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Temba Bavuma, the skipper of South Africa, says that it is quite hard to put into words what has happened in the last couple of days. Adds that he was a lot of tensed bit also says that David Miller is an experienced batter and he batted really well. Tells that Tabraiz Shamsi is a weapon with the ball and he has been doing well for them. Talking about his wicket, he says that the shot was on but he failed to hit it over the ropes.
The skipper of Sri Lanka, Dasun Shanaka says, Kumara was nailing his yorker’s in the practise session and thought he could pull it off. Credits to the South African batters, for finishing the game well. Mentions, Nissanka will be a real prospect for the future of Lanka cricket. Ends by saying they will hope to win the remaining two games and if they have to leave, they leave with pride.
Tabraiz Shamsi is the Player of the Match, for his brilliant spell with the ball. He says that it is his first Man of the Match trophy but credits David Miller for his outstanding knock today. Adds that he is glad that he is getting regular chances to play now and it has helped him. Tells that he is enjoying his time with this South African side and says that they are one of the best bowling attacks going around in the world.
... Presentation Time ...
Earlier in the day, the South African bowlers did really well to keep Sri Lanka to a low score. The Lankan bowlers though made run scoring really tough. At one stage, they seemed favourites to win it but it was a special knock from Miller which proved to be the difference.
Have to feel sorry for Lanka. They bowled so well for most of the game. Hasaranga was the pick with a three-fer, a hat-trick. Chameera was excellent with the new ball. Kumara too was decent but his last over cost Lanka the game. Also, this is the second successive game where a Sri Lankan spinner has taken a hat-trick and they have ended up on the losing side. This really is a morale deflating loss.
South Africa though struggled throughout the run chase. Then there were a couple of partnerships between Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma and then Bavuma and Markram but the two stands were broken at the wrong time for the Proteas. Then came the over in which two wickets fell and that pushed South Africa completely onto the back foot. It came down to 15 from the last over and it was their finisher, Miller, who gave them the vital two points.
It seemed like it would be Sri Lanka who would win it when Hasaranga bowled that magical 18th over but there was a Miller special in store. Yes, he did receive help from Rabada but his two sixes in the last over were the crucial hits to get his side over the line.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. David Miller, you absolute beauty. Take a bow. Whoever was watching, just take a moment, get on your feet and give this man a standing ovation. He keeps South Africa’s dream alive with a scintillating cameo.
In over# 20
4
1
6
6
1
Lahiru Kumara 35/0(3.5)
19.5
4
FOUR! RABADA SAYS GAME DONE! South Africa have managed the snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Back of a length, around off. Rabada looks to push it to the off side. The ball takes the outside edge, goes past the keeper and into the boundary at third man. SOUTH AFRICA WIN THE GAME BY 4 WICKETS.
19.4
1
Back of a length, on the bodyline. Miller pulls it awkwardly towards square leg and gets a single.
19.3
6
SIX! Oh dear, Miller connects again. We have seen him do it over the years, but under pressure, that is something else. A full-length ball, around middle and leg. Miller clears his front leg and smokes it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.
19.2
6
SIX! BANG! Miller certainly got hold of that. Pressure back on Sri Lanka. Full and on middle. Miller stays back and hoicks it across the line over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Infact, the ball is send out of the park here.
19.1
1
Rabada takes no time to change the strike. Full, around middle and leg. Rabada looks to heave it away. The ball takes the inner half and goes towards fine leg. They take a single. South Africa would be happy to see David Miller on the strike now.
Lahiru Kumara to bowl the last over.
In over# 19
1
0
6
1
1
1
Dushmantha Chameera 27/2(4)
18.6
1
Full and wide outside off. Rabada slashes it through covers for a single. Rabada to take the strike in the final over.