South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2016/17, 2nd ODI: Clinical Proteas Go 2-0 Up In The Series 1

Riding on centuries from Faf du Plessis and David Miller followed by another poor batting display from Sri Lankan batsmen, South Africa defeated the visitors by 121 runs in the second ODI to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Miller joined du Plessis in the middle after Sri Lanka had reduced the Proteas to 108/4 in the 20th over. However, the Sri Lankan bowlers failed to capitalise on the opportunity and both batsmen added 117 runs for the fifth wicket to lay the platform for a big total. The duo started slowly and concentrated more on singles and doubles but made sure to keep the run-rate healthy throughout their stay at the crease. In between, they also enjoyed a bit of luck as du Plessis was dropped at slip on 63 off the bowling of Lakshan Sandakan while Miller had a reprieve when wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal failed to grab a tough chance. But apart from those two incidents, their innings was largely error-free.

The century-stand came to an end when du Plessis, trying to hit one over the bowler’s head, failed to connect properly and gave away an easy catch to Kusal Mendis after scoring a well-deserved 105. His departure did not affect Miller as the southpaw scored 50 runs off his last 27 deliveries to finish on unbeaten 117 off only 98 balls. Chris Morris too chipped in with a quickfire 27 to help the hosts collect 90 runs off the final 10 overs and post an imposing 307 for 6.

In reply, the visitors made a cautious start. Upul Tharanga promoted himself to his old position and added 45 runs for the first wicket with Niroshan Dickwella before the latter was sent back by Wayne Parnell. Seven runs later, the left-arm pacer struck again to remove the Sri Lanka skipper and the writing was very much on the wall when Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva returned to the pavilion inside one run to leave their team reeling at 75 for 4.

A 44-run partnership between Dinesh Chandimal and Asela Gunaratne steadied the ship for a bit but once the latter was dismissed, the visitors began losing wickets at regular intervals before being eventually dismissed for 186.

Brief scores:

South Africa 307 for 6 (Miller 117*, du Plessis 105) beat Sri Lanka 186 (Chandimal 36) by 121 runs

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