Share

De Kock, AB pummel Sri Lanka

Hambantota - Quinton de Kock and AB de Villiers smashed aggressive centuries to propel South Africa to an imposing 339-5 in the third and final one-day international against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

CLICK HERE to view live scoring

Left-hander De Kock smashed a 127-ball 128 while skipper De Villiers hit a fiery 71-ball 108, making a century off just 66 balls, as South Africa posted their highest total against Sri Lanka in windy conditions at Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Hambantota.


South Africa's previous highest one-day total against Sri Lanka was 317-6 at Centurion in 2002.

De Kock gave South Africa, who won the toss and batted, an ideal start with a solid 118-run opening stand with Hashim Amla (48) and another 116 with his skipper for the third wicket to give South Africa an ideal chance to win the series tied at 1-1.

South Africa won the first one-day in Colombo by 75 runs while Sri Lanka restored parity with an 87-run victory in the second at Pallekele.

De Kock, dropped at 38 off Sachithra Senanayake, reached his fifth one-day hundred with a sharp single off 108 balls.

The talented left-hander holed out at mid-off in the 41st over but not before bettering South Africa's highest individual one-day score against Sri Lanka made by Boeta Dippenaar (125 not out) at Adelaide in 2006.

In all De Kock hit 12 fours and three sixes but was overshadowed by his skipper who smashed 11 boundaries and four sixes.

De Villiers was in a punishing mood, dancing and moving at the pitch with consummate ease to stroke his way to the third fastest one-day century by a South African behind Mark Boucher's 44-ball effort and his own 58-ball century in the past.

De Villiers hit two boundaries and then took a single off Angelo Mathews to complete his 17th one-day hundred.

In between Jacques Kallis missed out, trapped leg-before for just four to end a disappointing series with five runs, leaving a big question mark on his survival until next year's World Cup.

Sri Lanka had packed their side with five spinners, bringing in Rangana Herath for paceman Nuwan Kulasekara, while South Africa replaced injured paceman Vernon Philander with Wayne Parnell.

Ace home paceman Lasith Malinga went for 85 runs in his 10 wicket-less overs.

Teams:

South Africa: AB de Villiers (captain), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy, David Miller, Ryan McLaren, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (captain), TM Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara (wicketkeeper), Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Ashan Priyanjana, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1167 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
30% - 1361 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2070 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE