Half-centuries by JP Duminy and Hashim Amla ensured South Africa strolled to a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second One-Day International.
Amla hit 55 with the help of five boundaries and two sixes and was involved in a 75-run opening partnership with Graeme Smith (28), as the hosts got off to a fine start in pursuit of Sri Lanka’s 236. Solid contributions from all-rounder Jacques Kallis (37) and Duminy, who top-scored with 66, also helped South Africa’s cause.
Fast-bowler Dhammika Prasad picked up three wickets that pegged South Africa back, but the rest of the line-up ensured there were no major hiccups along the way.
“We played good cricket and I’m proud of the team,” said de Villiers. “We picked up wickets at crucial times. There would’ve been more pressure if they had got more runs.”
Chandimal, Tharanga boost Sri Lanka
Earlier, Dinesh Chandimal and Upul Tharanga hit half-centuries in a battling Sri Lankan batting performance.
Tharanga hit 66 and Chandimal an unbeaten 92 as Sri Lanka made some amends for their dismal show in the first ODI where they were dismissed for their record low score of 43. However, the tourists made another poor start, with captain Tillakaratne Dilshan run out for a duck and Kumar Sangakkara caught behind for three. Tharanga and Chandimal put on 84 for the third wicket to build a foundation for a late innings acceleration that yielded 109 runs off the last 15 overs.
Dilshan, agreeing with de Villiers, admitted his team had not put enough runs on the board. “We were 20 to 25 short,” he said. “We didn’t get enough in the first 25 overs. Tharanga and Chandimal batted really well, which is a positive sign for us.”
Sri Lanka captain Dilshan
“We were 20 to 25 runs short. In the first 25 overs, we didn’t get enough runs. At the moment, everything is going wrong for me. Hopefully the next match will be good.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th, 2012.
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