Isuru Udana’s astonishing 84 for Sri Lanka wasn’t enough to stop South Africa from clinching its Twenty20 international series with a 16-run win in the second match at the SuperSport Park on Friday.
Isuru Udana’s 84 went in vain
Centurion:
He overshadowed the recognised batsmen with a superb display of clean hitting. He hit eight fours and six sixes. “He’s the kind of player we need. He showed his character,” said Sri Lankan captain Lasith Malinga, who was disappointed with yet another top-order batting failure.
“It’s really frustrating. We always talk about getting a partnership.” Duminy praised a ‘really good team performance’ and the way Dale Steyn and Chris Morris struck twice each with the new ball. “There are a few things we can improve in the middle and end overs. Udana played a fantastic innings, but we gave him a few lifelines,” he said. Hendricks and Van der Dussen put on 116 off 78 balls for SA’s second wicket.
Hendricks started the season as one of the favourites to make the squad for the World Cup later this year. But a run of poor form, together with the resurgence of Aiden Markram, put his chances in doubt. Markram opened the batting with Hendricks on Friday but was out for three in the second over.
While Van der Dussen’s innings was marked by power hitting, which brought him four fours and three sixes, Hendricks oozed class.
Brief scores: South Africa 180 for 3 in 20 overs (R Hendricks 65, R Van der Dussen 64) beat Sri Lanka 164 for 9 in 20 overs (I Udana 84*, C Morris 3/32)
Udana took SL from a seemingly hopeless position to one where it had an outside chance of winning. It initially looked easy for SA, which scored 180 for three after being sent in to bat. Reeza Hendricks hit a fluent 65 and Rassie van der Dussen struck a powerful 64. SL lost its first four wickets in five overs and was floundering at 62 for six when Udana walked in to bat in the 10th over.
He overshadowed the recognised batsmen with a superb display of clean hitting. He hit eight fours and six sixes. “He’s the kind of player we need. He showed his character,” said Sri Lankan captain Lasith Malinga, who was disappointed with yet another top-order batting failure.
“It’s really frustrating. We always talk about getting a partnership.” Duminy praised a ‘really good team performance’ and the way Dale Steyn and Chris Morris struck twice each with the new ball. “There are a few things we can improve in the middle and end overs. Udana played a fantastic innings, but we gave him a few lifelines,” he said. Hendricks and Van der Dussen put on 116 off 78 balls for SA’s second wicket.
Hendricks started the season as one of the favourites to make the squad for the World Cup later this year. But a run of poor form, together with the resurgence of Aiden Markram, put his chances in doubt. Markram opened the batting with Hendricks on Friday but was out for three in the second over.
While Van der Dussen’s innings was marked by power hitting, which brought him four fours and three sixes, Hendricks oozed class.
Brief scores: South Africa 180 for 3 in 20 overs (R Hendricks 65, R Van der Dussen 64) beat Sri Lanka 164 for 9 in 20 overs (I Udana 84*, C Morris 3/32)