DU PLESSIS TON HELPS SOUTH AFRICA TO EASY WIN

South Africa Captain Francois du Plessis scored an unbeaten century to lead his side to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first OneDay International at The Wanderers in Johannesburg yesterday.

After winning the toss and electing to field, South Africa bowled the visitors out for 231 in 47 overs before chasing down their victory target for the loss of two wickets and with 67 balls remaining.

Kusal Mendis (60 from 73 balls) top-scored for Sri Lanka before he was one of a trio of victims for legspinner Imran Tahir (three for 26 in 10 overs), the pick of the home bowlers.

Tahir, who turns 40 later this month, was not included among Cricket South Africa’s contracted players, announced last week.

But he showed he remains a key member of the country’s one-day bowling attack, twice breaking promising

Sri Lankan partnerships.

Seamer Lungi Ngidi (3-60) also made a solid return to the team after four months on the sidelines through injury.

Kusal Mendis, who topscored with 60, added 94 for the fifth wicket with Dhananjaya de Silva (39) before Tahir dismissed both batsmen in the first two overs of his second spell.

De Silva was stumped when he stretched forward and was beaten by a leg break and Mendis, who made his runs off 73 balls with five fours and a six, was caught at extra cover.

Oshada Fernando, making his one-day international debut, struck the ball firmly in a 49-ball innings and hit two lofted drives for six.

He was lucky that South Africa did not appeal for a catch behind off Ngidi when he was on 24. Replays showed he had got a faint edge to the ball.

But he was unlucky to fall short of a half century when he was run out, responding late to a call for a sharp single from Mendis.

South Africa never looked troubled in their reply as Du Plessis (112 in 114 balls) and Quinton de Kock (81 from 72 balls) put on 136 at more than a run-a-ball for the second wicket.

Du Plessis’ century was his 11th in ODI cricket and continues his fine form in the 50-over format with 259 runs in his last four innings, during which time he has only been dismissed once. The second fixture in the fivematch series will be played in Pretoria on Wednesday.

Both teams are using the series to fine-tune their selections ahead of the World Cup in England and Wales that starts in late May.

-REUTERS

After winning the toss and electing to field, South Africa bowled the visitors out for 231 in 47 overs before chasing down their victory target for the loss of two wickets and with 67 balls remaining