South Africa cruised to 78 runs win in the third ODI against Sri Lanka to take an impregnable lead of 3-0 in the five-match series. The Proteas put a gargantuan total of 363 runs on the board after they were put into bat by Angelo Mathews.
Hashim Amla looked in prolific form as he timed the ball to perfection. The flamboyant right-hander scored a run-a-ball 59 before his woodwork was disturbed by Thisara Perera. The debutant Reeza Hendricks scored a fine century in his maiden match.
South Africa have completely dominated the depleted Sri Lankan side.
The right-hander batted in the topmost gear as he became only the third South African batsman to score a hundred on his ODI debut. Hendricks joined the likes of Colin Ingram and Temba Bavuma.
JP Duminy also continued with his staggering form as he scored a quickfire 92 off just 70 balls. The southpaw batsman scored eight boundaries and one maximum in his knock. Furthermore, David Miller also provided the finishing touches for the visitors as the left-hander scored an unbeaten 47-ball 51.
On the other hand, the mammoth score of 363 runs was always out of grasp from Sri Lanka’s reach. In fact, the hosts didn’t make their work easier as they lost five wickets when they had gathered a mere 124 on the board.
Lungi Ngidi was once again the chief destroyer of the Sri Lankan innings as the lanky fast bowler took four wickets.
However, Dhananjaya de Silva was able to show some fight as he scored a valiant knock of 84 off just 66 balls. Nevertheless, the match was all gone and there was no ray of hope for the home side.
The medium pacer Andile Phelukwayo was also amongst the wickets as the medium pacer took three scalps.
Brief Scores: South Africa 363-7, Reeza Hendricks 102 (89), JP Duminy 90 (70)
Thisara Perera 4-75.
Sri Lanka: 285-10, Dhananjaya de Silva 84 (66)
Lungi Ngidi 4-57.