Sri Lanka lose 8-0 in South Africa

Dwaine Pretorius starred with the bat and Andile Phehlukwayo with the ball as South Africa completed a 3-0 sweep of the Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka with a 45-run victory via the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method at The Wanderers last night.

Set a revised target of 183 in 17 overs after a rain delay, Sri Lanka could manage only 137 all out to succumb to an eighth successive limited-overs loss to South Africa. The Proteas also claimed the One-Day International series 5-0.

After being asked to bat, South Africa posted 198 for two in their 20 overs, the innings boosted by all-rounder Pretorius who smashed 77 not out from 42 balls, including three sixes.

Pretorius put on 90 with opener Reeza Hendricks who scored 66 for the second wicket and had an unbeaten stand of 71 with captain JP Duminy to set up a formidable chase for the visitors.

Seamer Phehlukwayo’s guile and change of pace saw him record figures of 4-24 in three overs, including the key wicket of all-rounder Isuru Udana who scored 36 from 23 balls.

Niroshan Dickwella top scored with 38 off 22. Sri Lanka lost their last four wickets in nine balls without scoring a run as the run-rate pressure forced them to go for broke.

The Lankan team is expected to return to the island today.