Kumar Sangakkara smashed a career-best 169 as Sri Lanka thrashed South Africa by 180 runs, its second heaviest defeat by runs in one-day international cricket on Saturday.
Fast bowler Lasith Malinga dealt a blow to South Africa’s chase, bowling out opener Colin Ingram with an inswinging yorker for a first-ball duck. The visitors never recovered from there as they lost regular wickets to be dismissed for 140 with nearly 19 overs to spare.
Sangakkara smashed six sixes and 18 boundaries to propel Sri Lanka to a commanding 320-5 in the opening one-day international against South Africa.
Sri Lanka lost opener Tillakaratne Dilshan with the total on 23 after being asked to bat by South Africa captain AB de Villiers.
Coming in at No 3, the lefthanded Sangakkara took full advantage of some wayward bowling from the visitors for his 16th one-day century. He proceeded to beat his previous best one-day score of 138 not out against India in 2005 and finished with the third highest ODI innings by a Sri Lankan — after Sanath Jayasuriya’s 189 and Upul Tharanga’s 174 not out.
Sangakkara shared useful partnerships of 70 for the second wicket with Tharanga who made 43, and 74 with Mahela Jayawardene (42).
Sangakkara contributed 100 in a 84-ball stand of 123 with Lahiru Thirimanne (17) for the fourth wicket.
Brief Scores
Sri Lanka 320/5 in 50 overs Sangakkara 169, Tharanga 43, Jayawardene 42, Morkel 2-34 South Africa 140 all out in 31.5 overs Petersen 29, Herath 3-25, Perera 3-31 Result: Sri Lanka won by 180 runs Man of the Match: Kumar Sangakkara