South Africa wins rain-affected third ODI to claim series

Johannesburg, Jan 18(ANI): South Africa won the third one-day international against Sri Lanka by four runs through the Duckworth Lewis method on Tuesday at Bloemfontein.

They have also won the five-match series after beating the Lankans in the first two matches.

South Africa had scored 179 runs with loss of four wickets by the 34th over when rain stopped the game from proceeding further.

At the start of 34th over, the Proteas were three runs behind the required run rate but Lasith Malinga bowled a loose over and conceded eight runs, which eventually cost the Lankans the match.

Malinga had started well when he took two wickets in his first spell of four overs in which he also gave away just 12 runs leaving the Proteas quivering on 29 for two, The sports24 reports.

After Tillakaratne Dilshan scalped the wicket of Alviro Peterson, Faf du Plessis, coming in at four, and JP Duminy shared a much-needed 61-run partnership before Duminy was run out.

Du Plessis was also run out after a match-saving knock of 72 runs and after this captain AB de Villiers batted sensibly along with Albie Morkel to secure a win for them, keeping the rain in their mind.

Sri Lanka on the other hand scored 266 for nine with the help of Upal Tharanga's innings of 58 (50 off 54 balls) and Kumar Sangakkara's innings of 38.

This was De Villiers first series win in his maiden series as captain of the squad. (ANI)