After a disappointing Test series, the South African team started the One-day international series on a winning note beating hosts Sri Lanka played at Rangiri International Stadium, Dambulla few moments. The South African bowlers set up the victory and dismissed the hosts for a modest total. A good batting performance by de Kock, du Plessis and Duminy helped them to chase the target with ease.
Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews won the toss and decided to bat first. Kagiso Rabada got the result by dismissing Niroshan Dickwella in very first over itself. The South African pace bowlers of Rabada and Lungi Ngidi troubled the Sri Lankan batsmen. Kusal Mendis was dismissed by Rabada for 3. Upul Tharanga was run out by JP Duminy for 10 runs. South Africa left Sri Lanka in big trouble at 36 for 5.
At the end of first 10 overs, Sri Lanka was 45 for 5. Thisara Perera and Kusal Perera counter-attacked against Mulder and Phehlukwayo. Both the batsmen took on South African bowlers adding 92 runs for the 6th wicket. Shamsi got the big wicket of Thisara Perera for 49 off 30 balls.
Kusal Perera played with positive intent and reached his half-century off 45 balls. Akila Danajaya made 11 runs. Perera was dismissed for 81 off 72 balls by Shamsi. South Africa bowled out Sri Lanka for 193 in 34.3 overs. Rabada and Shamsi picked 4 wickets each for the visitors.
Chasing the target of 194 to win, South African openers Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla got the team off to a decent start adding 31 runs for the first wicket. Danajaya dismissed Amla and Markram in successive balls.
South Africa went into the lunch break at 37 for 2. Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis played with positive intent. At the end of 10 overs, South Africa scored 60 for 2. After the power play overs, both batsmen continued their aggression against Sri Lankan spinners adding 86 runs for the 3rd wicket. Danajaya picked the wicket of de Kock for 47. Soon after Faf du Plessis played a poor stroke and was dismissed for 47.
JP Duminy came to the crease and looked positive against the Sri Lankan spinners. David Miller could not score many runs as he was dismissed for 10. JP Duminy and Mulder completed the job. In the process, Duminy reached his half-century off 32 balls. South Africa won the match by 5 wickets with 114 balls to spare.
South Africa 196 for 5 in 31 overs ( JP Duminy 53*, Quinton de Kock 47, Faf du Plessis 47, Danajaya 3/50) beat
Sri Lanka 193 in 34.3 overs ( Kusal Perera 81, Thisara Perera 49, Shamsi 4/33, Rabada 4/41) by 5 wickets.
For his 4 for 33, Shamsi was named the man of the match. South Africa takes a 1-0 lead in the 5 match ODI series. The 2nd ODI would be played at Dambulla on 1st August.
