Charismatic right-handed opening batsman Hashim Amla stroked an elegant century as South Africa warmed-up for the upcoming ODI series with a comfortable 108 run win over Sri Lanka Board President’s XI at Tyronne Fernando Stadium, Moratuwa.
Sri Lanka Board President’s XI skipper Lahiru Thirimanne won the toss and invited the Proteas to take the first lease of the wicket. The opening pair of Hashim Amla and Quinton De Kock started off positively with their trademark drives and cut shots which were pleasing to watch. Quinton De Kock was the first to return to the pavilion as he was trapped in front of his stumps by off-spinner Suraj Randiv for 18 runs ending a 63 runs partnership for the 1st wicket. Hashim Amla continued his merry run scoring freely at a brisk rate. Amla added 92 runs with Faf Du Plessis for the 2nd wicket before retiring as soon as he scored his century. Amla brought up his century with a big six over the rope against Jeewan Mendis in the 79th ball he faced in his entertaining knock.
19-year old left arm fast bowler Anuk Fernando got the better of Faf Du Plessis in the 31st over as the right hander was caught by Mahela Udawatta for 41 runs. South African skipper AB De Villiers entertained the large crowd with his crafty stroke making as he pounded the Lankan spinners all over the ground scoring 41 runs in 27 balls with 4 fours and a six before retiring out.
JP Duminy enjoyed the great batting conditions at Moratuwa as he guided the lower middle order batting till the last over. South Africa ended their innings on a formidable 297 for 9 wickets in 50 overs. Duminy scored 54 runs in 56 balls while right arm seam bowler Lahiru Gamage was the pick of the bowlers for the home team as he bowled a tremendous spell of fast bowling picking up 3 wickets for 36 runs in his quota of 10 overs. Suraj Randiv’s right arm off-spinners were accounted for 3 wickets.
South Africa’s right-handed opening batsman Hashim Amla
Chasing a daunting target of 298 runs to victory, the Lankans failed to out-gun the South African seam attack of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Ryan McLaren. The fast bowlers made early inroads into the Lankan batting lineup which saw Lahiru Thirimanne, Upul Tharanga, Jehan Mubarak, Mahela Udawatte and Kithruwan Vithanage dismissed within the first ten overs of the Board President’s XI innings.
Lanky fast bowler, Morne Morkel extracted bounce and pace from the Moratuwa surface to trouble the Lankans with short stuff. Dinesh Chandimal proved critics and selections wrong with a well-compiled half century to give some respect to the hosts score card. Chandimal made 50 runs in 54 balls with 4 boundaries and 2 maximums before failing to Wayne Parnell as Lankans were restricted to 98 for 8.
The South Africans needed to finish off the game early but Suraj Randiv and Anuk Fernando had different ideas as they put up a resolute 56 runs for the 9th wicket before Fernando fell to the bowling of Morne Morkel for 21 runs. Suraj Randiv fought valiantly top-scoring with a 51-ball knock of 53 for Sri Lanka Board President’s XI. Left arm spinner Aaron Phangiso claimed the wicket of Suraj Randiv to end a 35-run stand for the 10th wicket as South Africans warmed up perfectly to face the hosts Sri Lanka in a 3-match ODI series which starts on Sunday at R.Premadasa International Stadium.
Brief Scores:
South Africa – 297/9 in 50 overs : Hashim Amla 104, JP Duminy 54, Faf Du Plessis 41, AB De Villiers 41, Lahiru Gamage 3/36, Suraj Randiv 3/47.
SL Board President’s XI – 189 all out in 39.2 overs : Dinesh Chandimal 50, Suraj Randiv 53, Anuk Fernando 21, Morne Morkel 3/29, Aaron Phangiso 2/9, Wayne Parnell 2/15.
