Dilshan, Sanga lift Sri Lanka to massive win

Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara pulverised South Africa’s bowling as Sri Lanka took a decisive 3-1 lead in the one-day series with an eight-wicket victory in Pallekele on Sunday.
Dilshan returned unbeaten on 115 and Sangakkara made 91 during a record partnership of 184 runs to steer the hosts past South Africa’s 238 all out in the 44th over of the day-night match.

The emphatic victory by the 2011 World Cup finalists reduced Wednesday’s fifth and final match in Colombo to a formality. Dilshan’s 17th one-day century and the second against South Africa was studded with 16 boundaries. Sangakkara kept pace with his partner with eight fours and two sixes.
The pair put on Sri Lanka’s highest one-day stand for any wicket against the Proteas after opener Mahela Jayawardene had been removed for 12 in the 10th over.

Left-handed Sangakkara missed his second hundred in the series when he holed out in the deep off Morne Morkel when just 10 more were needed for victory. Ragged South Africa paid dearly for conceding 20 extras that included 17 wides and a no-ball.  Earlier, JP Duminy hit 97 and a fit-again Hashim Amla made 77 to lift South Africa to 238 after the tourists won the toss and elected to bat.