Sri Lanka loses by 78 runs in third ODI against South Africa

COLOMBO (News 1st) - South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 78 runs in the third one-day international match in Pallekelle to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series today. (August 05) Debutant Reeza Hendricks’ seamless century along with half-centuries by Jean-Paul Duminy, Hashim Amla and David Miller propelled South Africa to 363/7 - the highest score at the venue, after being asked to bat first. Sri Lanka in reply scored at a rapid rate and maintained a run-rate above 6 per over yet lost wickets regularly until a hopeful 7th wicket stand between Dhananjaya De Silva and Akila Dhananjaya, of 95 runs gave the Lankans a glimmer of hope, but were eventually bowled out for 285 in the 46th over. Hendricks became the 14th overall and the 3rd South African to score a century on ODI debut, also the fastest in terms of balls, as he scored 102 off 89 balls. Thisara Perera picked up four wickets in his quota of 10 overs but conceded 75 runs while Lahiru Kumara picked up 2/67 during South Africa's batting innings.