Malan-Reeza stand took the game away from us – Shanaka
“Our fielding wasn’t up to the standard. The bowling was a concern too,” Shanaka said after the visitors piled up a formidable 283 for six wickets in a rain-curtailed game.
However, Shanaka believed South Africa’s total was reachable under those conditions but the rain interruptions somewhat dashed their hopes.
“The total was chaseable though but the rain interruptions cost us a bit,” Shanaka stressed after Sri Lanka were bowled out for 197 in 36.4 overs.
The Sri Lanka Captain also said the partnership between Janneman Malan and Reeza Hendricks took the game away from them even though the home side made a decent start in the beginning.
“We started well but the stand between Reeza Hendricks and Janneman Malan took the game away from us,” Shanaka explained after the pair added 96 for the second wicket.
Despite the setback, Shanaka pointed out that Sri Lanka’s bowling during the latter stages of the innings was quite outstanding.
“I think our death bowling has improved a lot,” Shanaka revealed after Sri Lanka captured South Africa’s last three wickets for six runs.
Chief scores
South Africa: 283/6 in 47 overs (Janneman Malan 121, Reeza Hendricks 51, Heinrich Klaasen 43, Chamika Karunaratne 2/24)
Sri Lanka: 197 in 36.4 overs (Charith Asalanka 77, Chamika Karunaratne 36, Tabraiz Shamsi 5/49, Kagiso Rabada 2/16). (Agencies)