No good Fortuin for Sri Lanka as Proteas draw first blood

South Africa

Sri Lanka

SA won by 28 runs 163/5 135/6

IF Victor Mpitsang and the rest of the selection panel wanted to silence the critics of their World Cup selection, they’d have been pleased with what the South African spinners delivered in the opening T20 International against Sri Lanka yesterday.

Bjorn Fortuin, playing just his seventh match for the Proteas this year, was the most controversial selection for the T20 World Cup. It wasn’t about Fortuin’s ability. It’s rather the fact that Fortuin had played so little in 2021, while George Linde had played more and done so successfully, seemingly booking his ticket for the UAE. Instead yesterday Linde carried drinks.

The other less controversial choice for the World Cup was that of Keshav Maharaj. He may not have played a T20 International before this game, but such has been his form in the last 12 months that it’s clear the 31-year-old has an influential role in the Proteas dressing room.

He also continued with the captaincy for the T20 series having taken over from Temba Bavuma after the first ODI, and again showed excellent tactical awareness. With ball in hand Maharaj was magnificent in keeping the Sri Lankans bogged down.

In all Fortuin and Maharaj – albeit in just one match – went some way towards taking the pressure off Mpitsang for choosing them for the World Cup. Maharaj’s four overs cost 19 runs, and included a wicket with his first ball. Fortuin took a wicket with his last ball, bowling the Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka, and he conceded just 24 runs in four overs. The two left arm spinners bowled 23 dot balls between them.

The platform for South Africa’s win was provided by the batsmen, with the returning Quinton de Kock (36) and Reeza Hendricks (38) sharing an opening partnership of 73 off 59 balls.

Both fell to Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. However Aiden Markram and David Miller – who like De Kock missed the One-Day series – provided the innings with impetus.

Markram's 48 off 33 balls included one four and two sixes. Miller made 25 off 15 balls. The duo’s fourth wicket partnership was worth 65 runs, coming off only 35 balls and getting South Africa to a total that was just above par at the vast Premadasa Stadium.

Despite Sri Lankan opener Dinesh Chandimal making an unbeaten 66 the hosts failed to keep up with the required scoring rate.

The second match will be played on Sunday.