But it was Hendricks, a right-hand batsman who has played 12 Twenty20 internationals, who set up the win for his side
SA's Reeza Hendricks celebrates his 100 against Sri Lanka in Pallekele yesterday. Pic/PTI
Batsman Reeza Hendricks smashed a century on his ODI debut to set up South Africa's series-clinching 78-run win over Sri Lanka in the third match here yesterday. Hendricks made 102 off 89 deliveries to help South Africa post 363-7 before they bowled out the hosts for 285 in 45.2 overs and took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
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Dhananjaya de Silva did try to infuse life into the chase with a career-best 84 but Sri Lanka's batting crumbled under the ever-increasing run-rate. Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi claimed four wickets while fellow paceman Andile Phehlukwayo took three. But it was Hendricks, a right-hand batsman who has played 12 Twenty20 internationals, who set up the win for his side.
Hendricks, 28, became only the third South African batsman to register a hundred in his first ODI. Colin Ingram and Temba Bavuma are the other two. JP Duminy's 92 off 70 balls, and half-centuries by Hashim Amla and David Miller, also contributed to South Africa's imposing total after being put into bat first.
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