South Africa clinched the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka after winning the second game by 16 runs in Centurion Friday night.
In the process, the Proteas took an unassailable 2-0 lead with the third match scheduled to be held Sunday in Johannesburg.
The Lankans' reply was eventually not good enough, despite a blazing 48-ball 84 from Isuru Udana, who smashed eight fours and half a dozen sixes.
Chris Morris bagged three wickets for the Proteas, while Dale Steyn and Tabraiz Shamsi notched two each respectively.
Winners are grinners ?? #ProteaFire #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/MBqJOtvJ3u
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 22, 2019
Earlier, Reeza Hendricks hit a high-quality 65 as South Africa scored 180 for three.
Hendricks started the season as one of the favourites to make South Africa’s squad for the World Cup later this year but a run of poor form, together with the resurgence of Aiden Markram, put his chance in doubt.
Markram opened the batting with Hendricks Friday but was out for three in the second over.
Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen (64) then took charge in a second wicket stand of 116 off 78 balls.
South Africa won the 2nd T20I by 16 runs and take 2-0 unassailable lead in the series.
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) March 22, 2019
South Africa 180/3 vs Sri Lanka 164/9 (20 ovs, Isuru Udana 84 NOT OUT, Chris Morris 3/32) #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/w4eAA5YlDP
While Van der Dussen’s innings was marked by power hitting, which brought him four fours and three sixes, Hendricks oozed class as he struck nine fours in a 46-ball innings marked by fluent off-side drives.
Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga, who sent South Africa in to bat, ended the stand when Hendricks hit a slower ball to mid-off.
Off-spinner Akila Dananjaya bowled Van der Dussen two overs later and the scoring rate slowed briefly before South African stand-in captain JP Duminy finished the innings with a flourish, scoring 33 not out off 17 balls.
2ND T20I
Sri Lanka 164/9 (Udana 84*, Morris 3/32) lost to South Africa 180/3 (Hendricks 65, Van Der Dussen 64) by 16 runs
