Sri Lanka 320 for 5 (Sangakkara 169, Morkel 2-34) beat South Africa 140 (Herath 3-25, Perera 3-31) by 180 runs
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It was not exactly 624 but Kumar Sangakkara's career-best had a similar effect as the 2006 record stand
he put on with Mahela Jawaywardene against the same opposition seven
years ago. Sangakkara's 169 was his 16th ODI century, the highest score
by a Sri Lankan batsman at home, which sent him past Ian Bell as the
second highest run-scorer in ODIs this year and took his 2013 average to
75.55. It was also the difference between the two sides at the
Premadasa Stadium.
Sangakkara dominated the South African attack with unusual aggression.
He built his innings to a crescendo, scoring 66 runs off the first 91
balls and 103 from the next 46 and bulleted the leg side with
boundaries. Almost 78% of his runs - 131 - came on the on side.
He made all South African bowlers - from their seamers who persisted
with the short ball to their sitting duck trio of spinners - appear
ineffectual and set their batsmen a target that would require them to
complete the highest successful chase at the ground. That set Sri Lanka
up to subject South Africa to their second-biggest loss and begin
Russell Domingo's tenure on a difficult note.
South Africa went into the fixture understaffed, with Lonwabo Tsotsobe
unfit for selection and Hashim Amla missing out because of an overnight
neck problem. But they also seemed underprepared despite a week of
training on the island.
Morne Morkel and Chris Morris bowled 19 deliveries between them in the
first two overs because of the seven wides they sent down. To add insult
to that ill-discipline, Morkel had Upul Tharanga dropped on nought by
Alviro Petersen in the first over after the quick changed angles to
round the wicket as he tried to find his line.
Morris discovered his soon after and bowled Tillakaratne Dilshan for 10
but Tharanga was there to remind South Africa what an error can cost. He
took advantage of any width and put on 70 with Sangakkara before inside
edging onto his stumps off Morkel.
Sangakkara and Jayawardene evoked even more memories of 2006 in their
stint at the crease together. In their 74-run stand, Jayawardene
dispatched the short ball at will while Sangakkara dealt with the
spinners. Jayawardene succumbed to the pull but left Sangakkara to
inflict the bulk of the damage.
Sangakkara imposed his authority in the latter third of the innings.
Lahiru Thirimanne scored just 17 runs in a 123-run stand with
Sangakkara, who hit audacious shots like the scoop and had some fortune
with his edges. Already on a magical run this year, Sangakkara took that
to new heights against an attack that ran out of ideas.
Thisara Perera's cameo at the end allowed Sri Lanka to take 103 runs off
the last 10 overs and saw Sri Lanka post a total South Africa were
never in with a chance of chasing.
Colin Ingram, opening in place of Amla, was out for a golden duck as his
defences were absent against a perfect, inswinging Lasith Malinga
yorker. Duminy, who was in a new role at No. 3 and playing his 100th
ODI, dealt with Malinga better and hit him for two fours in the fifth
over. Just as he looked good, he outside edged off Shaminda Eranga and
Sangakkara reacted outstandingly to take a one-handed catch, low down.
Petersen showed why he should be considered in the openers' role more
permanently with a watchful knock. Along with AB de Villiers, who was
dropped by Eranga off his own bowling on 4, he made a South African
challenge seem possible. De Villiers drove well and looked comfortable
until Rangana Herath was brought on.
Sri Lanka's go-to man produced a delivery that angled into de VIlliers
and bowled him as he played inside the line. Petersen, who was joint
top-scorer on 29, was caught behind in the next over and at 75 for 4, it
was only a matter of time.
South Africa's last six wickets fell for 58 runs as the middle order
lacked temperament and application. That only served to worsen their
record: South Africa have not won an ODI against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka
since 1993 and have won only one of the 11 completed matches against the
hosts they have played there. They will question their flawed strategy,
especially in the spin department as they played two left-arm spinners
against a top five with three left-handed batsmen and two sublime
players of spin, who made them pay today.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent
Feeds: Firdose Moonda
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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