4th ODI SL v SA: Sangakkara, Dilshan steer Lanka to series win

Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara pulverised South Africa's bowling as Sri Lanka took a decisive 3-1 lead in the one-day series with an eight-wicket victory in Pallekele on Sunday.

Dilshan returned unbeaten on 115 and Sangakkara made 91 during a record partnership of 184 runs to steer the hosts past South Africa's 238 all out in the 44th over of the day-night match.

The emphatic victory by the 2011 World Cup finalists reduced Wednesday's fifth and final match in Colombo to a formality.

Dilshan's 17th one-day century and the second against South Africa was studded with 16 boundaries. Sangakkara kept pace with his partner with eight fours and two sixes.

The pair put on Sri Lanka's highest one-day stand for any wicket against the Proteas after opener Mahela Jayawardene had been removed for 12 in the 10th over.

Left-handed Sangakkara missed his second hundred in the series when he holed out in the deep off Morne Morkel when just 10 more were needed for victory.

Ragged South Africa paid dearly for conceding 20 extras that included 17 wides and a no-ball.

Earlier, JP Duminy hit 97 and a fit-again Hashim Amla made 77 to lift South Africa to 238 after the tourists won the toss and elected to bat.

But the Proteas undid a good start by losing eight wickets for 87 runs after cruising at 118-1 in the 22nd over.

Duminy lashed seven boundaries and two sixes before he was last man out in the 49th over, bowled by unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis three runs short of a century.

Mendis finished with four for 51, while sling-arm fast bowler Lasith Malinga claimed three for 52 and Dilshan took two wickets.

Amla, batting for the first time in the series after being injured while fielding in the only other game he played, anchored the start with a fluent half-century that contained nine boundaries.

Duminy shared a second-wicket stand of 101 with Amla after Quinton de Kock had been bowled by Malinga in the third over.

SRI LANKA INNINGS

Dilshan hit the winning runs as Sri Lanka made 239 for two in 44 overs to coast to an eight-wicket victory in the fourth one-day international against South Africa at Pallekelle on Sunday and take an unassailable 3-1 series lead. Chasing a target of 239, Sri Lanka were home with six overs to spare thanks to a record 184-run stand for the second wicket between Dilshan and Sangakkara.

Dilshan remained unbeaten on 115 off 130 balls hitting 16 fours while Sangakkara (91) fell short of a century having faced 101 balls and hits eight boundaries and two sixes during his knock.

This was also the highest successful run chase at Pallekelle.

Dilshan gets a streaky boundary off Morkel off an inside edge.

Sangakkara's fine knock comes to an end with Kleinvelt pouching a skier off Morkel to deny him a century. SL 229-2.

Kumar Sangakkara c Kleinveldt b Morkel 91 (101b 8x4 2x6)

The 184-run stand for the second wicket between Dilshan and Sangakkara is a record against South Africa.

Sangakkara smashes Morkel over extra cover and back over his head to move into the 90s.

Dilshan scoops Duminy to fine leg for a boundary. SL 220-1 in 41 overs.

Dilshan cracks consecutive boundaries off Peterson to complete his 17th ODI century and eighth against South Africa.

It came off 119 balls and contained 14 fours.

Dilshan is rocking swinging Morkel for consecutive boundaries to fine leg. SL 204-1 in 39 overs.

Sangakkara is setting Pallekelle alight launching into Tsotsobe and sending him sailing over long-on for a spectacular six. SL 193-1 in 38 overs.

Dilshan slams consecutive boundaries off Morkel as Sri Lanka are cruising to victory. SL 180-1 in 37 overs.

Sangakkara cracks a couple of boundaries off Tsotsobe in the first batting Powerplay over. SL 172-1 in 36 overs.

Sangakkara flicks Kleinveldt to fine leg for another boundary. SL 156-1 in 34 overs.

The 100 partnership between Dilshan and Sangakkara comes up off 114 balls. SL 145-1 in 32 overs.

