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SRI LANKA 134/7 (20 OVERS)
- Thisara Perera19 (21)
- Kamindu Mendis41 (29)
- Andile Phehlukwayo3/25 (4)
- Lutho Sipamla1/19 (4)
SOUTH AFRICA 134/8 (20 OVERS)
- David Miller41 (23)
- Rassie van der Dussen34 (30)
- Lasith Malinga2/11 (4)
- Jeffrey Vandersay1/25 (4)
Commentator: Sreshth Shah (@sreshthx)
END OF OVER:1 | SL: 5/0
10.20pm And that's all from Newlands. The first T20I was full of twists and turns, and almost had a surprise ending. Whatever the result, Sri Lanka made a real fist of things, and South Africa will expect more of the same when the teams meet in the second match at Centurion on Friday night. We hope you've enjoyed our coverage, and please do join us again. Until next time, goodbye!
"That was great fun," says winning captain Faf du Plessis. "The series needed a bit of that, a tight finish. Both teams put under pressure to see how they respond. We didn't deal well with it, with the bat, but getting another opportunity with the Super Over, we did. Big risks can pay off. We're working with Dave behind the scenes (as a wicketkeeper) to explore that option. He was nervous to do it in a full match, but what a way to start with that nick off Dale, and a perfect day behind the stumps. I was surprised the way the pitch played, I didn't think it would spin that much. Malinga has been the world's best T20 bowler for donkey's years. He knows what he's doing, and it's really hard to hit him. Andile is getting a reputation as someone who plays big moments well. He didn't come off with the bat, but we need guys like that. He's maturing, and hopefully he'll keep building on that."
David Miller is the Man of the Match. "It was a little bit longer than expected," says Miller. "Didn't expect the Super Over, but great result. We haven't really prepped for something like that, but took five minutes and gathered our thoughts about who should bat and bowl. Rassie and I were going well, then he lost his wicket, and my run out was very unnecessary. But we got the win at the end of the day and we can learn from it. We thought around 10 would be a good figure in the Super Over, so we tried to give ourselves a chance and it came off well."
10.10pm "T20 is a very interesting game," says Lasith Malinga. We tried our best, but at the end of the day we didn't get what we need. But I'm still really happy with how we did. I think 130 is not enough to win a T20 game, but using two spinners did work. But at the end of the day we couldn't get through. I'm used to these situations and conditions. Now I'm getting too old! (Laughs). I tried my best to show the youngsters how it's done, bowling the variations. I tried the variations in the Super Over, but it didn't happen, Miller batted really well. I always believe people can do something special. I got four wickets in four balls once, so something is always possible."
Adarsh: "So that was Tahir's Last international match in South Africa. What a match and a fitting end to his career in his own country. That roar signifies his emotions. "
9.57pm Please stick with us for the presentation. Will be interesting to hear what both captains have to say.
Azweer: "CSK is waiting for Faf, Tahir & Ngidi..."
9.56pm What joy on Tahir's face. He gives out a full-throated roar to soak in the win. The South Africans hug it out, the Sri Lankans walk out in disappointment. Ottis Gibson breathes a sigh of relief.
Tom : "Am I the only person who thinks Super Overs are rubbish? If it's a tie, it's a tie! No need to force an unnecessary winner, more often than not a super over is an anticlimax! "
9.52pm Oh dear, the area below the sightscreen is on fire! But people have quickly spotted in, and killed the fire. OK, here we go. Time for the day's final over. For certain.
Perera's on strike, without a helmet. That means Imran Tahir will bowl the super over. Will Tahir's variations win the battle, or will Thisara's levers do the trick?
Ali Hasnain: "What a mess SA got themselves into. From no where they got into this situation. Stop blaming dickwella .. srilanka should not have been in a winning position."
9.49pm Avishka Fernando's walking out. And so is Thisara Perera
END OF OVER:1 | SA: 14/0
9.43pm Two boundary-shots from Miller have given them a solid total to defend. If Sri Lanka score 14 too, then South Africa win because the hosts have hit more boundaries tonight.
Who will Sri Lanka field with the bat?
Aruna Caldera: "15 to get, send Dickwella in and ask to clear the mess he got SL in to "
Monasha: "Ran out of fingernails, so brought the nail cutter to work on the legs nails."
final ball coming up.
Van der Dussen on strike now.
9.36pm Miller is padded up. Lasith Malinga will bowl.
END OF OVER:20 | SA: 134/8 (1 run required, RR: 6.70)
9.30pm What a miraculous game of cricket. South Africa needed 18 to win off their final four overs, but they just found ways to get dismissed. For now, though, some more strategy for both teams to deal with. Who will be the three batsmen, who will be the bowler? South Africa will bat first in the Super Over. Tahir has the ball in his hand, but are South Africa bluffing? They have to bat first anyway. Let's get ready for the Super over
Om Pashupati: "As someone would say - Excellent game. At the end, cricket is the ultimate winner !"
David Cousins: "Nail biting is a compulsive neurotic behaviour that can be triggered by any number of things. Boredom is one. How can people compare this to a world cup semi-final? This is a random fixture with absolutely nothing riding on it, that happens to be a close game."
Mayurdan Gadhav: "Dickwella had missed the stumping chance of faf and now this in last ball! He is the man who give chance to SA."
Nkgenyane : "Does that count as a choke?" -- if they lose, for sure! Momentum with SL now though.
Alright then. South Africa need 1 to tie, 2 to win. Sri Lanka need to concede 0 to win, 1 to tie, 2 to lose. Delay in proceedings. Will Tahir be the hero, or will Udana? Or will we see a super over? As someone loves to say, "All three results are possible".
Long off and extra cover in the deep. Udana runs in to bowl, but then doesn't deliver the ball! Keeping everyone waiting. Cheeky
Venu: "This match reminds my childhood when i was watching the wc semi finals between SA and Australia.."
JP Duminy run out 9 (33m 7b 1x4 0x6) SR: 128.57
Super over anyone? South Africa need 3 off two balls. Bowler-keeper-captain in a conference. This game has sprung into life in the last 10 minutes.
Azweer: "An Absolute NAIL BITER.....!!!!"
JAI SRIVASTAVA: "If SA fail to score this then it would be the greatest ever choke in cricket history since they needed 18 off 4 overs"
The fans are super nervous. De Kock's biting his nails too
Pc: "Udana will win the battle "
The No. 9 batsman, Steyn, is on strike. Long off comes in, no fine leg
Om Pashupati: "More than runs, I think SL are 1 bowler short today. Big Question - Who will bowl the last over ?" -- Looks like Udana. Long on, deep midwicket, deep backward square riding the boundary line. Duminy on strike
Match Coverage
All Match News'A good challenge and good fun' - David Miller passes test with the big gloves
The batsman appears to have become the frontrunner to keep wickets should Quinton de Kock pick up a mid-game injury at the World Cup
South Africa nearly choke, but Tahir rescues them in Super Over
Lasith Malinga and Isara Udana conceded just 17 runs in their last four overs as South Africa were forced to win the contest via a one-over eliminator
'Form first, reputation next' - Ottis Gibson on South Africa's World Cup squad selection
South Africa's coach lays down criteria for World Cup selection, and says the likes of Rabada, du Plessis and de Kock will be rested after the first T20I against Sri Lanka
Focus remains on World Cup as T20Is start
A side strain to Ngidi might mean Steyn returns for South Africa, while Sri Lanka continue to search for a combination that delivers results