Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi set up impressive South Africa win in first ODI against Sri Lanka

Sport360 staff 16:09 29/07/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Kagiso Rabada (second left) picked up four wickets in Dambulla.

    South Africa coasted to a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka at the start of their one-day international series in Dambulla.

    Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (4-33) and paceman Kagiso Rabada (4-41) were the stars for South Africa as the hosts battled to recover from slumping to 36 for five.

    Kusal Perera (81) and Thisara Perera (49) shared a sixth-wicket stand of 92, but Sri Lanka were dismissed for 193 after just 34.3 overs.

    Akila Dananjaya picked up the wickets of Hashim Amla (19), Quinton de Kock (47) and Aiden Markram (nought) to finish with figures of three for 50.

    But skipper Faf du Plessis (47) and Jean-Paul Duminy (53 not out) guided South Africa to their victory target, reaching 196 for five with 114 balls of their 50 overs still remaining.

    The second game of the five-match series will be a day-night affair in Dambulla on Wednesday.

    South Africa thus secured their first victory of the tour after being swept 2-0 in the Test series.

    “Feels much better to be chatting as a winning captain,” du Plessis was quoted as saying by AFP.

    “In the Test series we didn’t play well. There is a new group of players for the ODIs. I also thought we’ve learnt lessons, had good discussions and put pressure on their spinners by taking a few risks.”

    Recommended