PALLEKELE: With nothing riding on the ODI series any more, Sri Lanka’s batsmen finally enjoyed themselves in a rain-affected fourth ODI against South Africa here at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Dasun Shanaka hit a 34-ball 65 containing four fours and five sixes as Sri Lanka -- after being put into bat by the home side -- blasted 306-7 off 39 overs in the rain-shortened game. Thisara Perera made an unbeaten 51 and Kusal Perera also hit 51 as the home side punished South Africa’s bowlers.
The part-time off-spin of J.P. Duminy was effective, however, with the veteran taking 2-35 from his six overs while the rest of the touring bowlers struggled to stop the flow of runs.
Sri Lanka are seeking consolation in the series, which they have already lost, with defeats in the first three games.
Scorecard
SRI LANKA:
N.Dickwella c de Kock b Duminy 34
Upul Tharanga b Mulder 36
Kusal Mendis lbw b Maharaj 14
Kusal Perera c Miller b Duminy 51
Angelo Mathews c de Kock b Ngidi 22
Dhananjaya de Silva c Dala b Ngidi 10
Thisara Perera not out 51
D. Shanaka c Mulder b Phehlukwayo 65
Akila Dananjaya not out 1
EXTRAS (LB-9, W-12, NB-1) 22
TOTAL (for seven wkts, 39 overs) 306
DID NOT BAT: Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara
FALL OF WKTS: 1-61, 2-92, 3-100, 4-159, 5-183, 6-195, 7-304
BOWLING: Ngidi 8-0-65-2; Dala 8-0-64-0; Phehlukwayo 6-0-45-1; Duminy 6-0-35-2; Mulder 6-0-51-1; Maharaj 5-0-37-1
UMPIRES: Paul Reiffel (Australia), Lyndon Edward Hannibal (Sri Lanka)
THIRD UMPIRE: Nigel Llong (England)
MATCH REFEREE: Javagal Srinath (India)
Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2018
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