Faf on fire as Lankans fall short

SRI Lanka put up more of a challenge before they succumbed after 48.1 overs as South Africa won the fourth ODI by 40 runs in Cape Town yesterday.

Earlier, Faf du Plessis smashed a career-best 185, his eighth one-day international century, to help launch South Africa to 367 for five.

South Africa, who won the toss and elected to bat first, registered the highest team total at Newlands in an ODI, beating the previous best of 354 for three, which the hosts scored against Kenya.

But Du Plessis’s innings was master-class, which included 16 boundaries and three maximums off only 141 deliveries, falling just short of the all-time SA record of 188 not out, held by Gary Kirsten.

The South African Test captain also registered his personal best ODI total, beating his previous effort of 133 not out by some margin. Du Plessis was aided in his efforts by Quinton de Kock (55) and captain A B de Villiers (60), sharing in two century stands.

Lahiru Kumara (7-0-73-2) gave the visitors the perfect start by removing Hashim Amla (1), caught by Asela Gunaratne in the slips, but then De Kock, who struck seven boundaries and two sixes off 46 balls, and Du Plessis, set about scoring 100 runs for the second wicket off only 87 balls before De Kock danced down the track and edged Sachith Pathirana (10-0-55-2) to Upal Tharanga at slip, who took an excellent catch.

But the hosts failed to let up as Du Plessis was joined by his captain and the pair pummeled the Sri Lankan attack, scoring 137 runs off 122 deliveries for the third wicket to drive home the Proteas’ advantag

The two century stands enabled South Africa to surpass the average first innings total in a day/night game by 123 runs, such was the dominance of the hosts’ batting effort.

De Villiers, who scored his 50th ODI half century, finally outdid himself when he moved across his stumps and tried to sweep Pathirana but missed the ball and was clean-bowled, after facing 62 deliveries and striking just four boundaries.

J P Duminy (20) faced just 22 deliveries, which included two fours, but then was caught by Kusal Mendis at point off Kumara after adding 47 runs for the fourth wicket with Du Plessis.

Farhaan Behardien then came to the wicket and smashed four boundaries and a six to end unbeaten on 36 off only 20 deliveries to help Du Plessis add 74 runs off 37 balls for the fifth wicket.

The crowd groaned in disappointment as Du Plessis launched Lahiru Madushanka (10-0-69-1) high into the air and down the ground, but not far enough as he was caught by Gunaratne on the fence.

Du Plessis walked off the field to rapturous applause and handshakes all round to the end of a fine innings.

With South Africa already having sealed the fivematch series in Johannesburg, the hosts made it 4-0, and are heading towards securing another clean sweep as the hapless Sri Lankans continue to scratch their heads. — Supersport