So here we are, at the end of the Sri Lanka tour to SA. As we expected so far the tour was dominated by SA. Sri Lanka still have something to take back and that’s their first test win on South African soil. From an SA point of view, the Durban test has to be an extreme disappointment as it is the only blemish in what would have been a clean slate.
The first ODI was a shocker for Sri Lanka as they are the runners-up for last year’s WC and big expectation was on the one day team. The 2nd game was much closer but still SA was in control throughout.
We now get to the last 3 games played within 6 days and the changes to the SA team could make for interesting competition. The number one ODI batsman in the world, Hashim Amla and his wife are expecting their newborn any day now and has been relieved of his duties to the squad. At the same time, rest has been given to Kallis and that means that at least 2 changes to the starting 11 will happen. The other change in the squad come through Rory Kleinveld that injured himself and Philander getting a deserving call into the squad for the last few games. A Petersen and C Ingram replace Amla and Kallis.
I think that they will be the only changes to the winning team, and if they pull off a win that will secure the series then a few more changes will happen in the last 2 games.
Here is the squad as it looks now:
AB de Villiers (Nashua Titans, capt), Johan Botha (Chevrolet Warriors), JP Duminy (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Faf du Plessis (Nashua Titans), Colin Ingram (Chevrolet Warriors), Albie Morkel (Nashua Titans), Morne Morkel (Nashua Titans), Wayne Parnell (Chevrolet Warriors), Alviro Petersen (bizhub Highveld Lions), Robin Peterson (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Vernon Philander (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Graeme Smith (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Dale Steyn (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Chevrolet Warriors).
Enjoy these last few games, in more or less a months time SA start the first of 3 tours, touring to New Zealand first. And these games are not SA friendly watching times. Starting either, at 8 in the morning or at 12 midnight. And by then we will be very close to the start of SR which will take preference around here 
They should’ve changed one or two more for the game… Some guys are really out of form (and shape). But still keep on getting chances.
But what the hell… Happens in rugby too
I am unsure as to what role Faf plays in the team, unless he is the specialist fielder?!
Looking forward to seeing Alviro at the top of the order.
Also hoping Ingram gets a shot at 3.
So Sri Lanka is 0 -2 down in a 5 match series . . .
Sportsbet here I come!
Sri Lanka win toss and bat first
Alviro Peterson and Colin Ingram in for Kallis and Amla, as suspected.
@Original Pierre (Comment 4) : yes bet u SA win by a landslide….
(hoping)
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 5) :
First 10 overs gone. SL on 41/0.
WICKET! – WU Tharanga c Ingram b Peterson 58 ; SL 94/1 (18.3ov).
WICKET nr 2 – TM Dilshan c Steyn b Duminy 33; SL 102/2 (20.1ov).
SL 130/2 25 overs
Think the commentator on Radio 2000 just wet himself, Faf run out Sankakara
And another run out, Inram runs out Jayawardene
183/4 36 overs
WICKET nr 5 – LD Chandimal c Smith b M Morkel 36; SL 192/5 (38.1ov)
WICKET nr 6 – AD Mathews c Peterson b Tsotsobe 15 – SL 220/6 (43.3ov).
WICKET! – KMDN Kulasekara b M Morkel 40; SL 259/7 (48.4ov).
Another WICKET! – SL Malinga b Steyn 2; SL 262/8 (49.3ov)
Run out, 3rd one of the innings, off the last ball of the SL innings….
Total 266/9
Target 267, 5.34runs per over
SA with a steady start
oops, Slinga bowl Smith around the legs, 2(13)
SA 14/1 5overs
in 148 times that SA batted 2nd, SA have only past the score of 266 on 14 occasions
Ingram looking so good, bowled by Slinga, 13(8)
Malinga really bowling very well, here….
SA 30/2 after 7 overs
SA 41/2 after 10
Peterson 17(27) out lbw, and wasted a review cause that was so out
SA 55/3 after 13 overs
well well, JP just given out by the 3rd ampire as run out, that was looking very suspicious
Jp was out for 25
in the mean time, Faf has gone on to make his 50 from 61 balls.
SA 120/4 after 25 overs
Faf is just been run out 72(74), he was struggling with cramps
SA153/5 after 31 over
the rain wants to have its say in the game, at this stage SA is ahead of ducky and lucky
179/5. 34 overs
88 runs needed from 96 balls
so that’s it, SA won with ducky and lucky on our side
SA win by 4 runs
MOTM: Faf
wow Faf, what a gentleman
For those following the Dolphins, they are now without a coach…
G Henry stepped down as Dolphins coach…
Remember the clash of the kings….Sunday
Who’s gonna be there?
@Franshark (Comment 39) : wonder why he stepped down so suddenly?
@BR (Comment 41) : same thoughts…
@Franshark (Comment 42) : heard something of maybe coaching Sri Lanka, but at the moment it is all speculation.
