Black Caps face flying Proteas

SOUTH AFRICA V SRI LANKA ROUND-UP

SOUTH Africa travel to New Zealand for their series against the Black Caps on the back of thumping Sri Lanka 5-0 in the ODIs.

The Proteas take on New Zealand in the only T20I today before five ODIs and a three Test series get underway.

The final ODI at Centurion in the series whitewash saw Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla put on a 187-run opening partnership.

The hosts racked up a mammoth 384-6. Suranga Lakmal was the most successful Sri Lanka bowler taking three wickets, though they came at a cost of 71 runs.

The tourists were never going to get close to that total, especially when Chris Morris and Wayne Parnell reduced them to 82-5.

Asela Gunaratne did hit two maximums in an unbeaten 114 but Sri Lanka ultimately fell short, ending on 296-8.

They now make the trip to Australia for a three-match T20I series, warming up for that with a comfortable victory over a Prime Minister’s XI with openers Niroshan Dickwella and Upul Tharanga both hitting 47.

Lasith Malinga took one wicket in his return as the select XI were restricted to 169-6 from their 20 overs, and Sri Lanka reached their target with 17 balls to spare.

Angelo Mathews is missing the Australia tour with injury with Tharanga skippering the side in his absence.

For Australia, Ben Dunk has replaced Chris Lynn in the squad after he aggravated a neck injury in training.

The three-match series begins in Melbourne today before the teams move to Geelong before concluding in Adelaide on February 22.