South Africa Vs Sri Lanka Practice Match

Brief Scorecard

South Africa 338/7 ( Faf du Plesis 88, HashimAmla 68, Vander Duson 40, Phehlukuwayno 35, CH Morris 26* , Pretorius 25*, Lakmal 2/63 ,Pradeep 2/77) beat Sri Lanka 251 All Out ( Karunaratne 87 ,Matthews 64, Phehlukwayano 4/36 ,Ngidi 2/12 ) by 87 Runs

While Afghanistan beating strong Pakistan was a bit of a surprise, one of the leading contender of top honors in 2019  strong South Africa cruised against Sri Lanka winning easily by 87 runs.

Batting first South Africa scored impressive 338/7. Strong protean attack restricted Lankans to 251. It was very useful batting practice for South African batsmen against Sri Lanka  as 8 of their 9 batsmen scored between 21 to 88 runs.

Captain Faf du Plessis carried his IPL form striking freely in his 88 runs innings. Veteran HashimAmla showed signs of getting into his strides scoring 68. Young batsmen Duson and Phehlukwayno contributed with 40 and 35 respectively.

Morris with 26 and Preitorius with 25 remained unbeaten . Sri Lanka started well early with pacers Lakmal( 2/63 ) and Pradeep (2/77)  looking good  But once South African batsmen good into their strides Lankan bowlers could not keep the pressure on taking regular wickets . 339 wasalways a very difficult task against a very strong protean attack though Dayle Steyn did not play. The best efforts of the Lankan batsmen could get them 251 all out in 42.3 overs. Captain Karunaratne scored 87 and all rounder Mathhews contributed with 64. Talented young all rounder Phehluuwayno taking 4/36 exhibited his potential as a budding all rounder. South Africa won huge and handsome by 87 runs.  Bangladesh would play its first match against South Africa in the World Cup.

BDST:  1109 HRS, MAY 25, 2019

AH