Twitter Reactions: Faf du Plessis, Andile Phehlukwayo hand Sri Lanka a huge embarrassment

Despite the change of captaincy, the fortunes haven’t changed as yet for Sri Lanka. The side registered an embarrassing defeat against South Africa in the warm-up match. Bowlers failed to live up to the expectations and found it really tough against the strong Proteas line-up that bats quite deep. While Faf du Plessis was the best performer with the bat for his team, Andile Phehlukwayo was just unstoppable with the ball.

After being put into bat first, South Africa breathed a sigh of huge relief as Hashim Amla seemed to have found his touch back. The 36-year-old put up a top-class show at the head of the order scoring 65 runs from just 61 balls. He hit nine fours in his innings and looked a confident player. Skipper Faf made a valuable contribution scoring a quickfire 88 off 69 balls but failed to get to his hundred.

Rassie van der Dussen (40), JP Duminy (22), Andile Phehlukwayo (35) played vital knocks down the order. It was Chris Morris who gave the team finishing touches by scoring 26 off 13 balls. South Africa scored 338 runs in the innings as Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep picked up two wickets each.

Too much of an asking for Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews

In the chase, it was two of the most experienced players who did the bulk of the scoring for Sri Lanka. Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne led from the front by scoring 87 runs off 92 balls. However, his opening partner Kusal Perera could only manage to score a block while Lahiru Thimanne returned after getting 10 runs. Kusal Mendis kept the Asian team briefly interested with a good 31-ball 37 but couldn’t kick on after getting this start.

Angelo Mathews, the most experienced player in this line-up, rose up to the occasion and tried his level best. The all-rounder accrued 64 runs in 66 balls before JP Duminy got the better of him. Once he was dismissed, there was nothing left in the Sri Lankan lower order. They reeled quickly and were brought down from 220/5 to 251/10. The side was bowled out in 42.3 overs as they lost the match by 87 runs. Andile Phehlukwayo accounted for four wickets while Lungi Ngidi picked up two.

Twitterati was glad to see Andile Phehlukwayo perform well with the bat as well as the ball. However, they want him to maintain consistency. While the fans applauded Faf du Plessis, they lashed out at the Sri Lankan batsmen. The side has failed to apply itself well as a batting unit and couldn’t build partnerships at crucial stages.

Here are the reactions to South Africa’s win:

Great warm-up performance by @andileluck19 to get win for #ProteaFire against Sri Lanka #ICCWorldCup2019 pic.twitter.com/AHkjvt0xoi

— Estelle Greeff (@StellaG711) May 24, 2019

Looking at how Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 is playing in last 1 year or so , I won’t be surprised if they finish at bottom at #CWC19 , behind Bangladesh 🇧🇩 & Afghanistan 🇦🇫 #SAvSL

— Siddharth Jha (@jha_siddhus91) May 24, 2019

So it's not a good day for #SriLanka , #Pakistan and for me too 😞

— 👤Unique Person™ (@ahsan_ansaar) May 24, 2019

#SriLanka 251 all out. #Proteas win by 87 and getting warmed up. Plenty of plusses: #Hash vintage, #Faf at 3, #Ngidi brilliant, all rounders contributed with bat and Andile also brilliant with ball 4/36. Now SA talk to me about the questions, cause there are quite a few.

— Udo Carelse (@udocarelsesa) May 24, 2019

Karunaratne & Mathews among runs, good thing to take for Srilanka from the warm up match.

— Johns (@CricCrazyJohns) May 24, 2019

How's the change of captains working for you, Sri Lanka? #SAvSL

— Manya (@CSKian716) May 24, 2019

Should South Africa have decent campaign, Andile Phehlukwayo will be one of our standout performers, this man embodies Protea Fire!

— Basia Nonyana (@_Ngwanaofela) May 24, 2019

South Africa have an amazing team. They played really well. Amla is a delight to watch.

— Mohsin Mehmood (@mohsinmdar) May 24, 2019

Very good performance by South Africa. Batting was good, bowling as well. Fielding was good too. But for me Andile Phehlukwayo was the biggest positive. Good start from the Proteas. #SLvSA #CWC19 @cricketworldcup @OfficialCSA

— Anirudh Guru Dutt (@AnirudhDutt) May 24, 2019