JOHANNESBURG, February 1 (ANA) – Faf du Plessis and David Miller scored centuries apiece to set the Standard Bank Proteas up for a 121-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second Momentum ODI at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Wednesday. This gives the Proteas a 2-0 lead in the series, leading into the third match at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on Saturday.
The pair came together after the Proteas, having been sent into bat, were reduced to 108/4 in the 20th over.
They quickly adapted to the pace of the wicket and excelled with their placement of the ball and their running between the wickets. Du Plessis made his seventh ODI century (105 off 120 balls, 7 fours and a six) and Miller his fourth (117 not out off 98 balls, 3 fours and 6 sixes) as they shared a record fifth wicket partnership against Sri Lanka of 117, beating the previous best of 100 between Neil McKenzie and Mark Boucher.
It was Miller’s second ODI century in a row at the ground where he started his first-class career following his match-winning century against Australia last year.
This partnership revealed the essential difference between the two teams as Sri Lanka once again struggled to put partnerships together with their best effort being the 45 for the first wicket between Niroshan Dickwella and Upul Tharanga,
For good measure Du Plessis also took three catches, the first of which to dismiss Dickwella was quite outstanding to be named Momentum Man of the Match.
The Sri Lankan wickets were shared around with Wayne Parnell, Imran Tahir and JP Duminy claiming two wickets each. – African News Agency (ANA)