Sangakkara completes his 78th ODI half century racing to it pulling Kleinveldt to the midwicket fence and then picking up a single.

Dilshan cuts Morkel past point for a boundary to bring up his 30th ODI half century. SL 114-1 in 27 overs.

Sangakkara slams the first six of the innings off Peterson to bring up the 50 partnership for the second wicket with Dilshan. SL 100-1 in 24 overs.

Dilshan slams Peterson for a boundary through midwicket to bring up the 50 of the innigs in 12th over.

Amla takes a brilliant catch at slip as Mahela tries to glide Tsotsobe to third man but hits straight to the fielder. SL 45-1.

Mahela Jayawardene c Amla b Tsotsobe 12 (26b 2x4 0x6)

Mahela drives Tsotsobe down the ground for a classic boundary.

Mahela gets his first boundary in the eighth over smashing Tsotsobe over midwicket. SL 36-0 in 8 overs.

Dilshan smashes Morkel for a couple of boundaries to break the shackles. SL 30-0 in 7 overs.

Dilshan smashes a boundary to midwicket off free hit delivery from Tsotsobe.

SOUTH AFRICA INNINGS

JP Duminy hit 97 and a fit-again Hashim Amla made 77 to lift South Africa to 238 all out in a must-win one-day international against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Sunday.

But the Proteas, needing a win to level the five-match series 2-2, undid a good start by losing eight wickets for 87 runs after cruising at 118-1 in the 22nd over.

Duminy lashed seven boundaries and two sixes before he was last man out in the 49th over, bowled by unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis three runs short of a century.

Mendis finished with four for 51, while sling-arm fast bowler Lasith Malinga claimed three for 52 and Tillakaratne Dilshan took two wickets.

Amla, batting for the first time in the series after being injured while fielding in the only other game he played, anchored the start with a fluent half-century that contained nine boundaries.

Duminy shared a second-wicket stand of 101 with Amla after Quinton de Kock had been bowled by Malinga in the third over.

Dilshan removed Amla leg-before and had skipper AB de Villers caught behind by Kumar Sangakkara in the space of eight runs to make it 126-3 in the 25th over.

Faf du Plessis helped Duminy add 46 for the fourth wicket but his dismissal for 23, stumped off Rangana Herath, triggered a middle-order collapse.

Mendis bowled David Miller and had Farhaan Behardien caught at short-leg two balls later as South Africa slipped from 172-3 to 173-6.

Malinga returned to dismiss Robin Peterson (13) and Rory Kleinveldt (eight) before Mendis had Morne Morkel leg-before.

Half centuries by Hashim Amla (77) and JP Duminy (97) lifted South Africa to 238 all out as they aim the level the series in the fourth one-day international against Sri Lanka at Pallekelle on Sunday.

Opting to bat first, Amla gave them a superb start with a fluent knock of 77 off 71 balls cracking nine boundaries during a 101-run stand for the second wicket with Duminy.

Amla and AB de villiers departed in quick succession before Faf du Plessi (23) repaired the damage with fourth wicket stand of 46 with Duminy.

His dismissal triggered a middle order collapse which saw them lose six wickets for 33 runs as they slumped to 205 for nine in the 45th over.

But Duminy stepped up the ante smashing seven boundaries and two sixes before falling three short of a century.

Mendis had the best return of four for 51 while Malinga claimed three for 52.

Duminy smashes another six off Mendis but is bowled two balls later falling short of a century as South Africa are all out for 238 in 48.4 overs.

Jean Paul Duminy b Mendis 97 (121b 7x4 2x6)

Duminy smashes a couple of boundaries off Malinga. SA 232-9 in 48 overs.

Duminy has smashed a boundary off Malinga and a six off Mendis in successive overs. SA 223-9 in 47 overs.

Mendis claims his third wicket trapping Morkel leg before. SA 205-9.

