SL vs SA: Debutant Maheesh Theekshana Spins Sri Lanka To ODI Series Win Vs South Africa

Cricket Image for SL vs SA: Debutant Maheesh Theekshana Spins Sri Lanka To ODI Series Win Vs South A (Image Source: Google)

Skipper Dasun Shanaka hailed Maheesh Theekshana as a top prospect after the debutant spinner helped Sri Lanka thrash South Africa by 78 runs to clinch the one-day series 2-1 on Tuesday.

Theekshana, an off-spinner with a lethal carrom ball, returned figures of 4-37 as the hosts bowled out South Africa for 125 in 30 overs while chasing a target of 204 in the third ODI in Colombo.

The 21-year-old Theekshana made an instant impact with a wicket on his first delivery in international cricket as he sent opener Janneman Malan trudging back for 18.

Rain then briefly stopped play.

He then cut short wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen's innings on 22 to further dent the Proteas' chase. "Theekshana was our trump card," Shanaka said after the win. "He's more of a T20 bowler but I used him wisely in this match. He's a real prospect going forward."

Andile Phehlukwayo, who made 17, and George Linde, who scored 18, put up some resistance with a partnership of 36 for the seventh wicket. Theekshana combined with leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who took two wickets to polish off the tail with 20 overs remaining in the innings.

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