In a phalanx of big-hitters, South African opener Hashim Amla isn't given his due as a quick-scoring batsman in T20s. On
Monday, he got an unbeaten 56 at more than a run a ball to anchor South Africa's win.
Sri Lanka loses its way again
Even the most die-hard fan of South African cricket was likely to vote
Monday’s eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka as the team’s least
applauded triumph in international cricket.
Chasing 121 to sign off its World T20 campaign on a winning note, South
Africa paced its response to make it into an almost a-run-a-ball affair
and eventually won with 14 deliveries to spare.
The crowd in excess of 16,000 came to the Ferozeshah Kotla ground hoping
to watch their hero A.B. de Villiers score big. But by the time he
arrived at the crease, at 75 for two, there was not much left in the
contest.
Still, on his part, de Villiers did his bit. He hit a six that brought
the crowd to its feet. His second six ended the match in the 18th over.
In fact, it was Hashim Amla who helped himself to a half-century, went
past 1000 runs in the shortest format on this day and ensured an easy
victory for South Africa.
Effective performer
Amla, not usually given his due for his ability to score well over the
strike-rate of 100 in T20 games, once again proved to be an effective
performer on a pitch that assisted the Lankan spinners. He remained
unbeaten with 52-ball 56, with a six and five boundaries.
It was not easy for the players to stay motivated in an inconsequential
contest, with the semifinalists already decided. Such being the
scenario, it was truly commendable that Amla played his part to
perfection.
Earlier in the contest, there was a time when it appeared that the South
Africans could be chasing a bigger target. Sri Lanka, in spite of
Player-of-the-Match Aaron Phangiso’s twin-strike in the fifth over, was
cruising at 71 for two after nine overs, with Tillakaratne Dilshan
looking set for a big knock.
Trade deficit
However, in the next 10.3 overs that the innings lasted, Lanka traded eight wickets for just 49 runs!
Dinesh Chandimal who took over the captaincy from a rested Angelo
Mathews, promised much after his 20-ball 21 that included a six and a
four off Dale Steyn’s second over that fetched 16 runs.
The stand-in skipper failed to read the turn from left-arm spinner just
like Lahiru Thirimanne was to do off the next delivery to lose his
leg-stump.
Briefly, Milinda Siriwardana looked good until he was run-out following a
mix-up with Dilshan. Thereafter, Shehan Jayasuriya failed to make the
most of the opportunity. The backbone of Lanka was truly broken when
Dilshan, Kapugedara and Perera fell in successive overs.
Dasun Shanaka tried to add some brisk runs but lost the company of
Rangana Herath in the 18th over, before Kyle Abbot returned to scalp
Vandersay with an express delivery. Off the next ball, the Lankan
innings ended when Lakmal failed to beat a direct throw from David Wiese
at the non-striker’s end.
SL 120 (19.3 Ovs)
RSA 122/2 (17.4 Ovs)
South Africa won by 8 wkts
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