De Villiers powers SA

AB de Villiers scored a quick-fire 96 to put South Africa on course for a fourth-straight win at the De Beers Oval here on Friday.

The hosts posted 299 for seven after their alloted 50 overs, leaving a fragile Sri Lankan batting line-up a lot to do to notch up their first win of the five-match one-day series.

Skipper de Villiers’ 76-ball gem was studded with eight fours and three hits over the fence. Former captain Graeme Smith gave the South African wicketkeeper good company with a 69-ball 68. SA lead the series 3-0.

score board

SOUTH AFRICA

Petersen c Tharanga b Herath    37
Smith c Dilshan b Malinga    68
de Villiers b Perera    96
Ingram lbw Kulasekara    1
Duminy c Sangakkara b Perera    36
du Plessis c Sangakkara b Herath    5
Parnell (run out)    21
Peterson (not out)    23
Philander (not out)    2
Extras (B-4, W-6)    10

Total (for 7 wkts, 50 overs)    299

Fall of wickets: 1-84, 2-171, 3-172, 4-242, 5-250, 6-252, 7-289.

Bowling: Malinga 10-0-57-1, Kulasekara 8-0-40-1, Senanayake 10-1-53-0, Perera 4-0-34-2, Mathews 1-0-6-0, Dilshan 8-0-60-0, Herath 9-0-45-2.