OK, its Game day again, Today its off to Kimberley
The news is that Dale is having a rest, Parnell is getting some game time and ja Smith is still there….
@Franshark (Comment 44) :
Steyn being Rested . parnell in his place . have tickets for Sunday but im starting to reconsider …
Steyn deserves a rest, hope Philander gets a run! Parnell should come in for Morkel.
Hoping that either Ingram or Alviro score big to dislodge Smith.
@Zibbie (Comment 46) : no man, its gonna be good, I like Parnell
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 47) : Same here, if Peterson can get two good scores from the next two games Smith will be under pressure when Amla returns, Ingram looked so good on Tuesday before he was bowled…..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 47) :
i think i would rather have gone for Philander in place of Steyn .
@Franshark (Comment 49) :
The problem is we have 2 batsmen that can constantly buckle down and score good runs . the once has a beard and a baby and the other one is 72 but still playing
the others get out at stupid times to stupid shots .
They take silly runs at silly times .. and its very frustrating …
@Zibbie (Comment 50) : I can’t disagree, must say I like the changes the keep on making,
@Zibbie (Comment 50) :
I’m quite sure we agree then, that Philander comes in for Steyn, and Parnell replacing either Morkel or Lopsy.. I would give Morkel a break as well, he will be needed in the tests again, and I feel Lopsy is a better ODI player than test bowler, and Philander will return for the tests in NZ..
AB sent this tweet:
From: @ABdeVilliers17
Sent: Jan 20, 2012 1:03p
Serious heat in Kimberley today! Expecting some rain a bit later, hopefully not for too long. I hear it’s a sellout. Yes please!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 52) : I agree
Graeme Smith se vrou bel die krieket stadion en vra om met hom te praat.
Stadion: “Hys is nie nou beskikbaar nie, hy het nou net uitgestap om te gaan kolf!”
Vrou: “Dis oraait, ek sal gou aanhou…”
AB wins the toss, elects to bat.
Dale Steyn and Albie Morkel out
Philander and Parnell in
GOOD NEWS:
Smith survived the first over..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 57) :
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 57) : Smith did not even face one ball in the 1st over
That is the only reason he survived!
@Franshark (Comment 58) :
@Pokkel (Comment 59) :
A comment oozing with sarcasm..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 60) : I didn’t now because I’m not watching, only saw it know on cricinfo.
@Pokkel (Comment 61) :
Don’t you know your “know’s” from your “now’s”??
So this pitch looks like a belter
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 62) :
63/0 after 10 overs..
Both batsmen going at over a run a ball
Smith going like a rocket…
SA 65/0 after 11overs
Peterson goes for 37.
85/1
de Villiers promotes himself to three..
First wicket down, Petersen out off the bowling off Herath 37(38). S A now 84-1.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 67) :
I must refresh before comenting
Smith gets to his first 50 in like 18 innings..
Smith has 50(45)
@Pokkel (Comment 61) : Jeez, that is horrible…..I blame it on Friday
@Pokkel (Comment 72) : bad bowling from SL, not even getting the wicket of Smith
@Pokkel (Comment 72) :
Haha.. We all have our moments..
I often blame my dutchman-ness…
de Villiers looks to be in some good form..
I’m hoping he can push through the mid-30 scores and get a good hundred here..
Run rate still above 6 an over
128/1 after 20 overs
Smith going for broke, smacking a six just after the powerplays are up.
If he continues, he will prove a lot of detractors wrong..
Good to see him hitting the ball sweetly again, still not a great fan though..
Batting powerplay taken, overs 21 – 26
Bold from SA, but AB and Smith can kill the game right now..
Remember, there is rain in the air, so the high scoring rate is a good ploy here..
AB responds to the powerplay with a six and a four in the first over of limitations..
SA scoring at 10 an over for the last 5 overs..
AB smacks another two 6′s in the second powerplay over to get to a 31 ball half century..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 77) : I’m not a Smith fan at a long shot, but if they gonna keep him ita be better if he get the runs….
30 runs off the first two powerplay overs, and Smith hasn’t faced a ball..
Go AB you beaut
AB came in to bat with Smith on 46 runs.
He is now just 8 runs behind him on 60 (Smith on 68)
That’s it for Smith 68(69), and that was not caught in the slips…..
Smith’s good run is over as he falls to Malinga.
Nearly a run a ball 68 from the ex-Cappie
ag no man, Ingram out quickly again….. again Malinga…..
@Franshark (Comment 87) :
It wasn’t Malinga..
But very sad that he went cheaply.. Was hoping to see big things from him!
AB has to go on…… big one here
SA still looking at a 300 score here..
I’m out, time to hit the long road home..
