pitched up and driven through the covers, that is it! Now the SL players can run out on to the field and celebrate - Gunaratne can take a stump this time, grabbing one at the non-striker's end. Sri Lanka win by five wickets and take the series!
South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I at Cape Town, Jan 25 2017 - Ball by Ball Commentary
RESULT
3rd T20I (N), Cape Town, January 25, 2017, Sri Lanka tour of South Africa
169/5
(19.5/20 ov, T:170) 170/5
Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets (with 1 ball remaining)
New
SL
Full commentary
9.25pm: What a dramatic finish, Sri Lanka stealing the series thanks to Seekkuge Prasanna's 37 off 16 and a little cameo from Asela Gunaratne, after Niroshan Dickwella provided the platform. You have to think Lungi Ngidi's injury was costly for South Africa, since that meant JJ Smuts having to bowl a couple of expensive overs (and the numerous dropped catches didn't help) - but you have to give SL a pat on the back, after the adversity they have faced. No Angelo Mathews, two others in the squad injured as well, victorious only once in the previous five games... But they pulled off an excellent run chase to take the spoils in Cape Town. Sets things up nicely for the ODIs to come. Anyway, that's if from myself and Gnasher - thanks for your messages and have a good night. Cheerio!
Here's Amaan, with a question many are asking: "Isn't that a hit wicket if it hasn't crossed the boundary, please tell me. I'm too curious as a proteas fan!" I don't think so, Amaan, according to the Laws. Gunaratne had already finished his stroke, so therefore it's equivalent to a batsman crashing into the stumps trying to complete a run (which wouldn't be out, of course). He didn't hit his wicket "either (i) in the course of any action taken by him in preparing to receive or in receiving a delivery, or (ii) in setting off for his first run immediately after playing or playing at the ball". Bit of a daft thing to do but the umpires, as far as I can see, correctly put the stumps back and told them to get on with it.
19.5
1
Paterson to Gunaratne, 1 run
Scores level, then. Pay attention, Asela
19.4
4
Paterson to Gunaratne, FOUR runs
goes for the short ball, swings across the line, the top edge flies away over the keeper! And Gunaratne then grabs a stump, thinking the game was over...! Are SA appealing? Had the ball crossed the boundary? The umpires have told Gunaratne to calm down, puts the stumps back in and we are going to continue
19.3
1
Paterson to Prasanna, 1 run
pitched up, good discipline from Paterson, big swing from Seekkuge and he gets an inside edge on to his pads
"High chance of another super over today!" parps chaitu. We're in the territory...
19.2
1
Paterson to Gunaratne, 1 run
pitched up, comes forward and hammers a drive, picks out deep cover for one
Fine leg goes back now
19.1
4
Paterson to Gunaratne, FOUR runs
pitched up on off stump, Gunaratne goes across, gets low... and scoops over short fine leg! Smoothly done and the equation swings even further in SL's direction
Dane Paterson to bowl the last over, 11 needed by SL to steal the series... Who's got the stones?
end of over 1915 runs
SL: 159/5CRR: 8.36 • RRR: 11.00
Seekkuge Prasanna36 (15b 3x4 3x6)
Asela Gunaratne1 (2b)
Andile Phehlukwayo 4-0-32-0
Dane Paterson 3-0-27-0
18.6
4
Phehlukwayo to Prasanna, FOUR runs
outrageous! Scooped over the keeper... Phehlukwayo went full outside off and Seekkuge got down on one knee and ramped it for four!
18.5
•
Phehlukwayo to Prasanna, no run
in the channel, another big swing and miss from Seekkuge! Phehlukwayo has strung together two dots
18.4
•
Phehlukwayo to Prasanna, no run
full and wide, this is better directed... and Seekkuge loses his bat swinging across the line! Hang time out towards midwicket, but willow rather than leather
18.4
1w
Phehlukwayo to Prasanna, 1 wide
goes wide, aiming for the tramlines, swing and a miss... but called wide
"Prasanna & Asela both Army guys can they bring victory to SL," hup-hups luckwin
18.3
6
Phehlukwayo to Prasanna, SIX runs
back of the hand, sits up as Seekkuge advances - and he's put this into the stands at long-on! Another mighty bosh from the allrounder, sends it towering into the Cape sky
18.2
1
Phehlukwayo to Gunaratne, 1 run
length ball, taking the pace off and Gunaratne heaves to the leg side, doesn't time it
18.1
3
Phehlukwayo to Prasanna, 3 runs
full length outside off, big ole hack from Seekkuge, gets it past backward point and they go haring back for a third as Tahir throws to the keeper and Mosehle has a shy at the non-striker's end
Here's Andile Phehlukwayo to bowl the penultimate over
end of over 187 runs • 1 wicket
SL: 144/5CRR: 8.00 • RRR: 13.00
Seekkuge Prasanna23 (10b 2x4 2x6)
Asela Gunaratne0 (1b)
Dane Paterson 3-0-27-0
Wayne Parnell 4-0-42-1
Paterson holds his nerve... The rate goes back up to more than two a ball
17.6
1
Paterson to Prasanna, 1 run
another full bunger, can't get under it, punched down the ground to long-off
17.5
•
Paterson to Prasanna, no run
full and straight, big swing from Seekkuge but gets a bottom edge back down the track
17.4
1lb
Paterson to Gunaratne, 1 leg bye
full length, Gunaratne goes low outside off, tries to paddle and hit on the pad - big appeal but never hitting and they steal a leg bye
Asela Gunaratne in at No. 7
17.3
W
Paterson to Prasanna, OUT
mistimed into the off side, they try to steal one... and Paterson throws down the stumps in his follow through! Magnificent reactions from the bowler and Mendis was half a yard short
Kusal Mendis run out (Paterson) 2 (3b 0x4 0x6 9m) SR: 66.66
17.2
4
Paterson to Prasanna, FOUR runs
strays on to the pads, Seekkuge swings to leg and gets it away, bounces towards the rope at deep backward square!
17.1
1
Paterson to Kusal Mendis, 1 run
shortish, outside off, pulled flat down the ground to long-off
Dane Paterson returns. Ngidi has a bruised hip and won't be bowling
end of over 1719 runs
SL: 137/4CRR: 8.05 • RRR: 11.00
Seekkuge Prasanna18 (6b 1x4 2x6)
Kusal Mendis1 (2b)
Wayne Parnell 4-0-42-1
Imran Tahir 4-0-18-3
Nineteen off the over and SL come roaring back thanks to Seekkuge... and that last ball might have been called as a no-ball, too
16.6
6
Parnell to Prasanna, SIX runs
full toss on the stumps, Seekkuge and destroy! This has come right out of the screws, it's coming down with snow on it, miles back in the stands at deep square leg. Nothing Kuhn can do about this one
16.6
1w
Parnell to Prasanna, 1 wide
goes for the bouncer, maybe a slower ball - called wide on height
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