JSK'S HENDRICKS DAZZLING IN SRI LANKA

Joburg Super Kings opener Reeza Hendricks has made an exhilarating start to the Lanka Premier League.

Hendricks, playing for the Dambulla Sixers, has struck consecutive half-centuries.

After a relatively quiet ICC Men's T20 World Cup with the Proteas in the US and Caribbean last month, the stylish right-hander was immediately back into his work against the Jaffna Kings.

The Kings posted a mammoth 218/5, with Pretoria Capitals’ Rilee Rossouw contributing 12 off 11 balls to the total.

Hendricks knew he needed to get the Sixers’ innings off to a flying start if they were to haul in the total.

Playing with a great deal of freedom, Hendricks struck 80 off 50 balls (9x4, 3x6), but was dismissed when Bangladesh star Azmatullah Omarzai completed a brilliant reflex caught-and-bowled to end the Sixers' challenge.

Hendricks and the Dambulla Sixers', however, bounced back immediately in the next match against the Colombo Strikers.

The 35-year-old stroked 54 off 39 balls (4x4, 3x6), forming part of a scintillating 154-run partnership off 88 balls with Kusal Perera, as Dambulla won.

Perera had earlier in the week struck the fastest T20 century in the Lanka Premier League - off 50 balls.

SA20 INTEREST IN LANKA PREMIER LEAGUE

B-Love Kandy (defending champions): none

Colombo Strikers: none

Dambulla Sixers: *Reeza Hendricks, *Nuwan Thushara SL (from Jaffna Kings)

Galle Marvels: *Dwaine Pretorius, Bhanuka Rajapaksa SL & *Graham Ford (head coach)

Jaffna Kings: *Fabian Allen, *Rilee Rossouw, *Tabraiz Shamsi (from Galle Titans)

*new signings