Twitter Reactions: Kagiso Rabada and Tabraiz Shamsi star in South Africa's easy win

After winning the Test series comprehensively, Sri Lanka would’ve hoped to revive the fortunes in the limited-overs format against Sri Lanka. But they succumbed to their ninth consecutive defeat to South Africa in the ODIs and conceded a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The visitors, however, must have breathed a sigh of relief after what transpired in the Test series. However, the real stars of their resounding victory were Kagiso Rabada and Tabraiz Shamsi.

Rabada spit venom with the new ball and rattled the top-order of the hosts in the morning. He sent back Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Mendis in the first couple of overs of his spell and also scalped Shehan Jayasuriya to reduce them to 36/5 after 10 overs. In between, Lungi Ngidi also struck a body blow by picking the opposition skipper Angelo Mathews even as Upul Tharanga was run-out.

But the partnership between Kusal Perera and Thisara Perera revived things for them drastically. The duo counter attacked the backup bowlers Willem Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo and churned out some quick runs. They stitched a crucial stand of 92 runs in less than 10 overs. However, Thisara was foxed by Shamsi with his chinaman bowling on 49 to stall the spirited fightback of the home side.

Kusal though carried on superbly and played a wonderful knock of 81 runs on the back of which Sri Lanka were able to post a total of 193 runs. Only a couple of players managed to go past the score of 11 tells the hapless story of Sri Lankan batting.

Du Plessis and Duminy steer the chase

The chase was never going to be straightforward for South Africa given the way the ball was spinning. Hashim Amla’s lacklustre tour continued as he as castled by Akila Dananjaya for 19. Aiden Markram was pinned in front of the stumps off the very next delivery to unsettle the nerves in the South African camp. At 31/2, the game could’ve gone either side but the calmness of the skipper Faf du Plessis came to the fore.

He and Quinton de Kock stitched a stand of 86 runs and helped the team get close to the target. Both played some delightful strokes during their stay in the middle and most importantly were assured with their footwork against the spinners. The latter was sent back in the 21st over though as he tried to hoick across the line. Soon Du Plessis also returned after playing an awful shot. He fell short of a well-deserved half-century by just 3 runs.

The wicket of Du Plessis had created the jitters in the dressing room, but JP Duminy didn’t let the pressure get to him and played his shots freely. His experience facing the spinners helped the visitors big time and despite losing David Miller in the dying stages of the game, it turned out to be an easy win for them.

Duminy remained unbeaten on 53 in the end as South Africa sealed the chase with 19 overs to spare. Tabraiz Shamsi was named the Man of the Match for his excellent spell of 4/33. The series is nicely set up now with the tourists taking the lead and the home side will have to come back strongly in the next game.

Here’s how Twitter reacted during the game:

This Mulder kid can bat. He doesn't bat like an allrounder, he bats like a specialist batsman #SLvSA

— Vumile (@iVumza) July 29, 2018

That's a pretty big performance from Duminy, making me eat my words. #SLvSA

— Steve (@Steve64182365) July 29, 2018

Old days back. Good to see Duminy scoring runs. Vintage JP😉#SLvSA

— साधारण चेहरा, इतिहास गहरा (@chiku_ravi) July 29, 2018

#SLvSA Both can play a t20 match in the remaining time.

— Sir K L RAHUL (@SirKLRahul) July 29, 2018

This is exactly what I hate about DRS, the "umpires call". Batsman given out from a ball that less than half the ball pitches in-line with leg stump. It should be more than half the ball pitching in-line, also it must be hitting more than the outside of the stumps. #SLvSA pic.twitter.com/wqqqusa2Jr

— Nathan Watson (@NathanW39506373) July 29, 2018

The way Duminy has played the sweep shots against SL spinners, you would think that he should've played in the test series. Against spinners, it's all about the application of a special tactic. #SLvSA

— George AB Addict (@VijayIsMyLife) July 29, 2018

At this rate Kagiso Rabada will be in the conversation of the best ever athletes South Africa has ever produced. #SLvSA

— Iron duke Jr. (@Iron_Duke89) July 29, 2018

JP Duminy batting in ABD mode!#SAVSL #SLVSA

— Encrypted Layman!! (@FreddieFaizan) July 29, 2018

Sandakan bowling test lengths..#SLvSA

— Cham J (@Uppercut07) July 29, 2018

Duminy is probably one of the best players of spin in this South African line-up. The problem is I'm not sure he himself believes it often enough. #SLvSA

— Proteem Bhaduri (@piquant_prose) July 29, 2018

Duminy is that you?? 😳🔥🔥 #SLvSA pic.twitter.com/z1aXr7stKK

— MELANIN🌻 (@Katleho_Katz) July 29, 2018

David Miller and Angelo Mathews shouldn't be in the scheme of things for their countries heading into the World Cup.#SLvSA #SLvsSA

— Yash Agarwalla (@Yashagarwalla) July 29, 2018

The truth is @Angelo69Mathews is very unfit. He need to spend sometime recovering and getting back in shape and endurance. #SLvSA #cricket

— Yasiru Ranaraja (@yasiruranaraja) July 29, 2018

@jpduminy21 on fire today. Nice to see this from him… it's been a minute sir #SLvSA #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/5EwHEXm5cO

— Thami (@Thamzet) July 29, 2018

Good performance by the Proteas today, put that Test series defeat to bed once and for all and take 1-0 lead in the ODI series #SLvSA #Proteas

— Gareth Jenkinson (@gazza_jenks) July 29, 2018

220 was par on this deck against this South African batting even with white ball. Everyone they have other than du Plessis is useless in these conditions. Had Sandakan not been a total dogshit, even 193 would have been close. #SLvSA

— Abhishek (@Sajjanlaunda) July 29, 2018

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