Image courtesy of: South China Morning Post

Miller’s 85 helped South Africa get back into the series

With South Africa staring down the barrel of a series defeat, batsman David Miller and pace bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe led the Proteas to a 56-run victory over Sri Lanka in the third ODI in Pallekele.

Miller’s innings of 85 and Tsotsobe’s four wickets cut Sri Lanka’s series lead down to 2-1.

South Africa captain AB de Villiers won the toss and did not hesitate to bat first as the conditions were fabulous.

However, it was Sri Lanka who were in the driver’s seat early into the match as they dismissed openers Alviro Petersen and Quinton de Kock cheaply.

Jean Paul (JP) Duminy failed to produce any magic either as he was clean bowled for 23 by Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera.

De Villiers stabilised the South African innings with his 47 runs, which came off 72 balls and included three boundaries.

However, after de Villiers was dismissed, the South African collapse resumed as their middle order completely succumbed to the pressure placed upon them by the Sri Lankan bowling attack.

But, just as South Africa looked to be down and out, Ryan McLaren and Miller put up a fighting partnership of 69 at a run rate of 8.44.

South Africa ended their innings on 223 with Miller remaining undefeated on 85 runs off 72 balls, which included four boundaries and five sixes, while McLaren chipped in with 14 runs.

Ajantha Mendis was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with three wickets, while Perera picked up two and Lasith Malinga added one.

Chasing a relatively straightforward target of 224 to win the series, Sri Lanka found themselves in a spot of bother early into their innings as Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara were all dismissed cheaply.

Mahela Jayawardene and Dinesh Chandimal stabilised the Sri Lankan innings with a 55-run partnership before Jayawardene was cleaned up by South African spinner Robin Peterson for 24.

Jayawardene’s wicket started a domino effect as Chandimal, debutant Angelo Perera and skipper Angelo Mathews all followed in quick succession.

With Sri Lanka reeling at 93/7, Thisara Perera put together a 72-run partnership with Rangana Herath, during which he scored his half-century.

However, just as Perera was looking to push his batting up to the next level, he was removed by Farhaan Behardien for 65 off 49 deliveries, which included five boundaries and five maximums.

Sri Lanka ended up being bowled out for 167 with over six overs to spare.

Tsotsobe caused the most damage with four wickets, while Behardien picked up three and McLaren, Peterson and Duminy all took one wicket apiece.

Mathews was disappointed not to have sealed the series, but still praised his team for their effort.

“I thought the bowlers did a brilliant job, we were good on the field,” he said. “Except for the last three overs we did well. The batters had to tough it out. Thisara Perera looked like he was batting on a different strip. He’s turning out to be a brilliant all-rounder. I got out at the wrong time, with Thisara at the other end, I should have hung around a bit.”

De Villiers had a huge smile on his face and admitted to feeling relieved to have finally won a game.

“It’s hard to explain how proud I am of the boys,” he said. “It wasn’t easy. We were under pressure through the game. After losing Ryan McLaren, I found out in the 30th over that he wasn’t going to bowl anymore and that was a shock. I threw Robin Peterson in the deep end…it was a good performance. Morne was quite aggressive today, he really set the standard up front…once again we maybe did not have enough partnership and an unnecessary run out, I take responsibility there, Faf was looking really good.”

Miller was named the Man of the Match for his spectacular innings of 85 not out, and said: “We only went in the last two overs, would have been nice if we went earlier but the conditions did not allow for that.”