||Desk Report||

Sri Lanka, who started the tour with an unexpected Test series win, finally ended with the 3-match T20 series defeat. The visitors also face a humiliation while being whitewashed in 5-match ODI series.   

Sri Lanka lost the third and final T20 by 45 runs (DLS method) on Sunday in Johannesburg. After forcing to bat first South Africa managed to score 198 for 2. Reeza Hendricks smashed 66 while Dwaine Pretorius unbeaten 77 along with skipper Jean-Paul Duminy for 34. In reply, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 137 as they chased down a reduced target of 183 in 17 overs following a rain delay. For the visitors, Niroshan Dickwella and Isuru Udana scored respectively 38 and 36 runs. Andile Phehlukwayo took 4 for 24 while Junior Dala and Lutho Sipamla claimed two wickets each.

Proteas T20 skipper JP Duminy believed that it is a confidence booster for them. “Certainly is pleasing to win 3-0. Was nice to get over the line in the first game. We didn't execute that well in the first game. Individuals have stood up and stepped up to the plate at the highest level. It is a confidence booster as far as the shoulder is concerned. It is important to have a good support staff around you. We still got a couple of weeks of domestic cricket left before the World Cup. You always want to perform the best for your country,” he said.

On the other hand, Sri Lankan white-ball captain Lasith Malinga accused their lack of partnership for this humiliation in the limited over games. “I think this kind of wicket, we wanted them to score 170 or 180. But they had a good partnership and things got away from us. As a captain, I wanted breakthroughs. We didn't get wickets in the ODIs and T20Is. But when we batted we lost one wicket after the other.”

“Home conditions help them. They know the conditions exactly. They have talented players as well and that is why they have been successful as well. All the players need to analyze what they need to do going forward. The Test Series was a plus point. Isuru Udana was the plus point in the ODIs and T20Is for us,” Malinga added.

Earlier, Sri Lanka won the two-match Test series beating the hosts respectively by 1 wicket and 8 wickets. But after that South Africa whitewashed Lankans in 5-match ODI series, followed by T20 series. The hosts won the first T20 in a thrilling Super Over eliminator while defeated Sri Lanka in the second T20I by 16 runs.

South Africa vs Sri Lanka

First Test: Sri Lanka won by 1 wicket

Second Test: Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets

First ODI: South Africa won by 8 wickets

Second ODI: South Africa won by 113 runs

Third ODI: South Africa won by 71 runs (2nd innings reduced to 24 overs due to rain; target 193)

Fourth ODI: South Africa won by 6 wickets