2nd T20 Sri Lanka v South Africa: Proteas win by 22 runs to lead series 2-0

South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 22 runs in the second Twenty20 international in wind-swept Hambantota on Sunday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

JP Duminy scored 30 off 23 balls and David Miller hit an aggressive 21-ball 36 as the Proteas reached 145-6 after electing to take first strike in the day-night match.

Fast bowlers Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Morne Morkel then claimed two wickets each as Sri Lanka, the world's top-ranked Twenty20 side, were restricted to 123-7 by an impressive South African fielding display.

Kumar Sangakkara played a lone hand for the hosts with an attractive 39 off 35 balls, but he was only one of three batsmen who crossed 30 in difficult conditions for both teams due to the stiff breeze.

The series win helped South Africa salvage pride after an embarrassing 4-1 defeat in the preceding one-day internationals.

The tourists, who won the first Twenty20 game by 12 runs in Colombo on Friday, will be looking to secure a series whitewash when the final match is played in Hambantota on Tuesday.

Left-armer Tsotsobe removed danger man Mahela Jayawardene and captain Dinesh Chandimal in his first three overs with both batsmen falling to catches by wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock.

Morkel claimed the vital wicket of Sangakkara, caught superbly in the covers by David Wiese, before having Nuwan Kulasekara caught behind.

Thisara Perera remained unbeaten on 22 off 20 balls as the South Africans fielded superbly to keep the runs in check.

Earlier, aggressive batting by Duminy and Miller helped the tourists recover after they were reduced to 48-3 in the ninth over.

The tourists were unchanged for the second game, while Sri Lanka brought in Jayawardene and Kulasekara in place of Tillakaratne Dilshan and Jeevan Mendis.

Seamer Kulasekara finished with two for 22, while Sachithra Senanayake claimed two for 18 in four steady overs of off-spin bowling.

Opener de Kock scored 19 and star batsman AB de Villiers was run out on 15.

The third and final T20 match of the series is on Tuesday at the same venue.

Sri Lanka will remain No. 1 in the rankings if they win the dead rubber on Tuesday.

If they lose Pakistan will become the top T20 side.

SRI LANKA INNINGS

South Africa restricted Sri Lanka to 123 for seven to win the second Twenty20 international by 22 runs at Hambantota on Sunday and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Chasing a target of 146, Sri Lanka's top order never really got going.

Kusal Perera flattered to deceived scoring 21 off 22 balls with three boundaries.

Tsotsobe got the big wicket of Mahela and skipper Chandimal cheaply.

Sangakkara tried to hold the innings together scoring 39 off 35 balls with four hits to the fence.

Thirimanne (18) shared in a brief partnership with Sangakkara but with Mathews also failing to fire, the Sri Lanka innings crumbled.

Tsotsobe and Morkel claimed two wickets apiece.

Lanka need 28 off the last over bowled by Parnell with Thisara Perera on strike. SL 118-7 in 19 overs.

Kulasekera smashes a six off Morkel but is out next ball caught behind. SL 112-7.

Nuwan Kulasekara c de Kock b Morkel 11 (9b 0x4 1x6)

Lanka need 40 from 12 balls being 105-6 in 18 overs.

Thisara Perera opens with a streaky boundary off Morkel. SL 97-6 in 16 overs.

Wiese takes a brilliant catch in the deep as Sangakkara tries to loft Morkel over extra cover. SL 90-6.

Kumar Sangakkara c Wiese b Morkel 39 (35b 4x4 0x6)

Double blow for Sri Lanka as Mathews lofting to AB de Villiers at long on off Weise. SL 88-5.

Angelo Mathews c de Villiers b Wiese 1 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Parnell strikes a crucial blow rattling the stumps of Thirimanne. SL 85-4.

Lahiru Thirimanne b Parnell 18 (18b 1x4 0x6)

Tahir has been warned for running onto the pitch twice in this over.

Sangakkara slams Wiese over the umpire's head for a boundary. SL 75-3 in 12 overs.

Thirimanne flicks Wiese to fine leg for a boundary. SL 61-3 in 10 overs.

Tahir strikes with his second delivery trapping Kusal leg before who attempts a reverse sweep. SL 48-3.

Kusal Perera lbw b Tahir 21 (22b 3x4 0x6)

Leg-spinner Tahir into the attack in the ninth over.

