Twitter Reactions: Clinical Asalanka and crafty Theekshana help Sri Lanka to a series victory over South Africa

Sri Lanka produced a clinical all-round performance in the third ODI to thrash South Africa by a margin of 78 runs to seal the three-match ODI series 2-1. Batting first, the Sri Lankan outfit posted a total of 203/9 on the board.

Charith Asalanka was yet again the saviour of the Sri Lankan side with the willow in hand. The left-hander scored a sedate 71-ball 47 and kept the South African bowlers at bay. Dhananjaya de Silva too contributed a handy 31 off 44 deliveries.

Useful contributions lower down the order from the likes of Dushmantha Chameera and Chamika Karunaratne helped Sri Lanka go past the 200-run mark. While Chameera scored 29 off 39 deliveries, Karunaratne scored a 39-ball 16. For South Africa, left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj was the pick of the bowlers. Maharaj scalped 3 wickets in the 10 overs that he bowled, and gave away 38 runs.

South African batting line up comes a cropper

Chasing a target of 204, the South African side produced a poor performance in reply. The Proteas’ innings lasted just 30 overs, as the visitors were bowled out for a paltry total of 125. In fact, apart from Heinrich Klaasen, who scored 22, none of the other South African batsmen could even cross the 20-run mark.

Maheesh Theekshana spun a web around the South African batsmen and suffocated them with his guile and accuracy. Playing his first ODI match in Sri Lankan colours, Theekshana scalped 4 wickets in the 10 overs that he bowled, and also leaked runs at an economy rate of just 3.70 runs per over.

Apart from Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera chipped in with a couple of wickets as well. Dushmantha Chameera won the Player of the Match award for his useful contributions with both bat and ball. The two teams will next face off in a three-match T20I series which will commence on 10th September 2021. All 3 T20Is will be played at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Sri Lanka’s victory over South Africa

Congratulations Sri Lanka… really well deserved 👍👌#SLvSA

— Netizen.😎 (@im_me25) September 7, 2021

Sri Lanka beat South Africa in an ODI series after 8 years #SLvSA

— Mohamed Nishath (@Nishath143) September 7, 2021

Well done Sri Lanka!!
Congratulations!! 😍👏🏼#SLvSA

— G a i y a 🔥 (@Gaveenk) September 7, 2021

Maheesh Theekshana's 4/37 is the best ever spell by a Sri Lankan Spell on his ODI debut.

4th best overall for Sri Lanka#CricStatsSL#SAvSL

— Aqeeb (@Aqibmzm) September 7, 2021

What a gutsy performance & a massive victory for the new look #SriLanka team! Brilliant to see the energy & enthusiasm of this young team. Congratulations to @dasunshanaka1 & the entire squad including coach @Mickeyarthurcr1 & support staff on the series victory! #SLvSA 🇱🇰#ජයගමු

— Namal Rajapaksa (@RajapaksaNamal) September 7, 2021

This is an excellent series win but this does not ensure glory every series
This is a young team going through a learning curve so definitely there will be ups and downs but this team will surely bring back the old vibes 💪
Believe 👊
Sri Lanka ❤️

— Eᗪᗯᗩᖇᗪ KEᑎᗯᗩY (@Edward_K_) September 7, 2021

Sri Lanka's first series win in 18 months. And not to forget they almost won against India as well. Extremely proud of them. Back to back series wins for 'em. Backing 'em to win the T20I series as well. #SLvSA

— Parth (@Parth02834600) September 7, 2021

Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 78 runs in the third ODI and won the series 2-1. Maheesh Theekshana took 4 wickets on his debut – the star was Asalanka through the ODI series with his consistent performance in the middle order.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 7, 2021

#SriLanka 🇱🇰 : 203/9 (50 ov) #SouthAfrica 🇿🇦 : 125 (30 ov)
Sri Lanka won by 78 runs & won the 3 match series 2-1
Player of the match : Dushmantha Chameera (Sri Lanka)
Player of the match : Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka)
3rdODI #SLvSA 🏏 pic.twitter.com/LWIonYDptU

— Ishara Isuru 🏏⚽️🏉 (@Ishisuru1) September 7, 2021