This time the luck was on the other side

POTCHEFSTROOM: South Africa A (SA ‘A’) suffered a crushing defeat as they lost five wickets for just 45 runs, missing the chance to level their one-day series against Sri Lanka A (SL ‘A’). Instead, they succumbed to a 30-run defeat in the second match at JB Marks Oval on Monday, handing the visitors an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Despite a strong start, where Matthew Breetzke top-scored with an assured 74 off 80 balls (4 fours, 1 six), South Africa found themselves in a promising position at 194 for five in the 33rd over, needing just 76 more runs to win. However, Dushan Hemantha’s brilliant five-wicket haul for 48 runs turned the game on its head, leading to South Africa being bowled out for 239 with 8.5 overs remaining.

This disappointing collapse meant the final match on Wednesday will be a dead rubber. The hosts, however, will likely be reflecting on what could have been after they restricted Sri Lanka A to 269 for seven earlier in the day, having won the toss and opted to bowl first.

South African bowlers, led by Andile Simelane (2/24) and Andile Phehlukwayo (2/51), delivered an improved performance compared to the first match, where they conceded nearly 300 runs. Lahiru Udara (86 off 95 balls, 11 fours, 1 six) and Sahan Arachchige (52 off 56 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) were the top scorers for Sri Lanka A.

In their chase, South Africa A made a solid recovery from the early loss of David Bedingham (7), with Meeka-eel Prince (44) and Senuran Muthusamy (37) helping to stabilise the innings. But regular wickets stymied their progress, and despite late efforts from Simelane (27) and Phehlukwayo (24), Hemantha’s spell decimated the tail, securing a comfortable win for the visitors.

South Africa A One-Day Squad Against Sri Lanka A

- Matthew Breetzke (captain, Dafabet Warriors)

- David Bedingham (World Sports Betting Western Province)

- Eathan Bosch (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)

- Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans)

- Tony de Zorzi (World Sports Betting Western Province)

- Dayyaan Galiem (Momentum Multiply Titans)

- Tristan Luus (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)

- Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province)

- Andile Mogakane (Dafabet Warriors)

- Senuran Muthusamy (North West Dragons)

- Andile Phehlukwayo (Momentum Multiply Titans)

- Meeka-eel Prince (North West)

- Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)

- Lutho Sipamla (DP World Lions)

- Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions)

South Africa A Four-Day Squad Against Sri Lanka A

- Neil Brand (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans)

- Marques Ackerman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)

- Matthew Breetzke (Dafabet Warriors)

- Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans)

- Tshepang Dithole (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)

- Jean du Plessis (Dafabet Warriors)

- Patrick Kruger (Dafabet Warriors)

- Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans)

- Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province)

- Migael Pretorius (North West Dragons)

- Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors)

- Lutho Sipamla (DP World Lions)

- Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)

- Beyers Swanepoel (Dafabet Warriors)

- Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions)

South Africa A Tour Against Sri Lanka A Schedule

One-Day Matches:

- Saturday, 31 August at 10:00: South Africa A lost to Sri Lanka A by 93 runs – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

- Monday, 02 September at 10:00: South Africa A lost to Sri Lanka A by 30 runs – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

- Wednesday, 04 September at 10:00: South Africa A vs Sri Lanka A – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

Four-Day Matches:

- 08 – 11 September at 10:00: South Africa A vs Sri Lanka A – Kimberley Oval, Kimberley

- 15 – 18 September at 10:00: South Africa A vs Sri Lanka A – Willowmoore Park, Benoni