Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 55 Runs in their 1st Game at Centurion

In a rain hit game Sri Lanka registered a big win against the host South Africaby 55 runs (D/L Method). Chasing the stiff target of 320 runs to win in 50 overs, South Africa were 206/7 in the 38^th over before rain came down heavily which ended the game. So Sri Lanka is announced as winner by D/L method.

South African run chase get major setback when A.Mendis introduce into the attack by Sri Lankan skipper K.Sangakara. He first removed dangerous looking G.Smith (58 runs of 44 balls) and then picked up two wickets in two balls of J.Kallis (41 runs of 48 balls) and J.P.Duminy (0 run) to jolt the South African run chase.

After that it was always a tough going for the home team as they kept loosing wickets at regular intervals.

Earlier Graeme Smith won the toss and put Sri Lanka into bat. However many were surprised by his decision to put the visitors on a batting paradise. Sri Lanka senses the advantage and piled up huge 319/8 in their 50 overs with the help of brilliant century by T.Dilshan (106 runs of 92 balls). Other major contributor during Sri Lankan innings were Captain Kumar Sangakara (54 runs of 74 balls) and M.Jayawardne (77 runs of 61 balls).

T.Dilshan was declared Player of the Match for his superb century 106 runs of 92 balls.

Match Summary (Sri Lanka won by 55 Runs D/L Method)

Sri Lanka– 319/8 in 50 Overs

T.Dilshan- 106 M.Jayawardne– 77

D.Styen– 9-2-47-3 W.Parnell- 10-0-79-3

South Africa – 206/7 in 37.4 Overs

G.Smith- 59 J.Kallis– 41

A.Mendis– 7-0-30-3 A.Mathews- 8-0-43-2