25/01Result
3rd T20I (N), Sri Lanka tour of South Africa at Cape Town, Jan 25 2017
Sri Lanka won by 5 wkts (1b rem)
Player of the Match
Niroshan Dickwella
Niroshan DickwellaSri Lanka
25/01Result
3rd T20I (N), Sri Lanka tour of South Africa at Cape Town, Jan 25 2017
Sri Lanka won by 5 wkts (1b rem)
Player of the Match
Niroshan Dickwella
Niroshan DickwellaSri Lanka

9.25pm: What a dramatic finish, Sri Lanka stealing the series thanks to Seekkuge Prasanna's 37 off 16 and a little cameo from Asela Gunaratne, after Niroshan Dickwella provided the platform. You have to think Lungi Ngidi's injury was costly for South Africa, since that meant JJ Smuts having to bowl a couple of expensive overs (and the numerous dropped catches didn't help) - but you have to give SL a pat on the back, after the adversity they have faced. No Angelo Mathews, two others in the squad injured as well, victorious only once in the previous five games... But they pulled off an excellent run chase to take the spoils in Cape Town. Sets things up nicely for the ODIs to come. Anyway, that's if from myself and Gnasher - thanks for your messages and have a good night. Cheerio!

Here's Amaan, with a question many are asking: "Isn't that a hit wicket if it hasn't crossed the boundary, please tell me. I'm too curious as a proteas fan!" I don't think so, Amaan, according to the Laws. Gunaratne had already finished his stroke, so therefore it's equivalent to a batsman crashing into the stumps trying to complete a run (which wouldn't be out, of course). He didn't hit his wicket "either (i) in the course of any action taken by him in preparing to receive or in receiving a delivery, or (ii) in setting off for his first run immediately after playing or playing at the ball". Bit of a daft thing to do but the umpires, as far as I can see, correctly put the stumps back and told them to get on with it.

19.5
1
Paterson to Gunaratne, 1 run, pitched up and driven through the covers, that is it! Now the SL players can run out on to the field and celebrate - Gunaratne can take a stump this time, grabbing one at the non-striker's end. Sri Lanka win by five wickets and take the series!

Scores level, then. Pay attention, Asela

19.4
4
Paterson to Gunaratne, FOUR, goes for the short ball, swings across the line, the top edge flies away over the keeper! And Gunaratne then grabs a stump, thinking the game was over...! Are SA appealing? Had the ball crossed the boundary? The umpires have told Gunaratne to calm down, puts the stumps back in and we are going to continue
19.3
1
Paterson to Prasanna, 1 run, pitched up, good discipline from Paterson, big swing from Seekkuge and he gets an inside edge on to his pads

"High chance of another super over today!" parps chaitu. We're in the territory...

19.2
1
Paterson to Gunaratne, 1 run, pitched up, comes forward and hammers a drive, picks out deep cover for one

Fine leg goes back now

19.1
4
Paterson to Gunaratne, FOUR, pitched up on off stump, Gunaratne goes across, gets low... and scoops over short fine leg! Smoothly done and the equation swings even further in SL's direction

Dane Paterson to bowl the last over, 11 needed by SL to steal the series... Who's got the stones?

END OF OVER:
19 | 15 Runs | SL: 159/5 (11 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 8.36, RRR: 11.00)

  • Seekkuge Prasanna36 (15b)
  • Asela Gunaratne1 (2b)
  • Andile Phehlukwayo4-0-32-0
  • Dane Paterson3-0-27-0
18.6
4
Phehlukwayo to Prasanna, FOUR, outrageous! Scooped over the keeper... Phehlukwayo went full outside off and Seekkuge got down on one knee and ramped it for four!
18.5
0
Phehlukwayo to Prasanna, no run, in the channel, another big swing and miss from Seekkuge! Phehlukwayo has strung together two dots
18.4
0
Phehlukwayo to Prasanna, no run, full and wide, this is better directed... and Seekkuge loses his bat swinging across the line! Hang time out towards midwicket, but willow rather than leather
18.4
1w
Phehlukwayo to Prasanna, 1 wide, goes wide, aiming for the tramlines, swing and a miss... but called wide