Sangakkara gets into his stride with three consecutive boundaries off Parnell, including two edges past the keeper. SL 42-2 in 6 overs.

Tsotsobe strikes again as Chandimal is dismissed cheaply being caught behind. SL 27-2.

Dinesh Chandimal c de Kock b Tsotsobe 2 (7b 0x4 0x6)

Kusal gets going cracking consecutive boundaries off Morkel lofting over mid-off and driving through cover point with superb timing.

Kusal Perera chips Morkel to the midwicket fence for his first boundary.

Tsotsobe strikes with the final delivery of the first over as Mahela gets an outside edge through to the keeper. SL 8-1 in 1 over.

Mahela Jayawardene c de Kock b Tsotsobe 6 (5b 1x4 0x6)

Mahela chips Tsotsobe to square leg for the first boundary of the innings.

Kusal Perera and Mahela Jayawardene open the innings for Sri Lanka while Tsotsobe is with the new ball.

SOUTH AFRICA INNINGS

South Africa made 145 for six after opting to bat first in the second T20 international against Sri Lanka at Hambantota on Sunday.

Duminy made 30 off 23 balls with three boundaries but it was David Miller who lifted Proteas with 36 off 21 balls with two sixes and a boundary.

Kulasekera and Senanayake claimed two wickets apiece.

Parnell smashes Malinga straight down the ground.

Chandimal takes a good catch in the deep as Miller skies Kulasekera. SA 132-6.

David Miller c Chandimal b Kulasekara 36 (21b 1x4 2x6)

Miller drives Malinga past point for a boundary. SA 128-5 in 18 overs.

Miller hits his second six slamming Mendis back over his head. SA 119-5 in 17 overs.

Senanayake strikes with Mathews holding onto a skier from Duminy. SA 105-5.

Jean-Paul Duminy c Mathews b Senanayake 30 (23b 3x4 0x6)

Miller dances down track and hoists Mathews over long-on for a towering six. SA 102-4 in 15 overs.

Duminy gets another boundary off Mendis slamming to midwicket. SA 91-4 in 14 overs.

AB de Villiers is run out to a brilliant throw by Kusal attempting a quick single. SA 86-4.

AB de Villiers run out 15 (14b 1x4 0x6)

AB de Villiers smashes Mathews for a boundary.

Mendis goes for 15 in his second over as Duminy goes on the offensive cracking a couple of boundaries. SA 76-3 in 12 overs.

Malinga returns to strike a major blow bowling Faf du Plessis with a toe crusher that took his middle stump. SA 48-3.

Faf du Plessis b Malinga 12 (15b 0x4 1x6)

Faf du Plessis hits the first six of the match smashing Mathews over long on.

Quinton cracks consecutive boundaries off Kulasekera edging past slip and then whips to midwicket. SL 28-1 in 5 overs.

Quinton gets another boundary with a lovely shot to midwicket.

Quinton de Kock hits the first boundary albeit a streaky one which hisses past Mahela at slip off Senanayake. SA 19-1 in 4 overs.

Kulasekera strikes beating Davids through the gate with a huge in dipper. SA 11-1.

Henry Davids b Kulasekara 7 (10b 0x4 0x6)

There is a strong breeze blowing across the ground with Kulasekera swinging the ball around.

Quinton de Kock and Henry Davids open for South Africa while Nuwan Kulasekera is with the new ball.

South Africa have won the toss once again and opted to bat in the second T20 international against Sri Lanka at Mahinda Rajapakse International Stadium in Hambantota on Sunday.

Sri Lanka have made two changes to the side which lost on Friday with Mahela Jayawardene as expected replacing Dilshan while Nuwan Kulasekara comes in for Jeewan Mendis.

South Africa are unchanged.

PLAYING XI

Sri Lanka - Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Kusal Perera, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekera and Ajantha Mendis

South Africa - Quinton de Kock, Henry Davids, Faf du Plessis (captain), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller, David Wiese, Wayne Parnell, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

Sri Lanka will aim to bounce back when they take on South Africa in the second Twenty20 international with the venue shifting to Hambantota on Sunday.

South Africa won the low-scoring opening match at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday defending a small total of 115-9 winning by 12 runs.

Sri Lanka are likely to recall veteran Mahela Jayawardene at the expense of Tillakaratne Dilshan as they continue the rotation policy.

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