Sri Lanka’s slow powerplay
Peppered by pace, inconsistent bounce, and some prominent seam movement, Sri Lankan batters struggled massively in the powerplay and could score only 24/1. That created immense pressure on them to make up for it in the next phase of the game.
Nortje’s superb spell
Anrich Nortje bowled four overs for just seven runs and picked up four Lankan batters, including Angelo Mathews and Kusal Mendis. His spell broke the back of the Lankan batting who never found the momentum required for a big total.
Mathews couldn’t be the saviour either
Veteran batter Angelo Matthews looked the most in-form Sri Lankan batter on the day and scored two sixes. However, just when he was looking to take Sri Lanka over the 100-run mark, Nortje happened to him, and the Lankans were eventually all out for just 77 runs.
South Africa’s circumspect start
The Proteas, having looked at the tricky track in the first innings, batted in circumspect fashion, scoring just 27 in the powerplay as Nuwan Thushara (1/18) and Dasun Shanaka (1/6) troubled them with movement. Only David Miller (6* off 6) and Reeza Hendricks (4 off 2) managed to score at a run-a-ball or quicker.
Hasaranga tries hard but in vain
Sri Lankan skipper Wanindu Hasaranga injected some late fight-back spirit in his team by picking up Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs. However, the target was too minuscule for the Lankans to apply any real pressure on the Proteas. South Africa sailed home by six wickets.