Morne Morkel lbw b Mendis 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)

Malinga claims his third wicket as Kleinveldt top edges to Dilshan. SA 203-8.

Rory Kleinveldt c Dilshan b Malinga 8 (10b 0x4 1x6)

Thirimanne was held the catch on the long-on boundary but was carried over the line by the momentum of the shot.

Kleinveldt smashes a six off Mendis to bring up the 200 of the innings in the 43rd over.

Malinga returns to have Peterson caught behind. SA 191-7.

Robin Peterson c Sangakkara b Malinga 13 (15b 0x4 0x6)

Mendis has figures of 5-0-18-2.

Mendis returns and removes Miller and Behardien within the space of three balls. SA 173-6.

Farhaan Behardien c Thirimanne b Mendis 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)

David Miller b Mendis 1 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Herath strikes in his final over having Faf du Plessis stumped. SA 172-4.

F du Plessis st Sangakkara b Herath 23 (44b 1x4 0x6)

Faf du Plessis lofts a boundary off Mathews who fails to latch on to a return catch. SA 152-3 in 32 overs.

Duminy gets a much-needed boundary sweeping Dilshan to fine leg. SA 145-3 in 31 overs.

Double strike by Dilshan as AB de Villiers is caught behind. SA 127-3.

AB de Villiers c Sangakkara b Dilshan 4 (8b 0x4 0x6)

Dilshan strikes a major blow trapping Amla leg before with South Africa being unsuccessful with the decision review. SA 122-2.

Hashim Amla lbw b Dilshan 77 (71b 9x4 0x6)

Just when the boundaries seemed to have dried up, Amla gets one off Dilshan with a lovely chip shot. SA 116-1 in 21 overs.

Amla races to his fifty off just 39 balls with a couple of boundaries off Thisara. SA 84-1 in 14 overs.

Amla spanks Thisara through the covers for another classic boundary. SA 68-1 in 12 overs.

Amla hits a boundary off Mendis as South Africa bring up their fastest 50 in the series in the 9th over.

Duminy takes on Mathews cracking a couple of boundaries through cover and point. SA 46-1 in 8 overs.

Mendis into the attack now as Mathews attempt to stem the tide of runs. SA 37-1 in 7 overs.

Duminy gets into the act slapping Mathews to the cover boundary. SA 34-1 in 6 overs.

Malinga is getting a beating from Amla who has cracked him for three boundaries. SA 30-1 in 5 overs.

Amla is continuing unfazed by the loss of his partner pulling Malinga past square leg for another boundary.

Malinga strikes yorking Quinton with a beauty. SA 17-1.

Quinton de Kock b Malinga 8 (9b 2x4 0x6)

Amla gets cracking rocking back and driving Malinga past mid-on for his first boundary.

Mathews has been hit for a couple of boundaries in his first over. SA 10-0 in 2 overs.

Quinton de Kock hits the first ball from Mathews through midwicket.

South Africa have won the toss and opted to bat in the fourth one-day international against Sri Lanka at Pallekelle on Sunday.

The tourists will be bolstered by the return of Hashim Amla as they seek to level the five-match series after having won the third game on Friday.

Rory Kleinveldt comes in for Ryan McLaren who is having a hamstring strain while Alviro Petersen makes way for Amla.

Sri Lanka have made one change recalling Lahiru Thirimanne in place of Angelo Perera to shore up their brittle batting line-up.

PLAYING XI

Sri Lanka - U Tharanga, T Dilshan, K Sangakkara, M Jayawardene, L Thirimanne, D Chandimal, A Mathews, T Perera, R Herath, A Mendis, L Malinga

South Africa - H Amla, Q de Kock, JP Duminy, AB de Villiers, F du Plessis, D Miller, F Behardien, R Peterson, M Morkel, R Kleinveldt, L Tsotsobe

South Africa have never won back to back matches in Sri Lanka having just ended in 10-match losing streak on Friday.

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