South Africa clinch Twenty20 series with victory over Sri Lanka

The Proteas scored 145 for six wickets before returning to restrict Sri Lanka to 123 for seven to go 2-0 up at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

South African bowler David Wiese, second right, celebrates taking the wicket of Sri Lanka batsman Angelo Mathews, left, with Faf du Plessis during yesterday's second Twenty20 match in Hambantota. SankShow more

South Africa clinched the three-match Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka following their 22-run victory in the second game in blustery conditions at Hambantota.

Beaten 4-1 in the preceding one-day international series, the visitors scored 145 for six wickets before returning to restrict Sri Lanka to 123 for seven to go 2-0 up at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis was thrilled to get his side back to winning ways.

"What a feeling, I thought we played a great game of cricket, to get 140 with the wind out there, tactically we were very good with the bowling," he said.

"Bowlers have it clear in their minds about what they want to do.

"We showed huge character after what happened in the one-day international series.

"Sri Lanka showed no mercy in the ODIs, and we certainly don't want to be showing them any. We want to climb up the Twenty20 rankings."

Kumar Sangakkara top-scored for the hosts with a 35-ball 39 and Thisara Perera was unbeaten on 22 as Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals to finish well short of the target.

Opting to bat first, South Africa slumped to 48 for three inside nine overs before JP Duminy (30) and AB de Villiers (15) added 38 runs in 4.4 overs.

It was, however, David Miller's 21-ball 36 that powered them to a challenging total which their bowlers defended with aplomb.

Lonwabo Tsotsobe (2-17) wrecked Sri Lanka's top order, including promising young batsman Dinesh Chandimal for 2, while Morne Morkel (2-34) took the important wicket of Sangakkara to derail Sri Lanka's chase.

"We haven't been great up top in the batting, we'll be working hard on that," Du Plessis said.

Man-of-the-match Miller said South Africa managed well in tricky conditions.

"JP batted really well, it was unbelievably good team effort," he said. "It was a bit of a gale force, but it was really good out there."

Chamdimal believed Sri Lanka just failed to get going.

"I think it was a gettable score, we just didn't bat well, that's why we lost the game," he said.

"I think Kusal and Sangakkara batted really well in the first eight-nine overs, after that we hit some rash shots, that's why we lost the game."

Both teams return to the same ground for the final Twenty20 international on Tueaday.

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