashan and Ashen Bandara (37) saw them over the line with 4.1 overs remaining, to leave Lawrence Mahtlane’s side empty handed.
Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images
