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AB savours 'satisfying' win

Colombo - Proteas captain, AB de Villiers, has described South Africa's third ever ODI win in Sri Lanka as a satisfying achievement.

As it happened: Sri Lanka v Proteas

The Proteas outshone the hosts with both bat and ball at the R Premadasa stadium on Sunday, and hold an early advantage in the three-match series.
 
"It's very satisfying," he said of the win.

"We had a tough tour here the last time we came.

"Even though we lost 4-1 I still felt like we weren't that far off the mark, although the scorecard doesn't agree with my comments.

"The belief and the way we have learned from the last time gives me a lot of satisfaction. 

"We aren't going to get complacent going into the next game, we know that we are going to have to work hard and the work starts all over in Kandy."
 
The skipper commended the all-round contribution from his bowling attack, who held their nerve during Kumar Sangakkara's blistering knock, to take five wickets for 13 runs to wrap up the match.
 
"Imran Tahir pulled it back really nicely after his opening two-over spell, and JP (Duminy) as well," he said.

"All four seam bowlers also bowled really well together.

"I think it was a good team performance, it's not about the seamers outplaying the spinners or vice-versa.

"It was a good wicket and those that got wickets did a good job."
 
Hashim Amla's second consecutive century on tour laid the platform for the Proteas to amass their highest ODI total against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, and was the pillar for an impressive batting unit performance from the top seven batsmen.
 
"I think he prepared really well coming into the series," De Villiers said of his team mate.

"He played at Surrey for a month, got his technique in order and did really well there.

"He has hit the ground running here and his hard work has paid off.

"It's amazing to bat with him, we enjoy each other's company out there, like we did today.

"Hopefully there will be more of those partnerships to come."
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