Sri Lanka register dominant win against South Africa to impart respectability to the 3-2 scoreline

by Saksham Mishra Sunday 12 August 2018

Sri Lanka's Dhananjaya de Silva (R) hits a boundary next to South Africa's wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.

©REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte

The Test series proved to be a disaster for South Africa but they bounced back strongly in the ODIs. The solitary T20 to be played on 14 August will mark the end of South Africa's Sri Lanka tour.

FULL SCORECARD

Sri Lanka 299/8 (49.6)
South Africa 121/10 (24.4)

Sri Lanka won by 178 runs

Dananjaya destroys South Africa as Sri Lanka finish on a high! He takes his ODI best 6/29 as the visitors are dismissed for just 121, their lowest ever total against Sri Lanka, and lose by 178 runs. South Africa win the series 3-2.#SLvSA scorecard ?? https://t.co/IdAfWHipwX pic.twitter.com/bSiAzSAI9J
— ICC (@ICC) August 12, 2018

Batting first, Sri Lanka put up a good 50 run-stand with Niroshan Dickwella and Upul Tharanga batting well. Junior Dala drew first blood in the 9th over to dismiss Taranga.

Kusal Perera soon fell to Under19 fame all-rounder Willem Mulder. However, Sri Lanka bounced back from the two quick dismissals with Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva contributing 30s. But it was actually the unbeaten 97-run captain's knock from Angelo Mathews which set South Africa a target of 300.

Willem Mulder and and Andile Phehlukwayo were the pick of the bowlers for South Africa, bagging two wickets each.

In reply, South Africa never looked like chasing the target as opener Hashim Amla (0) was castled by Suranga Lakmal in the first over. Quinton de Kock (54) and Aiden Markram (20) tried to show some fight but they had absolutely no contribution from the middle and lower order.

A stunning 6/29 to guide Sri Lanka to their second biggest win by runs against South Africa sees Akila Dananjaya named the 5th ODI Player of the Match! ?? #SLvSA pic.twitter.com/AVe9mCv8wI
— ICC (@ICC) August 12, 2018

South Africa were left flummoxed by the wizardry of mystery spinner Akila Dananjaya. Dhananjay recorded figures of 29 for 6 and accounted for the chunk of the top order South African wickets, inflicting a massive 178-run loss over South Africa.

Newly appointed Captain Quinton de Kock was the only bright spot for the Proteas as he tried to show some fight with almost run-a-ball 50.

The Test series proved to be a disaster for South Africa but they bounced back strongly in the ODIs. The solitary T20 to be played on 14 August will mark the end of South Africa's Sri Lanka tour.