Sri Lanka finally broke their losing run in ODIs against the Proteas after winning a rain-disrupted fourth game in the five-match series by three runs on the D/L method at Pallekele on Wednesday evening.
ICC Twitter Sri Lanka finally got one up on Proteas in ODI matches
The Sri Lankans gave a much improved performance
on what they had previously managed in the series.
They finally
produced a solid opening partnership from Niroshan Dickwella and Upul Tharanga,
after they had lost the toss, of 61 in 11.3 overs and this laid the foundation
for their total of 306/7 in their allotted 39 overs which was finished in
spectacular style by Thisara Perera and Dasun Shanaka with their stand of 109
for the seventh wicket in just over 11 overs.
With play having
been shortened several times by weather interruptions, first to 45 overs, then
43 and finally 39, the Proteas were set a target of 308.
The other key to
the Sri Lankan victory was a much improved fielding display which was
highlighted by a direct hit run out by Shanaka to get rid of JP Duminy and an acrobatic
catch at short midwicket by Dhananjaya de Silva to account for Wiaan Mulder.
The Proteas made a
fine start to their chase when new captain Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla took
21 off the first two overs before a further rain delay saw them chasing a
revised target of 191 in 21 overs. In fact, they only got back on the field
with two minutes to spare to stop the game being washed out.
In fact, they only got back on the field with two minutes to spare to stop the game being washed out.
The Proteas looked
to have the chase well in hand as they kept their run rate in double figures
for the first half of the chase but they then lost wickets at regular intervals
to keep the home side in contention.
There were good
bowling contributions at the death by Thisara Perera and Suranga Lakmal that
eventually got the visitors home.
Shanaka, who had
not played an ODI for Sri Lanka for the best part of two years, was named Man
of the Match for his all-round contribution.
The Proteas take a
winning 3-1 series lead into the final match, also a Day/Night encounter, at
Colombo on Sunday.
