Sri Lankan skipper Lasith Malinga was not impressed with his team’s batting efforts in Centurion, saying they have talent but they need to realize the opportunity and make the most of it on the field following their second One Day International loss against South Africa on Wednesday, 6 March.

He hailed his team’s bowling in the second ODI of the five-match series at Supersport Park, where the Islanders managed to bowl the Proteas out for 251 in 45 overs, but their batting collapse led them to face a massive defeat of 113 runs here to 0-2 down in the ODI series.

Malinga urged Islanders to realize and value the opportunity that they have been offered as that don't come around every day, hoping to come good in the third ODI on 10 March in Kingsmead.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Malinga told media on Wednesday, “First 10-15 overs we did not bowl well. But we corrected ourselves and restricted them to 250. Very good effort from the bowlers. The batsmen didn't understand.”

He signed off by saying, “I think they didn't understand, I feel this is not a gift. They have talent. That's why they're playing for the national team. They have to understand that. They have to understand their own value. We have done enough talking. Players have to realize... they have to value these opportunities. They don't come around every day. They have to grab it.”

Meanwhile, South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis hailed teams’ complete efforts in Centurion, while heaped heavy praise on his pace trio of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje who shared seven wickets between them here to help the hosts to take a 2-0 lead in the ODI series.

De Plessis told media, “I suppose from a perfect game (it was rewarding). We probably would have wanted 40-50 runs after the start. You are not always gonna bat well and put up the runs. But you need your bowlers sometime to bail you out of trouble.”

He signed off by saying, “The three fast bowlers in tandem was good to see. Lungi hits the bat hard and always picks up wickets. He is a massive weapon for the team. He (Nortje) has got a huge tank to bowl 7 overs in a row and bowling them with control, good signs for us.”

(With Cricketnext Inputs)