Dynamic Dwaine and Andile lead Proteas to another whitewash

It took until the final game of the home international season for the Proteas to finally see the batting ability of Dwaine Pretorius, but as they say: better late than never.

The Highveld Lions all-rounder took full advantage of being promoted to No 3 in the third T20 against Sri Lanka at the Wanderers on Sunday, smashing an unbeaten 77 off just 42 deliveries and playing a major role in the victory by 45 runs on the DLS-mehtod.

As a result, the hosts secured a 3-0 series whitewash.

There had been quite a few occasions in this campaign where Pretorius had bowled steadily to show he could easily bowl a full quota of overs at the World Cup.

Yet national coach Ottis Gibson and regular skipper Faf du Plessis have stated previously that they want a batting all-rounder at the showpiece tournament in England.

Seven fours and three crunching leg-side sixes later, the 29-year-old looks set to have secured himself a ticket.

He had come in with South Africa in a bit of difficulty after a slow start, but was dynamic from the start and shared a fine 90-run second-wicket stand with Reeza Hendricks, who gradually accelerated to reach 66 off 51.

JP Duminy applied a nice finishing touch to the Proteas’ effort of 198/2 with a crunching, unbeaten 34 off just 14.

Pretorius’ good day continued as he took a wicket with the first ball of his only over, but it was Andile Phehlukwayo that rammed home the advantage.

The canny seamer took 4/24 as Sri Lanka’s batting order once again failed to fire.

He also took the key wicket of Isuru Udana, South Africa’s sole torturer with the bat, too after a rain break reduced the islanders’ chase to 17 overs.

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