<p>Tillakaratne Dilshan narrowly missed a second successive century as Sri Lanka whipped South Africa by 128 runs here today to wrap up the one-day series 4-1.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The hosts, already holding a decisive 3-1 lead, piled up 307-4 after electing to take first strike and then shot the Proteas out for 179 in 43.5 overs in the day-night match at the Premadasa stadium.<br /><br />AB de Villiers played a captain's knock of 51, but could not prevent South Africa from being condemned to their 13th defeat in 15 one-dayers on Sri Lankan soil.<br /><br />The tourists were struggling at 137-8 when Ryan McLaren hit 29 and Aaron Phangiso an unbeaten 18 down the order to boost the total.<br /><br />Seamer Suranga Lakmal and off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake marked their first appearance in the series by sharing five wickets. Ajantha Mendis claimed three for 36.<br /><br />Opener Dilshan, who hit an unbeaten 115 in the fourth game in Pallekele on Sunday, plundered 13 boundaries before he was bowled for 99 by McLaren in the 39th over.<br />"I am a bit disappointed at missing my century, but these things happen in cricket," said Dilshan. "But I think McLaren bowled that over very well.<br /><br />"I am really enjoying my cricket these days. When I get a start, I want to make it count. This has been a good series for me. I have batted, bowled and fielded well."<br /><br />Lahiru Thirimanne, promoted to number three, scored 68 and Kumar Sangakkara was unbeaten on 75 off 45 balls as the South African bowlers wilted in steamy conditions.<br />Left-handed Thirimanne and Dilshan put on 163 for the second wicket after Kusal Perera was caught behind off Morne Morkel in the fifth over.<br /><br />South Africa lost wickets in a heap to plunge to 85-6 by the 20th over, with Senanayake and Lakmal grabbing two wickets each.<br /><br />The Proteas were 60-1 in the 10th over when the dismissal of star batsman Hashim Amla for 18, leg-before to Senanayake, triggered a middle-order collapse. <br /><br />Lakmal removed Farhaan Behardien and David Miller in the space of three balls after Faf du Plessis had fallen to Thisara Perera for six.<br /><br />De Villiers and the tailenders delayed the end, but Sri Lanka emerged comfortable winners with an impressive all-round display.<br /><br />De Villers said the series was a good learning experience for his side.<br /><br />"We just could not get any momentum going," he said. "But we will keep learning. The series was a great experience. We played some quality spin against a sub-continent team that knew their conditions really well."<br /><br />In a match that held only academic interest, Sri Lanka rested regulars Mahela Jayawardene, Lasith Malinga, Upul Tharanga and Rangana Herath. They were replaced by Lakmal, Senanayake, Angelo Perera and Kusal Perera.<br /><br />The tourists recalled McLaren and spinner Phangiso in place of Rory Kleinveldt and Robin Peterson.<br /><br />The teams will now play three Twenty20 internationals, with the first match to be held at the same venue on Friday.</p>
<p>Tillakaratne Dilshan narrowly missed a second successive century as Sri Lanka whipped South Africa by 128 runs here today to wrap up the one-day series 4-1.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The hosts, already holding a decisive 3-1 lead, piled up 307-4 after electing to take first strike and then shot the Proteas out for 179 in 43.5 overs in the day-night match at the Premadasa stadium.<br /><br />AB de Villiers played a captain's knock of 51, but could not prevent South Africa from being condemned to their 13th defeat in 15 one-dayers on Sri Lankan soil.<br /><br />The tourists were struggling at 137-8 when Ryan McLaren hit 29 and Aaron Phangiso an unbeaten 18 down the order to boost the total.<br /><br />Seamer Suranga Lakmal and off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake marked their first appearance in the series by sharing five wickets. Ajantha Mendis claimed three for 36.<br /><br />Opener Dilshan, who hit an unbeaten 115 in the fourth game in Pallekele on Sunday, plundered 13 boundaries before he was bowled for 99 by McLaren in the 39th over.<br />"I am a bit disappointed at missing my century, but these things happen in cricket," said Dilshan. "But I think McLaren bowled that over very well.<br /><br />"I am really enjoying my cricket these days. When I get a start, I want to make it count. This has been a good series for me. I have batted, bowled and fielded well."<br /><br />Lahiru Thirimanne, promoted to number three, scored 68 and Kumar Sangakkara was unbeaten on 75 off 45 balls as the South African bowlers wilted in steamy conditions.<br />Left-handed Thirimanne and Dilshan put on 163 for the second wicket after Kusal Perera was caught behind off Morne Morkel in the fifth over.<br /><br />South Africa lost wickets in a heap to plunge to 85-6 by the 20th over, with Senanayake and Lakmal grabbing two wickets each.<br /><br />The Proteas were 60-1 in the 10th over when the dismissal of star batsman Hashim Amla for 18, leg-before to Senanayake, triggered a middle-order collapse. <br /><br />Lakmal removed Farhaan Behardien and David Miller in the space of three balls after Faf du Plessis had fallen to Thisara Perera for six.<br /><br />De Villiers and the tailenders delayed the end, but Sri Lanka emerged comfortable winners with an impressive all-round display.<br /><br />De Villers said the series was a good learning experience for his side.<br /><br />"We just could not get any momentum going," he said. "But we will keep learning. The series was a great experience. We played some quality spin against a sub-continent team that knew their conditions really well."<br /><br />In a match that held only academic interest, Sri Lanka rested regulars Mahela Jayawardene, Lasith Malinga, Upul Tharanga and Rangana Herath. They were replaced by Lakmal, Senanayake, Angelo Perera and Kusal Perera.<br /><br />The tourists recalled McLaren and spinner Phangiso in place of Rory Kleinveldt and Robin Peterson.<br /><br />The teams will now play three Twenty20 internationals, with the first match to be held at the same venue on Friday.</p>