Opening batsman Reeza Hendricks hit a high-quality 65 as South Africa scored 180 for three in the second Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka at SuperSport Park on Friday.
Hendricks started the season as one of the favourites to make South Africa's squad for the Cricket World Cup later this year but a run of poor form, together with the resurgence of Aiden Markram, put his chances in doubt.
Markram opened the batting with Hendricks on Friday but was out for three in the second over.
Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen (64) then took charge in a second wicket stand of 116 off 78 balls. While Van der Dussen's innings was marked by power hitting, which brought him four fours and three sixes, Hendricks oozed class as he struck nine fours in a 46-ball innings marked by fluent off-side drives.
Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga, who sent South Africa in to bat, ended the stand when Hendricks hit a slower ball to mid-off. Off-spinner Akila Dananjaya bowled Van der Dussen two overs later and the scoring rate slowed briefly before South African stand-in captain JP Duminy finished the innings with a flourish, scoring 33 not out off 17 balls.
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