1st ODI: Avishka Fernando ton, bowlers give Sri Lanka narrow win over South Africa
Sri Lanka rode a brilliant hundred by Avishka Fernando to lead the series and score 10 points in the World Cup Super League table, defeating South Africa by a narrow margin of 14 runs on Thursday at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Sri Lanka posted a competitive total of 300 for nine from their 50 overs after electing to bat first in Colombo while South Africa fell short on 286-6 despite opener Aiden Markram’s 96 off 90 balls and a run-a-ball 59 by Rassie van der Dussen.
Janneman Malan and Markram added 49 for the opening wicket to ensure there were no early hiccups in the chase. However, Wanindu Hasaranga got rid of Malan and helped Sri Lanka build some pressure on South Africa.
Markram put on 106 runs for the second wicket with skipper Temba Bavuma, who retired hurt on 38, but missed out on a maiden ODI ton. While Markram was aggressive, Temba Bavuma couldn’t quite get going against Hasaranga, Praveen Jayawickrama and Akila Dananjaya.
Earlier, Fernando hit a sparkling century to help Sri Lanka post 300 for nine in the first ODI against South Africa on Thursday. Fernando, who made 118, put on key partnerships including a 97-run fourth-wicket stand with Charith Asalanka, who scored 72, after the hosts elected to bat at the start of the three-match series in Colombo.
South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj returned figures of 2/30 from his 10 overs to check Sri Lanka’s run rate in the middle overs.
Fernando, who put on 79 runs with Dhananjaya de Silva (44) for the third wicket, changed gears after raising his half-century and took the attack to the opposition with the left-handed Asalanka.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 300/9 in 50 overs (Avishka Fernando 118, Charith Asalanka 71; Keshav Maharaj 2-30) vs South Africa 286/6 in 50 overs (Aiden Markram 96, Rassie van der Dussen 59; Akila Dananjaya 2-65) by 14 runs.
