SA beat SL by 5 wickets | Sri Lanka vs South Africa, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st ODI Match

That brings us to the close of a one-sided affair. This time, South Africa have been clinical for a change. After the drubbing they received in the Test series, they have come out with flying colours in the white-ball format. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, had a bad day at the office. They need to put in an improved performance if they are to challenge an explosive South African side. Join us for the 2nd ODI from the same venue on 1st August at 1430 local (0900 GMT). Till then, cheers!

South Africa skipper, Faf du Plessis says that he is feeling much better after this win. Mentions that there was an opportunity for the seamers to get wickets in the first 15 overs and they had discussed just that. States that the breeze was a big challenge but feels that some past experience came to their rescue. Adds that the bowlers handled it well. Feels that they didn't play well in the Test series and admits that they have learnt some lessons. Opines that his batsmen took risks today and they paid off. Ends by saying that he is really looking forward to the upcoming games.

Sri Lanka skipper, Angelo Mathews says that he is disappointed with their performance. Feels that they have the ability to bounce back in the remaining four games. States that after the first 8 overs, the game had slipped out of their hands but Kusal Perera and Thisara Perera play really well to bring them back. Credits the South African bowlers for hitting the right channels. Ends by suggesting that a score above 250 would have been ideal on this track.

Man of the Match, Tabraiz Shamsi says that their fast bowlers were exceptional upfront. Adds that it made his task earlier. Feels that the wind was a major factor and he had to make plans regarding where to bowl. States that this track didn't spin much. Appreciates the support from the team management and says that the dressing room atmosphere has been really good.

JP Duminy is being interviewed on the sidelines. He says that they had some conversation regarding their game plans. Adds that fortunately it worked today. Mentions that there were a few demons which was going on in his mind at the start of the innings. States that he is happy that his strokeplay came good today. Credits their bowlers for their performance. Feels there was something on the track in the first 10-15 overs and the seamers made use of it. Adds that they were looking to bowl the South African lengths and nick the guys out. Reckons that there was purchase for the spinners too. Ends by saying that they will be aiming to take the momentum forward.

Sri Lanka were over-reliant on their spinners to do the job but once their mystery was solved, they looked completely clueless. Akila Dananjaya picked three wickets but never looked threatening to run away with the game, apart from the fifth over he bowled. Probably a break in play after that gave the touring team time to regroup and rethink their strategies. The most disappointing performance was of Lakshan Sandakan who was not allowed to settle down, especially by Faf du Plessis. All in all, a pretty mediocre effort by the hosts in both the departments.

The chase began on a positive note by South Africa. Both Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla looked positive and played their shots. However, the fifth over saw Akila Dananjaya removing Amla and Aiden Markram off consecutive balls. We all thought that will put the cat among the pigeons but the sensible heads of Faf du Plessis and de Kock managed to avoid any hiccup. They constructed an 86-run stand which steadied the nerves inside the dressing room and made the chase smooth. Despite losing both the set batsmen after that, South Africa kept pressing for runs and the experience of JP Duminy saw them through.

Earlier, some excellent pace bowling by Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi forced the hosts on the back foot right at the beginning. They bowled with venom and fire and dismissed Sri Lanka's top half inside the first Powerplay. Then, Kusal Perera and Thisara Perera combined for a counterattacking partnership of 92 runs to bring some sanity in the Lankan innings. Post that, Tabraiz Shamsi utilized the conditions to pick a 4-fer and helped the tourists in restricting Sri Lanka under 200.

Easily done. South Africa have turned the tables. Their fortunes have changed. They have passed the litmus test against spinners today and that mainly happened due to the aggressive approach they adopted against the Lankan tweakers. The Protea batsmen played the cross-batted shots to great effect and didn't allow the likes of Dananjaya and Sandakan to dominate proceedings.

Lakshan Sandakan to JP Duminy. FOUR! Duminy finishes it off in style! He also reaches his 26th ODI fifty, it has been a knock of substance from him. Shorter in length outside off, JP rocks back and cuts it through the point region to find the ropes. A clinical performance from the visitors and the customary handshakes take place. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 5 WICKETS, WITH 19 OVERS TO SPARE!

Lakshan Sandakan to Willem Mulder. Spinning in, tucked through square leg for a run.

Lakshan Sandakan to Willem Mulder. This one pitches outside off and skids through. Mulder tries to cut it but misses.

Lakshan Sandakan to Willem Mulder. FOUR! Innovation at its best! On a shorter length outside off, Mulder gets into the position for reverse sweep and nails it past short third man. The ball races to the fence. South Africa are only a hit away from a victory.

Lakshan Sandakan to Willem Mulder. Tossed up outside off, driven straight to the man at short extra cover.

Lakshan Sandakan to JP Duminy. Loopy delivery on a full length around off, swept away hard to deep square leg for a run.

Suranga Lakmal to Willem Mulder. Very full delivery around off, Mulder squeezes it out to the same region. Only 8 more needed for South Africa.

Suranga Lakmal to Willem Mulder. Pitched up ball around off, defended off the front foot to covers.

Suranga Lakmal to Willem Mulder. FOUR! Supreme timing! Too full and straight from Lakmal, Mulder holds his shape and flicks it beautifully past the short mid-wicket fielder. A boundary results.

Suranga Lakmal to Willem Mulder. Similar length ball outside off, blocked off the back foot towards cover-point.

Suranga Lakmal to Willem Mulder. Back of a length ball on middle, tucked towards short mid-wicket. Duminy wants a single but he is rightly sent back.

Suranga Lakmal to JP Duminy. Short ball, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a single. South Africa are doing it easily.