MATCH REPORT
Follow UsOpeners Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks scored unbeaten fifties as South Africa outclassed Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I to sweep the series 3-0 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday (September 14).
The Proteas equaled their previous record of seven successive victories in the shortest format which they first achieved in 2009. This is also their third series win on the bounce. They came into this series at the back of a 3-2 win over West Indies and then beat Ireland 3-0
Sri Lanka were in a spot of bother at 28/3 after skipper Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected bat as Kagiso Rabada and Bjorn Fortuin struck thrice in the Powerplay. Kamindu Mendis (10 off 16 balls) added 32 runs in 33 balls with the returning Kusal Perera (39 off 33 balls) after which Sri Lanka kept losing wickets constantly.
All-rounder Chamika Karunaratne added a valuable 24 not out off 19 balls which took the hosts to a run-a-ball 120/8 in 20 overs. Rabada (2-23) and Fortuin (2-21) were the pick of the South African bowlers.
Chasing a sub-par total on a good batting track, De Kock (59 off 46 balls, 7 fours) and Hendricks (56 off 42 balls, 5 fours and a six) made light work of the target and wrapped things up with 32 balls left. Their unbeaten 121-run stand is also the highest partnership for the Proteas against Sri Lanka in T20Is.
De Kock was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series, having notched up 153 runs at a strike-rate of 121.42 in the three matches.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 120 for 8 in 20 overs (Kusal Perera 39, Chamika Karunaratne 24*; Bjorn Fortuin 2 for 21) lost to South Africa 121 no loss (Quinton de Kock 59*, Reeza Hendricks 56*) by 10 wickets
Player of the match & series: Quinton de Kock
