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Cape Town - A batting masterclass by Faf du Plessis saw the Proteas post an imposing 367 for 5 in the fourth one day international at Newlands on Tuesday.
LIVE: SA V SRI LANKA - 4th ODI
Du Plessis (185 off 141 balls, 13x4, 3x6) came to the wicket after the loss of Hashim Amla (1) and together with Quinton de Kock (55) put on 100 for the second wicket before De Kock fell to Sachith Pathirana.
Proteas captain, AB de Villiers then joined Du Plessis and the two ensured the run rate never dipped below six runs per over.
De Villiers was dismissed in the 37th over for a well played 64 after the pair had put on 137 for the third wicket.
During the course of the partnership, Du Plessis went to his ton off just 89 balls.
After De Villiers' dismissal, Du Plessis was joined by JP Duminy and the pair ensured there was no let off for the Sri Lankan bowlers, quickly putting on 47 with Duminy contributing a run-a-ball 20 before he was caught on the point boundary off Lahiru Kumara.
But this was Du Plessis day and he certainly didn't disappoint the Newlands crowd as he accelerated the scoring in the final ten overs of the innings.
By reaching 172, Du Plessis passed the highest one day international innings scored at Newlands. The previous record had belonged to Australia's David Warner.
He was eventually out in the final over of the innings, caught on the boundary while looking for a six that would take him past Gary Kirsten's 188, the highest individual one day international score by a South African.
Farhaan Behardien ended with a impressive 36 off just 20 balls.
Sri Lanka certainly have it all to do in their turn at the crease as the team batting second has only won six out of 28 one day internationals at the ground.
