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