After a below par performance in the first ODI, South Africa’s bowlers came up with a much improved effort in the second match of the five match series against Sri Lanka as they restricted the hosts to 223 for nine in 49.2 overs, at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday.

The game was held up due to rain for two hours and the Proteas were set a revised target of 179 off 29 overs.

Not a single half-century was scored in the Sri Lankan innings, as the game was played on the same strip on which the first ODI was played on.

Captain Dinesh Chandimal and opener Tillekeratne Dilshan made 43 runs each as the Sri Lankan batsmen encountered a more disciplined bowling effort by the Proteas.

The Proteas started off with spin, as left-arm spinner Robin Petersen bowled the first over and ended with impressive figures of one for 39 in his 10 overs. Morne Morkel, however, was the pick of the bowlers, as he picked up three for 34 in his 10 overs.

After opener Upul Tharanga was dismissed cheaply, Kumar Sangakkara and Dilshan were involved in a 59 run stand for the second wicket before Sangakkara, who made a career best 169 in the previous game was dismissed after he failed to clear extra cover.

During his knock, Sangakkara became the highest run getter in ODIs between Sri Lanka and South Africa, with his 1447 overtaking Jacques Kallis’ 1429.

Mahela Jayawardene fell when he failed to connect an attempted reverse sweep off Petersen, for 17.

Dilshan was spectacularly caught by a diving A. B. de Villiers behind the stumps off the bowling of Morkel, to reduce Sri Lanka to 120 for four. Lahiru Thirimanne unsuccessfully appealed after being ruled leg before wicket to Ryan McLaren for 13 as Sri Lanka slumped to 143 for five.

Jehan Mubarak, whose selection had raised many eyebrows, elegantly cover drove Chris Morris for four, but didn’t enter double figures, as he was dismissed two overs later when he offered part-time spinner J. P. Duminy a return catch.

Captain Dinesh Chandimal looked impressive as he fought hard to push Sri Lanka’s total beyond 200. But he became Morkel’s third victim when Francois du Plessis, whom the Proteas call the best fielder in the world, took a brilliant catch at backward point.

Sri Lanka’s innings ended with four balls still remaining when the rains came down.

Source: The Island (Sri Lanka)