DAMBULLA – Bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Tabraiz Shamsi starred in South Africa’s convincing five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international in Dambulla yesterday (29). Rabada and Man of the Match Shamsi claimed four wickets each to help bowl out Sri Lanka for 193, a total the visitors passed in just 31 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
South Africa’s chase depended on an 86-run third-wicket stand between Quinton de Kock and skipper Faf du Plessis, who both hit 47. Off spinner Akila Dananjaya struck at crucial moments to get three wickets but Jean-Paul Duminy ensured a swift chase with his 32-ball unbeaten 53.
But it was a superb opening pace spell from Rabada and Shamsi’s career-best figures of 4-33 with his left-arm wrist spin that led South Africa to their first victory on tour after being swept aside in a two-Test series.
Sri Lanka’s innings lasted just 34.3 overs but batsman Kusal Perera hit a gritty 81 to lift the hosts from a precarious 36-5 following their decision to bat first. Kusal put on a crucial 92-run sixth-wicket stand with Thisara Perera, who made 49 to give the team total some respect.
Kusal kept up the good work to get his fourth ODI fifty and got support from Akila Dananjaya with a 38-run partnership. South Africa had a wobbly start to their chase after opener Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram fell to the guile of Dananjaya, who opened the attack for the hosts.
The left-right batting combination of de Kock and du Plessis blunted Sri Lanka’s spin threat with their measured approach. However de Kock and du Plessis were denied their fifties. But Duminy kept calm to complete his 26th ODI half-century and the veteran left-hand batsman hit the winning runs.
The second international, a day-night game, is slated for Wednesday (August 1) in Dambulla.
Summary : South Africa 196 for 5 (Duminy 53*, de Kock 47, du Plessis 47, Dananjaya 3-50) beat Sri Lanka 193 (Kusal Perera 81, Thisara Perera 49, Shamsi 4-33, Rabada 4-41) by five wickets.-AFP
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