De Kock blitz sets up another Proteas win

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Quinton de Kock returned to form with 87 runs in the Proteas successful chase of a target of 245 set by Sri Lanka in Dambulla.

The home side had won the toss and elected to bat first but found themselves under pressure early.

Proteas quick Lungi Ngidi got Upul Tharanga (9) to nick off before he trapped Kusal Mendis leg before for a first ball duck at the end of his first over.

Niroshan Dickwella (69) held the Sri Lanka top-order together, just about, and eventually found a willing partner in Angelo Mathews.

Andile Phehlukwayo’s variations made life difficult for the Sri Lanka middle order and he would break the 66-run stand between Dickwella and Mathews to leave the home side 123 for 4.

Scorecard

Mathews (79*) saw out the innings though he would do so with partners who came and went quickly.

Phehlukwayo would end as the pick of the Proteas bowlers with figures of 3/45 while Ngidi took 3/50.

In reply the Proteas kept up a steadily better rate than Sri Lanka despite losing wickets regularly.

A 91-run opening stand between De Kock and Hashim Amla (43) put the Proteas on top and even a double-strike from Akila Dananjaya that removed Amla and Aiden Markram (3) would not blow the tourists off course.

Faf du Plessis (49) joined De Kock for a 53 run partnership for the third wicket that once again put the Proteas in control.

Three quick wickets rattled the Proteas as Du Plessis, De Kock and Miller (3) departed to leave the touring side 198 for 5.

Jp Duminy (32) and Wian Mulder (19*) got the Proteas within touching distance of the total and theough the former feel the latter would hit the winning runs in the company of Phehlukwayo (7*).

The Proteas lead the five match series 2-0.

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