Hashim Amla's classy hundred and a clinical bowling display led by leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who claimed four wickets, powered South Africa to a comprehensive 96-run victory over Sri Lanka in a lop-sided Champions Trophy match here on Saturday.
South Africa finished their series against England with a seven-wicket win at Lord's, having ensured every member of their Champions Trophy squad was involved at some stage in the three matches. Tahir and paceman Chris Morris (2/32) were the best performers.
South Africa's Morne Morkel made the first breakthrough when he dismissed the unsafe Niroshan Dickwella for 41 after the Sri Lanka opener's attempted drive down the ground resulted in a comfortable catch for Wayne Parnell at third man. Amla and fellow opening partner Quinton de Kock (23) struggled for runs initially, with Sri Lankan pacers Lasith Malinga and Suranga Lakmal keeping it tight from both ends.
Though the all-rounder was declared fully fit before the team's departure for the United Kingdom, a statement from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Thursday revealed that Mathews suffered a "strain on the muscle".
Du Plessis faced 70 deliveries and hit six fours.
Du Plessis made 75 in a second-wicket stand of 145 with Amla, who worked the ball off his pads and guided it behind square on the off side with the minimum of fuss.
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Former England batter Ebony Rainford-Brent on TMS: "Sri Lanka could have taken this deeper, but South Africa were very good". "The way he goes about his game with such intent gives the innings momentum, and I thought he batted beautifully in game one". South Africa's Faf du Plessis shot was travelling to long leg and Malinga was at the boundary. 33 year old de Villiers is the top ranked ODI batsman and South Africa's biggest asset in this competition.
Tahir then ended the Sri Lankan innings on 203, removing Nuwan Pradeep for 6 with Kusal Perera unbeaten on 44.
Tahir took the wickets of Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera and Asela Gunaratne and N Pradeep.
The return of veteran pacer Lasith Malinga, whose unorthodox, slingshot action makes him one of the most hard bowlers to face in world cricket, seems to be the only boost for the Sri Lankans.
Kagiso Rabada had spilled the simplest of caught and bowled chances off Upul Tharanga while fellow opener Niroshan Dickwella was smashing Wayne Parnell to all corners.
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