After a thrilling series opener, the hosts have strongly rebounded to set up a decider.

South Africa began the innings in free fall, with 6 wickets going down for just 29 runs. Dilshan Madushanka was the destroyer-in-chief, running through the top order and stifling the visitors.

It took a 111-run stand between Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee to get out of the mess and set up a score to bowl at. Coetzee was the top-scorer with a brilliant 77 at #9, while Stubbs made a solid 59. The SA A innings folded for 175, and the bowlers set up a relatively easy chase.

SA didn’t back out without a fight, as Lizaad Williams dismissed Lasith Croospulle, and Beyers Swanepoel sent back Nuwanidu Fernando without scoring.

However, it was momentary joy, as Nishan Madushka counterattacked brilliantly, and got excellent support from Sahan Arachchige. Both players brought up key milestones, with Madushka reaching a superlative century. In the end, it was too small a total to defend, and the honors are even heading into the big game.