South Africa v Sri Lanka, 2016-17
Wisden's review of the first Twenty20 International, South Africa v Sri Lanka, 2016-17
15-Apr-2017
At Centurion, January 20, 2017 (floodlit). South Africa won by 19 runs. Toss: Sri Lanka. Twenty20 international debuts: T. B. de Bruyn, M. Mosehle, L. T. Ngidi, A. L. Phehlukwayo, J. T. Smuts; S. N. T. de Silva.
After rain reduced the match to ten overs a side, South Africa rattled up 126 for five at better than two a ball. Miller smacked 40 off 18, and Behardien - captaining for the first time, after Faf du Plessis was rested - contributed an unbeaten 31, helping Miller add 51 off 23 deliveries for the fourth wicket. The Sri Lankan attack were run ragged, and only seamer Gunaratne conceded fewer than a dozen an over. Even so, while Dickwella and Dhananjaya de Silva hustled and bustled through an opening stand of 59 in five overs, the visitors were in the contest. The illusion was shattered in the sixth, when Imran Tahir removed both. But a rain-streaked night ultimately belonged to Lungi Ngidi, a 20-year-old fast bowler, and one of five format debutants in a new-look South African side. Having been carted for two boundaries in his first over, he dismissed Prasanna and Mendis in the eighth, conceding only four singles, as Sri Lanka's challenge faded.
Man of the Match: L. T. Ngidi.
After rain reduced the match to ten overs a side, South Africa rattled up 126 for five at better than two a ball. Miller smacked 40 off 18, and Behardien - captaining for the first time, after Faf du Plessis was rested - contributed an unbeaten 31, helping Miller add 51 off 23 deliveries for the fourth wicket. The Sri Lankan attack were run ragged, and only seamer Gunaratne conceded fewer than a dozen an over. Even so, while Dickwella and Dhananjaya de Silva hustled and bustled through an opening stand of 59 in five overs, the visitors were in the contest. The illusion was shattered in the sixth, when Imran Tahir removed both. But a rain-streaked night ultimately belonged to Lungi Ngidi, a 20-year-old fast bowler, and one of five format debutants in a new-look South African side. Having been carted for two boundaries in his first over, he dismissed Prasanna and Mendis in the eighth, conceding only four singles, as Sri Lanka's challenge faded.
Man of the Match: L. T. Ngidi.