Published: Feb 07, 2017, 09:27 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 07, 2017, 09:27 PM (IST)
Faf du Plessis’ record-breaking century boosted South Africa’s total to 367 for 5 against Sri Lanka in the fourth One-Day International (ODI) at Newlands, Cape Town on Tuesday. Du Plessis nearly went past Gary Kirsten’s record of 188 not out, which happens to be the highest ODI score by a South African. Du Plessis also had the chance of becoming the first South African to score a double hundred in ODIs, but he eventually finished with 185 off 141. Sri Lanka made an excellent start to the match. Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara got the wicket of Hashim Amla in the second over for just a single. But Quniton de Kock and Faf du Plessis ensured that they built a good partnership. They added exactly 100 for the second wicket in a little over 14 overs, which gave South Africa some stability. De Kock was then dismissed by left-arm spinner Sachith Pathirana for 46-ball 55. Live Cricket Scorecard: South Africa vs Sri Lanka 4th ODI at Cape Town
But yet again, Sri Lanka failed to pick up wickets at regular intervals as du Plessis and de Villiers made the bowlers pay. The duo added 137 for the third wicket, which gave South Africa a chance of posting a score well beyond 300. De Villiers fell to Pathirana, failing to connect a sweep as a result of which the ball crashed into his wickets. Hescored a brilliant 62-ball 64, but it was not one of those smashing innings. He took ones and twos whenever available and hit just four boundaries in his innings. Duminy fell soon after that for 20. Faf in the meantime had gone past his ton and a few overs later, went past his 150 as well for the very first time in his international career. Live Cricket Updates: South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 4th ODI at Cape Town
When he went past 173, he registered the highest score in an ODI at Newlands and was then eyeing the all-time highest score by a South African. Farhaan Behardien then came out and played some big shots to ease the pressure on du Plessis. They brought up their 50-run stand in just 25 deliveries and were looking to post a daunting total on the board. That is exactly what they did eventually. Pathirana finished with figures of 2 for 55 in his 10, which can be termed excellent considering the beating other bowlers took.
Earlier, South Africa had won the toss and elected to bat first. Sri Lanka ahead of the toss announced that they had dropped Dinesh Chandimal due to poor form on this tour, where he has scored just one fifty. South Africa have already taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Sri Lanka are yet to post a total beyond 200 in this ODI series so far.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 367 for 5 in 50 overs (Faf du Plessis 185, AB de Villiers 64; Lahiru Kumara 2 for 73, Sachith Pathirana 2 for 55) vs Sri Lanka
