South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2017, 2nd ODI - 5 Talking Points

#3 Spinners fail to shine

Sandakan provided a vital breakthrough but failed to control South Africa’s batsmen

The Durban pitch on offer was on the slower side, unlike the last time when Australia made 371, which was chased down by South Africa. But Sri Lanka seemed to be overly eager to exploit any slowness in the wicket as they went in with four spinners for the match.

Lakshan Sandakan, a chinaman, Dhananjaya de Silva, an off break bowler, Sachith Pathirana and Chaturanga de Silva, both slow left arm bowlers were the spinners in the Lankan line-up. Unfortunately, none of them could stop du Plessis and Miller and Lanka were left scratching their heads.

Sandakan provided a vital breakthrough by dismissing de Villiers but failed to bowl consistently threatening lines. Pathirana and the two de Silva's were mediocre at best and South African batsmen had no trouble negotiating them.