{
    "id": "45755",
    "author": "13",
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    "title": "Kusal Mendis in top 20 after historic series win vs South Africa",
    "lang": "en",
    "series": "387",
    "cup_year": "2019",
    "article_type": "General",
    "excerpt": "Dubai, Feb 24 (CRICKETNMORE): \u00a0Kusal Mendis, who put up an unbeaten 163-run stand with Oshada Fernando to take Sri Lanka past the finish line in the second Test match against South Africa, jumped 11 ",
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    "editor1": "<p><strong>Dubai, Feb 24 (CRICKETNMORE): <\/strong>&nbsp;Kusal Mendis, who put up an unbeaten 163-run stand with Oshada Fernando to take Sri Lanka past the finish line in the second Test match against South Africa, jumped 11 points to enter the Top-20 of the ICC Player Rankings, it was announced on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Sri Lanka&#39;s eight-wicket victory in the second Test in Port Elizabeth completed a historic 2-0 sweep over South Africa, making them the first Asian team to win a Test series in the country, according to the ICC&#39;s website.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mendis, who was also adjudged Player of the Match is now sitting at 18th spot.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Fernando also gained in the rankings, sitting at No.65 after jumping 35 spots with a career-best rating of 455.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Niroshan Dickwella, who scored an important 42 to take Sri Lanka&#39;s total past 150 in the first innings, advanced eight places to grab the 37th spot.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>South Africa players, predictably, slipped down the rankings.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Dean Elgar, who scored just 43 runs in four innings, moved down by seven spots to No.23. Temba Bavuma also slipped to No.38 (down by five spots).<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the bowlers&#39; rankings, Duanne Olivier and Suranga Lakmal climbed three spots each to No.19 and No.30 respectively.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Though South Africa had average returns with the ball, Olivier had a decent series, claiming seven wickets in two games to break into the top 20 early in his career. Vishwa Fernando, the leading wicket-taker with 12 scalps, moved up six places to No.43.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>There was no change in the top 15 in the all-rounder&#39;s rankings, with Jason Holder retaining his position at the top of the pile.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n",
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    "alt_img": "Kusal Mendis",
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    "seo_desc": "Dubai, Feb 24 (CRICKETNMORE): \u00a0Kusal Mendis, who put up an unbeaten 163-run stand with Oshada Fernando to take Sri Lanka past the finish line in the second Test match against South Africa, jumped 11 ",
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    "created": "2019-02-24 17:02:09",
    "updated": "2019-02-24 17:02:09",
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