First ODI
Sri Lanka 181 (Mendis 62, Tahir 3/26, Parnell 3/48)
South Africa 185/2 (Amla 57, Du Plessis 55*)
* South Africa won by eight wickets, lead series 1-0
PORT ELIZABETH – South Africa admitted to relying on knowledge gained in the jungles of Hambantota to not only defeat Sri Lanka but also conquer the ghastly windswept conditions at St George’s Park on Saturday.
The Proteas produced a clinical performance that blew the visitors away in the first ODI, with the strong winds proving to be more of a menace than anything Upul Tharanga’s men could muster.
With the groundstaff hanging on to the covers for dear life, umpires’ hats flying away, parts of the ground being evacuated due to security fears and the boundary ropes constantly having to be moved back into position, it certainly was a miserable day for cricket in the aptly nicknamed ‘Windy City’.
The only consolation for the over 11 000 souls that braved the weather conditions was the fact that the rain that had threatened prior to the game stayed away, and that the home side were on top of the contest from Wayne Parnell’s first delivery.
Parnell certainly enjoyed being back in his home town as he claimed three wickets to be one of the Proteas’ bowling heroes, along with leg-spinning magician Imran Tahir.
The veteran spinner also bagged three wickets which tore the heart out of the Sri Lankan batting line-up and ensured they were dismissed for just 181.
“It was an impressive bowling performance. It was something that I alluded to before we went out to play. The weather conditions, the strong winds, that we don’t use it as an excuse but that we actually use it our advantage,” Proteas captain AB de Villiers said.
“I thought we used it really well. We made them hit into the wind a lot. It paid off at the end of the day. I actually have played in such strong winds before, in Hambantota in Sri Lanka. The deciding game was actually worse than this.
“I definitely used some of those experiences in the field with some of my field placings, and the plans with the bowlers. It’s always nice to draw back on those experiences.”
De Villiers was also particularly pleased with the way Parnell set the tone upfront with the new ball. Proteas coach Russell Domingo had stated prior to the series that the ODI team were on the hunt for a new opening bowler to replace the Hampshire-bound Kyle Abbott.
Parnell has long been a favourite of Domingo, but the left-armer has simply been too inconsistent or injury prone to warrant an extended spell in the ODI team.
However, after claiming 3/48, including two wickets in his first two overs when he bowled with good pace and swung the ball back into the right-hander, there was enough evidence on display that the Cape Cobras star could be making an early bid to take the new ball in the ICC Champions Trophy later this year.
“The new-ball bowlers asked the right questions. I was very proud of him (Parnell) and his performance. He bowled with pace upfront, good control, a bit of swing. I was very happy with him in terms of what he achieved today. He made it a lot easier for me in the first 10 overs,” De Villiers said.
The skipper was equally pleased with Tahir’s performance, saying “he’s possibly in the form of his life”, with his dismissal of Sri Lankan top-scorer Kusal Mendis for 62 a particular highlight.
Proteas opener Hashim Amla scored 57 against Sri Lanka. Photo: Deryck Foster, BackpagePix
The bowlers’ heroics allowed South Africa to set the pace of their innings without feeling any need to rush, which is a situation tailor-made for senior batsmen like Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis.
The pair joined forces after Quinton de Kock had struck a breezy 34 off just 40 balls in an opening partnership of 71 with Amla.
Du Plessis and Amla added a further 60 for the second wicket, with both players moving towards their half-centuries before De Villiers finished his comeback ODI in a hurry with an unbeaten 30 off only 27 balls.