Marco Jansen’s all-round display was in vain as South Africa Emerging suffered a 21-run Duckworth-Lewis Method defeat to Sri Lanka in the penultimate match of their ODI Triangular Series in Pretoria on Wednesday.
The all-rounder first clobbered six sixes in a career-best 53 not out from just 20 balls (1 four) to help the hosts amass 296 for nine in their 50 overs.
He then claimed a tidy two for 35 in eight overs as the tourists reached their revised target of 262 for five in 44 overs.
This thanks to a century from Pathum Nissanka, who hit a run-a-ball 104 (8×4, 1×6), to anchor the chase and leave the South Africans with plenty to do in their final match of the league phase against University Sports South Africa (USSA) on Thursday.
With two wins apiece, the winner of that match will go on to meet Sri Lanka in Sunday’s final – the Asian side having won four matches in the competition.
The other key performers for South Africa in match eight were Janneman Malan (60 off 62 balls, 6×4, 2×6) at the top of the order, while Sibonelo Makhanya and Kyle Simmonds chipped in with 35 apiece. A handy 30 came from all-rounder Jason Smith.
That had allowed the home side to post a useful total after losing the toss and being asked to bat first.
But, after having the Sri Lankans two wickets down with only four on the board, they let things slip to Nissanka and also Charith Asalanka (91 off 94 balls, 8×4, 4×6) with the pair putting on 137 for the third wicket, before Shammu Ashan (22) and Ashen Bandara (26 not out) took their side home.
Photo: Cricket South Africa/Twitter
