South Africa v Sri Lanka – 3rd One Day International – Match Recap
Sri Lanka 266/9 (50 ov) v South Africa 179 – Proteas won by 4 runs (D/L method)
On Tuesday, January 17, 2012 South Africa won the third One Day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka by four runs due to Duckworth–Lewis method (D/L method) after rain interrupted play at Chevrolet Park, Bloemfontein.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka chose to bat first in a bid to take lead against the hosts by posting a tough total on the board.
The side got off to a flying start as openers Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan gave their team an opening stand of 94 runs as they hammered the South African bowlers all around the park without remorse.
Sri Lanka, desperately needed a win in the five-match series, where they were already two down before going into the third clash.
Meanwhile, for South Africa they also sought another win to stamp their grip in the series.
The tourists, Sri Lanka, for the first time in their South African tour looked in form as the batsmen exhibited commendable play against a decent South African bowling attack.
After opener, Tharanga’s, resilient knock of 58 runs, it was time for veteran Kumar Sangakkara to shine as the batsman smashed an impressive innings of 38 runs before losing his wicket on a run out.
Apart from Sangakkara, it was the phenomenal innings from all-rounder Nuwan Kulasekara that really left South Africa in ruins as he hammered 40 runs to play an important role in helping his side amass a tally of 266 runs at the end of their innings.
With 267 runs to win from 50 overs, South Africa lost their former skipper Graeme Smith with only 14 runs on the board, as the opener perished after scoring only two runs.
With 29 runs on the board, the Proteas lost their second with Colin Ingram finding his way back to the pavilion after playing a cameo innings of 13 runs.
However, the South African middle-order steadfast and kept the score board ticking in a bid to come closer to the required target.
Faf du Plessis, played a stupendous innings of 72 runs as he helped his side amass 147 runs against a daunting Sri Lankan bowling attack.
However, play was halted due to rain with AB de Villiers on 39 and JA Morkel on 7 runs as South Africa posted 179 runs in 34.0 over for the loss of five wickets.
Play then could not be resumed, forcing the match to be given to South Africa on the basis of Duckworth–Lewis method (D/L method) with the required target recalculated to 176 runs in 34 overs.
F du Plessis was named as the Play of the Match for his commendable work with the bat.
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