Raynard van Tonder and Mitchell van Buuren’s half centuries inspired a seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Oudtshoorn on Wednesday.
The junior Proteas took sweet revenge over the Sri Lankans after losing to them by 77 runs in the final of the Youth Triangular series on Saturday.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka opted to bat first. The visitors got off to a steady start putting on 53 runs for the first wicket thanks to Vishva Chathuranga (37) and Avishka Fernando (26).
The pair looked comfortable until Fernando knicked one from Michael Cohen into the gloves of wicketkeeper Wandile Makwetu. Krishan Arachchige joined Chathuranga in the middle and the pair put on 40 until Chathuranga was run out by Jesse Christensen and Makwetu seven runs short of the 100 mark.
Arachchige went on to score 53 off 79 balls and tried to stick around despite losing partners in quick succession at the other end. He helped his side to 152 but fell victim to Cohen for his second. This was the last noticeable performance for the visitors thanks to a good bowling performance from South Africa.
Ruan de Swardt (2-44), Lutho Sipamla (2-30), Jade de Klerk (1-25) and Mitchell van Buuren (1-26) all contributed to bowling Sri Lanka out for 214.
The hosts lost three wickets on the way to the finish line. Christensen went out for a golden duck, Makwetu for 20 in the eighth over and captain Wiaan Mulder for two in the 12th over. This gave an opportunity for a brilliant partnership from Van Tonder and Van Buuren.
The pair put on 169 for the fourth wicket scoring 89 (three sixes and five fours) and 92 respectively (five fours and two sixes), as they blasted their side over the line with seven wickets in hand. SA ended their innings on 215-3 as they go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
Mitchell van Buuren earned the Man of the Match award for his 92 not out and wicket in the match.
The teams will meet again on Friday for the second ODI.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
