10 OUT OF 10 FOR PRIMED PROTEAS
A CALAMITOUS batting display by the home side against craftier captaincy from Keshav Maharaj saw the Proteas stretch their winning streak in T20 Internationals to seven matches with a 10-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo yesterday.
Again spin dominated for the tourists, with all three front-line spinners bowling their full quota, while Aiden Markram’s part-time offspin got through two overs in which he picked up one wicket as South Africa restricted the hosts to 120/8 in their 20 overs, and knocked off the runs without losing a wicket.
But Maharaj again showed a willingness to go off script at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Kagiso Rabada, sporting a fresh trim, bowled two overs in the powerplay and accounted for Avishka Fernando, who hit the ball straight back to him, and also Bhanuka Rajapaksa with a ‘one-two’ bouncer/full delivery combination.
Rabada still doesn’t look in absolute peak form, with his lack of rhythm a concern, but this was a better showing than in the previous two matches, and South Africa must hope he can find some form and consistency during the upcoming Indian Premier League.
The Proteas spinners again kept a rein on the home team’s batsmen, leading to some awful errors.
Dhananjaya de Silva walked passed a straight ball from Bjorn Fortuin and was stumped, Kamindu Mendis – who replaced Charitha Asalanka – drove Markram to Maharaj, and Wanindu Hasaranga did the same, giving Fortuin his second wicket.
The most comical dismissal of the whole innings saw Lahiru Madushanka, who replaced Praveen Jayawickrama, hit the ball straight to Rassie van der Dussen at point, take off for a run and get sent back by his batting partner Chamika Karunaratne. Before he could turn around, Quinton de Kock had removed a bail with Madushanka 10 metres short of his ground.
Karunaratne struck some mighty blows in the last two overs, but Sri Lanka were once again woefully short of setting the Proteas a competitive target.
Maharaj was superb again, and while it’s unlikely he’ll be made captain permanently once Temba Bavuma is fit, there is certainly scope for him to play a major tactical role when the Proteas are in the field.
Maharaj picked up 1/14, and once more Fortuin delivered a spell that shows there is no need for concern ahead of the World Cup. He is accurate and varies his pace well, but most importantly, he has shown composure throughout the series.
Fortuin finished the series as the top wicket-taker with five, while his economy rate of 4.75 shows the level of control he provides for his captain.
Openers De Kock and Reeza Hendricks again had a pressure-free start to the run-chase.
Hendricks’ driving along the ground and in the air was delightful, while De Kock was efficient in making 59 – his second half-century of the series – and ending as the top run-scorer in the series with an aggregate of 153 runs.
Hendricks notched up his seventh T20 International half-century with 56 not out, which saw him face 42 balls and strike five fours and a six.
After sharing 50-run partnerships in each of the first two matches, Hendricks and De Kock posted a century stand yesterday as the Proteas coasted home with 32 balls to spare.