SL v SA 2018: Akila Dhananjaya 'bamboozled' South Africa, says Quinton de Kock

Dhananjaya ended with the career-best figures of 6 for 29 in the ODI cricket against South Africa.

De Kock louded Akila for his Colombo ODI show | AFP

South African stand-in skipper Quinton de Kock was all praise for Sri Lankan leg-spinner Akila Dhananjaya, saying the Proteas batsmen failed to pick him in the final One Day International in Colombo on Sunday (12 August). De Kock also admitted that 24-year-old spinner 'bamboozled' the South African batsmen in Colombo.

Dhananjaya, who ended with the career-best figures of 6 for 29 in the ODI cricket, played a key role in Sri Lanka’s massive 178-run win over South Africa in the final ODI, though, the visitors sealed the series 3-2 despite losing the final encounter to the hosts.

As per reports in Cricbuzz, De Kock said in the post-match press conference, “Dhananjaya bowled really well. We have played him well in the whole series before coming up to this game. But I think tonight it was very difficult to pick him initially. He bowled really well. A guy with his skill is obviously looking to get his skills better. He performed really well and somehow just bamboozled us.”

He further added, “We tried our best, especially the fourth ODI, I thought we batted really well but we just didn't finish it at the end. But in tonight's (Sunday's game) Dhananjaya bowled really well.”

The wicket-keeper has counted the ODI series win in Sri Lanka as a big plus point for the Proteas after being overwhelmed in the Test series.

De Kock signed off by saying, “To come to Sri Lanka and the sub-continent, it is always difficult to win series here. We saw in the Test matches, it was never easy for us. We came into the ODIs down, and winning the first few matches and the series is pleasing for us as a team. To do it in the first few matches is a big plus, it was never easy initially but we did it.”

 

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 13 Aug, 2018

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