Faf du Plessis’ magnificently measured ton secured an eight-wicket win for the Proteas in the first ODI against Sri Lanka at the Wanderers, KHALID MOHIDIN reports.
It was a comfortable victory for the Proteas at the Bullring.
The Proteas decided to pick only five specialist batsmen and it paid off as they won the toss, elected to bowl first and restricted Sri Lanka superbly.
There was a debut on the cards for Anrich Nortje, while Dale Steyn was left out of the XI and Hashim Amla was left out of the squad to find some form playing for the Cobras in the One-Day Cup. This saw Reeza Hendricks slot in at the top of the order.
A clinical bowling performance was highlighted by early strikes from Lungi Ngidi (3-60) – returning after three months on the sideline – and Imran Tahir (3-26).
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The Proteas’ chase was dented only by Hendricks’ wicket, he departed for one in the second over.
Du Plessis joined De Kock at the crease and the pair batted superbly. They strung together 136 runs to take the Proteas to 150 before the wicketkeeper-batsman was trapped lbw by Akila Dananjaya after an entertaining 72-ball 81 (11 fours). This partnership gave Du Plessis the platform he needed to get settled in.
With the Proteas well ahead of the required rate, Van der Dussen rotated the strike with his skipper as they took their time chip away at the remaining runs.
Van der Dussen (32 off 43 balls) showed level-headedness to play a supporting role as Du Plessis brought up an 11th ODI century.
Sri Lanka will be disappointed with the outcome after Lakshan Sandakan dropped the Proteas captain on 32.
The Proteas secured their victory with just under 11 overs remaining. Du Plessis finished with 112 off 114 balls (15 fours and a six)
Photo: Dean Lewins/BackPagePix/AAP