"Prasanna & Asela both Army guys can they bring victory to SL," hup-hups luckwin

18.3
6
Phehlukwayo to Prasanna, SIX, back of the hand, sits up as Seekkuge advances - and he's put this into the stands at long-on! Another mighty bosh from the allrounder, sends it towering into the Cape sky
18.2
1
Phehlukwayo to Gunaratne, 1 run, length ball, taking the pace off and Gunaratne heaves to the leg side, doesn't time it
18.1
3
Phehlukwayo to Prasanna, 3 runs, full length outside off, big ole hack from Seekkuge, gets it past backward point and they go haring back for a third as Tahir throws to the keeper and Mosehle has a shy at the non-striker's end

Here's Andile Phehlukwayo to bowl the penultimate over

END OF OVER:
18 | 7 Runs 1 Wkt | SL: 144/5 (26 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 8.00, RRR: 13.00)

  • Seekkuge Prasanna23 (10b)
  • Asela Gunaratne0 (1b)
  • Dane Paterson3-0-27-0
  • Wayne Parnell4-0-42-1

Paterson holds his nerve... The rate goes back up to more than two a ball

17.6
1
Paterson to Prasanna, 1 run, another full bunger, can't get under it, punched down the ground to long-off
17.5
0
Paterson to Prasanna, no run, full and straight, big swing from Seekkuge but gets a bottom edge back down the track
17.4
1lb
Paterson to Gunaratne, 1 leg bye, full length, Gunaratne goes low outside off, tries to paddle and hit on the pad - big appeal but never hitting and they steal a leg bye

Asela Gunaratne in at No. 7

17.3
W
Paterson to Prasanna, OUT, mistimed into the off side, they try to steal one... and Paterson throws down the stumps in his follow through! Magnificent reactions from the bowler and Mendis was half a yard short

BKG Mendis run out 2 (9m 3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 66.66

17.2
4
Paterson to Prasanna, FOUR, strays on to the pads, Seekkuge swings to leg and gets it away, bounces towards the rope at deep backward square!
17.1
1
Paterson to Mendis, 1 run, shortish, outside off, pulled flat down the ground to long-off

Dane Paterson returns. Ngidi has a bruised hip and won't be bowling

END OF OVER:
17 | 19 Runs | SL: 137/4 (33 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.05, RRR: 11.00)

  • Seekkuge Prasanna18 (6b)
  • Kusal Mendis1 (2b)
  • Wayne Parnell4-0-42-1
  • Imran Tahir4-0-18-3

Nineteen off the over and SL come roaring back thanks to Seekkuge... and that last ball might have been called as a no-ball, too

16.6
6
Parnell to Prasanna, SIX, full toss on the stumps, Seekkuge and destroy! This has come right out of the screws, it's coming down with snow on it, miles back in the stands at deep square leg. Nothing Kuhn can do about this one
16.6
1w
Parnell to Prasanna, 1 wide, goes for the bouncer, maybe a slower ball - called wide on height
16.5
6
Parnell to Prasanna, SIX, short and leg side, Seekkuge connects well, swinging the ball high over fine leg for six! SL are still alive
16.4
4
Parnell to Prasanna, FOUR, back of a length, Seekkuge heaves to leg, gets a h-u-u-u-u-g-e top edge down towards third man - and Tahir had overrun coming in, it clears his head and bounces away! Oh dear, Immy. Undoes some of his good work with the ball

Match Coverage

All Match News

Sri Lanka 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st36WU TharangaN Dickwella
2nd9LD ChandimalN Dickwella
3rd71N DickwellaDM de Silva
4th2S PrasannaDM de Silva
5th24S PrasannaBKG Mendis
6th28S PrasannaDAS Gunaratne