Historic win keeps South Africa alive

South Africa welcomed their first ODI victory over Sri Lanka – in Sri Lanka – in more than 19 years on Friday, reducing the series deficit to two-one thanks largely to batsman David Miller's cavalier 85 not out and seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe's four key breakthroughs.
South Africa welcomed their first ODI victory over Sri Lanka – in Sri Lanka – in more than 19 years on Friday, reducing the series deficit to two-one thanks largely to batsman David Miller's cavalier 85 not out and seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe's four key breakthroughs.
After Miller had smashed an unbeaten 85 off 72 balls to give the tourists something to bowl at, Tsotsobe ripped the Sri Lankan top order apart, recording figures of four for 22 as the Proteas bowled their hosts out for just 167 to win the third ODI in Pallekele by 56 runs.
Only Thisara Perera, who blasted Robin Peterson for five sixes and a four off the 33rd over, provided any real resistance, but he could not prevent South Africa from reducing their deficit to 2-1 with 40 balls to spare.
Skipper AB de Villiers opted to bat after winning the toss but his side got off to a dreadful start as they slumped to 53 for three, Lasith Malinga accounting for Alviro Petersen and Perera dismissing both Quinton de Kock and JP Duminy inside the first 16 overs.
De Villiers' 47 helped to steady the ship before he was caught behind off Ajantha Mendis, the first of his three wickets for 35 runs, but it was then that Miller took up the challenge.
The 24-year-old smashed five sixes and four fours, scoring 35 off the last 10 balls as South Africa ended their innings on 223 for seven.
Sri Lanka's reply got off to a shaky start when opener Tillakaratne Dilshan spooned a mis-timed drive off Tsotsobe to de Villiers at extra cover and departed for six with just 14 on the board.
They slipped to 14 for two three balls later when Kumar Sangakkara went for a duck, Duminy taking the catch in the covers to hand Tsotsobe his second wicket of the over.
Upul Tharanga's involvement ended with only two more having been added when he edged Tsotsobe to first slip, and it took a dogged stand between Mahela Jayawardene and Dinesh Chandimal to put the Sri Lankans back on track.
However, Peterson broke the 55-run partnership when he clean bowled Jayawardene for 24 with an arm ball, and when Ryan McLaren nicked Chandimal to wicketkeeper De Kock on 29 and Angelo Perera and Angelo Matthews soon followed, Sri Lanka were reduced to 93 for seven.
But Perera gave his side hope with a brutal assault, hitting Petersen for five sixes and a four from the 33rd over, which also included a wide, to take the score to 129 for seven.
While he remained at the wicket Sri Lanka had a fighting chance, but once he had holed out to Faf du Plessis for 65 off Farhaan Behardian (three for 19), the writing was on the wall and Malinga and Mendis failed to delay the inevitable.
Latest
-
News
Dan Lawrence adamant he will stick to ‘unique’ batting technique in Test arena
The 23-year-old should make his Test debut when England start their two-match series against Sri Lanka.
-
News
Steve Smith criticised for appearing to scuff Rishabh Pant’s guard in third Test
Former Australia captain Steve Smith was branded “childish” after an incident during the final day of their drawn third Test against India
-
News
Tim Paine admits he let the Australian bowlers down
Australia captain Tim Paine believes he was at least partially to blame for his side failing to bowl India.
-
News
Testing times on tour in Sri Lanka – the life of an international cricketer
Gloucestershire’s James Bracey is on his first overseas tour with England. Here he writes about his experiences so far in Sri Lanka.
-
News
India salvage unlikely draw in third Test against Australia
India salvaged an unlikely draw as the third Test against Australia reached a thrilling finale.
-
News
Chris Silverwood backs ‘fighter’ Dan Lawrence to make step up to Test cricket
The Essex batsmen is in line for an England Test debut against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
-
News
Ravichandran Ashwin condemns alleged racial abuse of Mohammed Siraj by SCG fans
Play was halted on day four of the third Test between Australia and India while six spectators were escorted out of Sydney Cricket Ground by police.
-
News
Investigation launched after Indian players allegedly abused by crowd in Sydney
Play was held up while police and security guards escorted six people from Sydney Cricket Ground.
-
News
Jos Buttler determined to keep standards high with gloves and bat in Sri Lanka
The 30-year-old has Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow for competition in the England side.
-
News
England’s Dom Bess thinks pitch for Friday’s warm-up won’t be repeated in series
England finally took to the pitch in Hambantota for a low-key workout between Team Root and Team Buttler.