Go SA!!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 88) :
it was Kulasenkara
there’s a hevty wind picking up… And the rain predictions looks like coming their way
SA 199/3 from 30 overs
SA 240/3 40 overs
First JP is out for 34
Then AB went for 96, he really deserved to get to that 100
And about straight after Faf is out……
Now SA are 252/6 after 42 overs
SA 265/6 after 45 Overs
13 runs off the 47th
Parnell run out……. 21(17)
289/7 48 overs
5 runs short from 300, one over to go
SA end on 299/7
SL to get 300
SL starting with a bang
first one down in the 4th over
SL 68/1 after 10 overs
SL 89/1 after 15 overs
wooooooooow!!!!!! what a catch…. Alvero PETERSON!!!!!!
Sankakara out bowled Peterson caught Peterson
Another great catch sees the end of Dilshan
SL 169/3 29.1 overs
120 balle, 127 runs
on the brink of the 35 over, Philander takes his first wicket
SL now 194/4 34.3 overs
Parnell gets a wicket but its overturn as it was a no-ball
88 runs from 80
big chance for a run out missed
63 needed from 64
10 overs 60 balls 56 runs……
oh yea, Lobsie gets the wicket of Chandimal
54 needed from 54 for SL
50……. 48……….
Perera hit two 6′s in two ball, goes to his first 50 and put SL way in front
35 needed from 42 balls
27 off 30
21 runs 24 balls
AB gambling, JP to bowl
14 from 18
4 to win for SL 12 balls to go
BIG BIG 6 to wi it with more than a over to spare……
MOTM: Perera 69(44) and two wickets
Disappointing to lose the match.
Its a shame the Proteas couldn’t kick on to a bigger score, they seemed to lose the plot in the last 25 overs?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 130) : still good exposure for youngsters..
Maybe one change for sundays game, J Botha haven’t had a game yet… If they wanna give Philander another go then they can replace Peterson just to give Botha a game….
@Franshark (Comment 131) :
I agree about the exposure for both Parnell and Philander, as well as Peterson and Ingram. What worries me though is that these are not youngsters, they are more backup players.
Agree Botha needs to play and he is one of our beter spinners@Franshark (Comment 131) :
Today we have 2 games going on…. The SA vs SL and The Shafks vs The Dolphins….
I’m gonna be out and missing the first part of the SA game….
enjoy a wonderful Sunday everyone… be blessed..
I come home with the score on 80/2 Peterson out for 6 and Faf out for 24. Smith on 40 and AB on 4 is batting
Smith 50…. 51(81)
SA 103/2 in 25
AB to another 50{47)
SA 179/2 35 overs
200 up in the 40th over
100 for Smith……. well played
150 partnership from 146 balls between AB and Smith
Smith hits his 4th 6′s the 2nd of the over
226/2 in 42 overs
SA got 240 in 30 overs in Kimberley, now they got to 240 in 43.2 overs but I suspect a biggar score here as the two guys are batting very well
wow, Dilshan drops AB and then miss a chance to run out Smith as he was a most on the other side to keep the strike
so hopeAB gets that 100 today, still 5 overs to go
SA 256/2
Smith out 125(143)
Albie comes in, he is the only change made to the team from Kimberley, replaced Philander
The look on Smiths face suggest that it might of been his last ODI innings—–
AB goes to his 100 with a great shot for 6 off Slinga
Albie run out, 18(11)
AB hits the next two balls for 6′s
301/4 one over to go
AB 125(98)
SA 312/4
Really happy for Graeme Smith,he’s been due a big score,also nice with AB also getting that century
SL innings about to start
SL 47/0 after 4, weather looking gloomy
the game is stopped by rain with SL on 57/0 after 7.1 overs
the game is back on
WICKET! – WU Tharanga c Duminy b Tsotsobe 46; blistering catch by Duminy!!! SL 72/1 (10ov).
SL 150/2 25overs – need 163 off 151
@Franshark (Comment 163) : lobsie got the 2nd wicket too
Parnell gets the 3rd wicket, Chandimal
111 runs needed 96 balls
only 63 runs in the last 10 overs
SL 250/3 40 overs
55 now needed from 48, very get-able
51 off 42
Sangakkara goes to his 100, 102(96)
39 needed off 35
2 balls later and Sanga is out, 102(97)
33_______30
19________24 (14 runs off that morne over)
Parnell gets another, Mathews 6(5)
17________18
9 off 12
JP bowling a good over 3 runs and a wicket
6 from 6
Peterson to bowl last over
bowled Peterson bowls Kulasekara 0
6______5
5___4
another wicket thirmanne 69(63)
5____3
5_____2
6
darn, SL win with one ball to go
MOTS: AB
That’s it for the series, hope you enjoyed that
this is why im a bit weary of just throwing young players into the team . Wayne Parnell was the best thing since sliced bread when he started . now ? he should not be near a cricket field …
HEAD THE WARNING !!!!