Not too many super overs are being played in T20 internationals now a days but one such instance happened between the South Africa and Sri lanka on a low slow two paced pitch in Cape Town. Sri Lanka were put into bat by South Africa after Faf won the toss in what could have been a decision that would have backfired easily as even the target of 134 was difficult as the pitch became even more difficult to play shots in the second innings while chasing.
Dale Steyn opened the bowling for South Africa and removed Dickwella in the very first over and there after Sri Lanka lost wickets in regular intervals as they could not build a big partnership and eventually they ended up at 134 leaving South Africa to chase a mediocre 135 runs for Victory. Kamindu Mendis played a descent knock of 41 from 29 balls for Sri Lanka. Andile Phehlukwayo grabbed 3 wickets for South Africa.
South Africa then began their chasing and they never really got going as the pitch became terrible for batting with the odd ball keeping low and turning square for spinners. Lasith Malinga and Dhananjaya de Silva set the tone with the ball for Sri Lanka as their opening spell never allowed South African openers to get off to a good start as Hendricks was run out and de Kock and du Plessis also perished without scoring much, then came the match defining partnership between Van der Dussen and Miller. This partnership was taking South Africa comfortably home but there came another twist in the tale as Miller was run out for 41 from 23 balls and Sri Lamka again kept the match alive. South Africa needed just 5 runs off the last over with J P DUMINY and STEYN at the crease, Isuru Udana was given the responsibility and he conceded only 4 runs to take the match into the super over.
South Africa batted first in the super over with Miller and Dussen opening the batting. Malinga who earlier finished with the figures of 2 for 11 in his 4 overs bowled the super over. Miller struck a four and six in the super over and in the end South Africa finished with 14 runs from the super over.
With 15 required from the super over for Sri Lanka, Thisara Perera and Avishka Fernando came to bat and Tahir bowled the over. He managed to give only 5 runs and South Africa eventually won the game in the super over.
It was a dramatic finish in the end and these matches could well be a warm up that is needed before the big IPL as one can expect matches like these in IPL more often than not.
Bala'Blog 