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Cape Town - Proteas opener Hashim Amla is more comfortable than most at facing Sri Lanka's fast bowling ace Lasith Malinga.
Amla returned to the team on Sunday for the fourth ODI in Pallekele after missing last Friday's game due to knee and groin injuries. He also missed the first match in the series after waking up with a stiff neck.
But he was on song upon his return, smashing 77 off just 71 balls, albeit in a losing cause.
He handled the dangerous Malinga well, and even put pressure on the bowler with a trademark "slingshot" action.
Amla told the Cape Times that, for him, Malinga is a little bit easier to face as a right-handed batsman.
"He is a little bit easier to face as a right-hander, because the ball is obviously shaping away from you. I just tried to be as positive as I could, and the shots came off," he said.
Malinga took three for 52 in nine overs, while Quinton de Kock (8) and Robin Peterson (13) were left-handed players he dismissed.
Sri Lanka won Sunday's game by eight wickets to take an unassailable 3-1 series lead heading into Wednesday's final match in Colombo.
Following the ODI series, a three-match T20 series awaits.
Amla returned to the team on Sunday for the fourth ODI in Pallekele after missing last Friday's game due to knee and groin injuries. He also missed the first match in the series after waking up with a stiff neck.
But he was on song upon his return, smashing 77 off just 71 balls, albeit in a losing cause.
He handled the dangerous Malinga well, and even put pressure on the bowler with a trademark "slingshot" action.
Amla told the Cape Times that, for him, Malinga is a little bit easier to face as a right-handed batsman.
"He is a little bit easier to face as a right-hander, because the ball is obviously shaping away from you. I just tried to be as positive as I could, and the shots came off," he said.
Malinga took three for 52 in nine overs, while Quinton de Kock (8) and Robin Peterson (13) were left-handed players he dismissed.
Sri Lanka won Sunday's game by eight wickets to take an unassailable 3-1 series lead heading into Wednesday's final match in Colombo.
Following the ODI series, a three-match T20 series awaits.
