Sri Lanka vs South Africa 2018: 4th ODI, Pallekele - Match Report

Before briefing in detail about the match report of Sri Lanka vs South Africa 2018 of the ongoing One-day International series, let’s admit that Sri Lankan team has been miserable of late in the limited-overs leg, But after a lengthy gap, Sri Lanka tasted success in ODIs while featuring in the penultimate game at Pallekele.

However, it needed a burgeoning effort from youngster Dasun Shananka and the bowling unit – to hand a bitter debut for Quinton De Kock as a skipper.

The sublime knock in the first innings of the game by Dasun Shanaka and the all-around performance by Thisara Perera guided Islanders to a thrilling win. However, South Africa isn’t discouraged as they already won the series with the scoreline reading 3-1.

Two Pereras and Dasun Shines:

Initially, with the rain making its presence felt, the game was shortened to 39 overs. Winning the toss, De Kock opted the hosts to bat first. Well, Sri Lankan openers started the things in a refreshing mode.

However, the golden arm of Jean-Paul Duminy once again did the trick when he got rid-off dangerous Niroshan Dickwella. Upul Tharanga looked like getting back to his own but got dismissed by Wiaan Mulder’s stunner.

It was once again Kusal Perera who stood firmly in the middle to balance the ship. Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis continued his disastrous form.

Just when things looked bleak for the Lions, Shanaka entered the crease to join in-form Thisara Perera. They both registered blistering fifties to stitch on a 109-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

However, the decent death overs from the Proteas unit restricted them to 306 for seven in the given 39 overs. The target eventually got revised to 308 by using the Duckworth-Lewis (DLS) method.

Lakmal, Thisara outsmarts Duminy, Amla’s class:

In reply to the chase, De Kock and Hashim Amla blisteringly started the things. However, rain once again halted the game to ask the officials to turn the game into a 21-over contest.

With a revised chase of 191 in 21 overs, Lakmal got rid of De Kock’s owing to a friendly full-toss. The last match centurion, Reeza Hendricks was out for a cheap score.

Meanwhile, Amla and JP Duminy combined and looked like taking the game away from Sri Lanka. They both scored at a brisk pace to chase the daunting total.

However, the magical Akila Dananjaya once again delivered the goods to get the outside edge of Amla’s willow while De Silva sent Heinrich Klaasen to bring back Sri Lanka back in the match.

Klaasen was quickly followed by Duminy when Shanaka’s bullseye sealed the deal. Though David Miller and Maharaj tried their best to guide Proteas home, Lakmal and Thisara’s spell, in the end, helped Islanders cheer in joy.

All in all, it was a nail-biting thriller for the fans at Pallekelle with the match swinging from one another at regular intervals of time.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka – 306/7 (39) Dasun Shanaka 65, Thisara Perera 51*; Duminy 2/35

South Africa – 187/9 (21) Amla 40, Duminy 38; Lakmal 3/46.

Match Report – Sri Lanka vs South Africa 2018, Lions won by three runs via D/L method at Pallekele.