Atapattu delivers the series for SL

A captain's knock from Marvan Atapattu led Sri Lanka to victory and an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the ODI series against South Africa. Atapattu scored 97 not out in a tense finish which saw the hosts home by four wickets.

Coming into the match on a seven-match losing streak, South Africa were desperately seeking a reversal of fortunes and found some hope at the toss, which Graeme Smith won and promptly elected to bat. On a tricky pitch at Dambulla, where England were bowled out for 88 in an one-dayer last year, the South African openers made a steady start to the innings.

Herschelle Gibbs' wretched form could well have continued had he not been reprieved early on after appearing to be out LBW to Vaas. Smith was the first to go for an uncomfortable 16, holing out to mid-on off Vaas. Lance Klusener was sent in ahead of Kallis at 3, but as in the second game, the gamble didn't pay off with Klusener bowled by Zoysa for a duck.

The introduction of spinners into the attack slowed the scoring rate significantly, and eventually Herath had Gibbs stumped for 49 after being dropped on 28 and 43. Kallis anchored the innings with a belaboured half-century, to take the South Africans beyond the 40-over mark. The search for quick runs accounted for Kallis eventually for a 108-ball 52, as well as Rudolph (18) and Boucher (7). Sri Lanka's 5-man spin attack bowled 34 overs between them, finishing off the South African innings on 191 off the last ball of the 50th over. Herath (28/3) was impressive, as were Dilshan (25/3) and the recalled Lokuarachchi (23/2).

Despite the modest total, the South African pacemen utilised the movement and bounce of the pitch to have Sri Lanka in early trouble at 34-2 with Gunawardene trapped in front by Dawson for 7 and Pollock claiming the big scalp of Jayasuriya for just 11, caught at gully. The arrival of Atapattu and Sangakkara steadied the innings somewhat, but South Africa were buoyed soon later as Boucher stumped his Sri Lankan counterpart down the legside off Boje to leave the home side 65-3.

Atapattu played purposefully and sensibly to put the Sri Lankans back on track, reaching his 50 from 87 balls. He added 46 with Jayawardene to take the hosts past 100, before the latter fell to JP Duminy's part-time offspin for 21. Dilshan managed only 6 before Klusener bowled him with a ball that kept low, to have Sri Lanka in some trouble at 126-5 with only the bowlers to come.

Chandana showed little of the form that yielded a half-century for him in the second match, and should have been caught on 2 before eventually falling on 6, again to Klusener. The fall of the sixth wicket left South Africa with a genuine chance of snapping their run of losses, with the hosts needing a further 47 from 9 overs. Atapattu, however, showed the resolve worthy of his position, and alleviated the pressure with a string of boundaries off Klusener. He was well-supported by Vaas, who demonstrated his allround talents with an unbeaten 16 off 17, as Sri Lanka eventually coasted to victory with 14 balls and four wickets to spare.

Though remaining still without a win in the series, South Africa did enough to cause Atapattu some consternation. With two matches remaining in the series, both teams have the opportunity to maintain or regain form ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in September.

SOUTH AFRICA 191 all out in 50 overs
JH Kallis 52 (108), HH Gibbs 49 (82); HMRKB Herath 28/3 (8), TM Dilshan 25/3 (7)
SRI LANKA 192/6 in 47.4 overs
MS Atapattu 97* (140); L Klusener 36/2 (9)

Sri Lanka win by 4 wickets
Sri Lanka lead the 5-match series 3-0

Man of the Match: MS Atapattu, 97* (140)



Posted by Adam