Tillakaratne Dilshan produced a superb all-round effort as Sri lanka defeated South Africa by 87 runs in the second one-day international to send the three-game series to a decider on Wednesday.
Dilshan struck a brisk 86 to help the home side score 267 in 49.2 overs, and then grabbed 3-40 as South Africa was bowled out for 180 in 38.1 overs.For South Africa, Hashim Amla produced a second consecutive century but his 101 went in vain as he did not receive support from other batsmen, who were also tormented by lasith Malinga (4-24).
Amla struck 109 in South Africa’s 75-run win in the first game.Earlier, Sri lanka looked set for a bigger score but pace bowler Ryan Mclaren stifled the lower order to finish with 4-48.Dilshan struck nine fours in his quickfire innings after Sri lanka won the toss and chose to bat in the day-night match.The hosts looked in line for a bigger total but lost their last five wickets for 11 runs, with paceman Ryan Mclaren (4-48) accounting for four of these dismissals.
The Proteas suffered an early setback when pace spearhead Dale Steyn had to leave the field after sustaining a bruise on his right thumb while bowling his third over. Sri lanka were off to a flying start with Dilshan going after the attack, but the visitors struck at regular intervals to peg back the scoring.
Opener Kusal Perera (seven) was the first to go, lobbing the ball tamely to Hashim Amla at short mid-wicket off fast bowler Vernon Philander (2-49). Kumar Sangakkara, who scored a fine 89 in Sunday’s match, was out for seven when he tried to pull a short delivery from Morne Morkel but ended up gloving it to the wicket-keeper.
leg-spinner Imran Tahir (2-41) got rid of lahiru Thirimanne (36) and then off-spinner Jean-Paul Duminy deceived Dilshan with a ball that deflected off the batsman’s glove onto the stumps.Jayawardene was given out lbw when he was on six but the decision was overturned on review. He went on to score a patient 48 off 70 balls and shared a 71-run stand with skipper Angelo Mathews (34) to steady the innings.
Ashan Priyanjan provided some late impetus, hitting Morkel for a six and a boundary off consecutive deliveries in a cameo 25-run knock. The third and final game will be played in Hambantota on Sunday.Brief Scores Sri lanka: 267 in 49.2 overs (Tillakaratne Dilshan 86, Mahela Jayawardene 48, lahiru Thirimanne 36, Angelo Mathews 34; Ryan Mclaren 4-48, Imran Tahir 2-41, Vernon Philander 2-49) def. South Africa 180 in 38.1 overs (Hashim Amla 101; lasith Malinga 4-24, Tillakaratne Dilshan 3-40, Ajantha Mendis 2-18) by 87 runs. Three-match series stands level at 1-1.