3rd T20I, Colombo, September 14, 2021, 07:00 PM
Sri Lanka
120/8(20.0ov)
South Africa
121/0(14.4ov)
South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets
That's it from this game. The visitors win the T20I series 3-nil after losing the ODI series. Both the series were dominated by some great show of spin bowling and now both the teams will look to focus on their next ventures. For Sri Lanka its the T20 World Cup group stages, but before that they play a couple of T20 matches against Oman. South Africa can relax and recover for the T20 World Cup. Hope you enjoyed our coverage. Good bye and take care.
Keshav Maharaj, the skipper of South Africa is up for a chat. He says that the boys deserve all the credit and they have been brilliant. Adds that the batters have stood up when needed. Says that they could still improve when it comes to bowling in Powerplay. Tells that the bio-bubble is challenging but the team has found a way to get through it. Signs off by saying that the bowling and batting has been good but they still need to work on their fielding and they are working hard on it.
Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Sri Lanka says, that South Africa were very good today and congratulates them and they have been outstanding throughout the series. He adds that Hasaranga and Karunaratne have been the positives and have impressed with the ball. Mentions that even though they have lost the series, they did win the ODI series and are confident for the qualifiers. He adds that they need to improve their batting and didn't finish well with the bat after getting starts.
Quinton de Kock has been awarded as the Player of the Match and also the Player of the Series. He says that he understands the conditions really well now as this is his third tour. Adds that he played in The Hundred and it helped him to develop a few more skills. Tells that it will be important to take good care of his body as he has a long season going ahead.
...THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY...
Right then, earlier in the day Dasun Shanaka elected to bat first and the decision turned out to be a poor one. Sri Lanka could only muster up 120 runs on the board, thanks to a late blitz from Chamika Karunaratne. The South African openers were at it from ball one and made short work of the total, inflicting more misery on the hosts.
Oh, Sri Lanka they just don't learn from past mistakes and are adamant that there bowlers can keep on defending low totals. To be honest it'd be harsh to criticise the bowlers today but none of them looked like picking up a wicket either. Wanindu Hasaranga, as usual created a couple of chances but that was it. The ball didn't turn enough today and the Sri Lankan spinners couldn't put any pressure on the South African openers and in the end the hosts succumbed to yet another defeat.
The batting is clicking for South Africa at the right moment. Not a long time ago, Quinton de Kock looked out of sorts and so did the visitors and they kept chopping and changing the batting order. They have now dealt with that issue and the two openers showed their class today. de Kock was the first to bring up a half century and Hendricks soon followed suit. They put an unbeaten partnership of 121 runs and have taken their team to victory in some commanding way.
South Africa have literally walked their way to victory and have completed a clean sweep over the hosts in this T20I series. As for Sri Lanka, they couldn't be more disappointed with their performance.
In over# 15
2
1
2
2
Chamika Karunaratne 13/0(1.4)
14.4
2
Length ball, on off. Quinton de Kock drives it through cover and takes two. South Africa win comprehensively by 10 wickets and take the T20I series 3-0.
14.3
1
Short ball, around off. Reeza Hendricks pulls it towards deep square leg and takes a run.
14.2
2
Full ball, on the stumps. Hendricks drives it straight back above the bowler and the fielder at long off cuts it off with a dive and manages to keep it to a couple.
14.1
2
Short ball, on off. Hendricks pulls it comfortably to cow corner for a couple.
Bowling change.
In over# 14
0
0
1
2
1
1
Kamindu Mendis 22/0(3)
13.6
.
Flighted ball, on middle and leg. Quinton de Kock misses the flick and gets hit on the pads. Just 7 runs needed now!
13.5
.
Floated, around leg. Quinton de Kock tickles it towards short fine leg.
13.4
1
Flatter and shorter, on middle. Reeza Hendricks rocks back and pulls it towards deep square leg for one.
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