SA beat SL by 78 runs | South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd ODI Match

Okay. After a 1-5 drubbing at the hands of India at home, South Africa badly needed this series win to raise their spirits. Remove the previous series and the one to England in England and you will find that they have actually won 9 out of their last 11 bilateral ODI series including this one, which is their second consecutive series win in the Island Nation. Now, their next aim will be a 5-0 whitewash. Can Sri Lanka avoid that? They have lost their 5th ODI series on the trot, winning just 1 out of their last 18 games. Not to mention that this is also their 10th straight loss in ODIs at home. Save aside that win against India in Dharamsala in 2017, they have struggled big time with the white ball. Join us on Wednesday, 8th August, 2018, at 1430 local (0900 GMT) for the 4th ODI at this very ground. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Victorious South African captain, Faf du Plessis says that it was a brilliant display of cricket by his side. First praises the batting, especially the debutant Reeza Hendricks. Then says that it is amazing to see one or two guys put their hands up in almost every game. On the high-scoring match, Faf says that he did enjoy the batsmen scoring runs, even against his team's bowling, as it was a good test for his side. He also says that he enjoyed his bowlers going for wickets in spite of the runs being scored. On his own injury, Faf says that he will assess tomorrow and then check how his 'young' shoulder responds in the morning.

Sri Lankan skipper, Angelo Mathews, admits that it was disappointing the way Sri Lanka started with the ball, but is happy for the fact that they pulled it back in the middle overs. However, he rues the way the death overs panned out, adding that 364 was too much to chase on this wicket. Praises Hendricks, Duminy and Miller and stresses that the Lankan team is developing, on how to play different phases in one-day cricket.

Reeza Hendricks is the Man Of The Match for his scintillating century. Hendricks says that he already had a taste of international cricket having played T20Is but is elated to have done well in the One-day format. Stresses that with such a good side, it is very difficult to break in and is happy to have done well. On the surface, he says that he enjoyed batting on it as it was very true. On being asked about recording the fastest century by a debutant in ODIs, Reeza smiles and says that he was not aware of any such record.

Lungi Ngidi is having a chat with Shaun Pollock. He says that the Proteas were aware that it was a good pitch given the score their batsmen had put up. What they did not expect was the ball not moving much, with the track being absolutely flat. But they felt it resembled a true South African wicket, where you get value for your shots. Admits that the plan was always to try and pick up wickets and not be defensive. Is smiling on being asked about the series win, especially after the drubbing in the Tests. On the collision with de Kock, Ngidi laughs and says that he felt that he ran into a brick wall. Will go back to the dressing room and check the replays, he adds, to see what happened exactly. Now for the presentation.

Earlier, Angelo Mathews won the toss and decided to do something different - chase. However, a half century from Amla, followed by a century from Reeza Hendricks on debut and then some late blows from JP Duminy and David Miller took the score to 363. Thisara Perera picked up 4 wickets but went for plenty in the second half of his spell as the Proteas hammered 71 in the last 5 overs.

Even though they had a big score behind their backs, the bowlers aimed to take wickets and bowl the opposition out. Lungi Ngidi was impressive again and finished with 4 wickets while Phehlukwayo surprisingly picked up 3, without pace or movement. Quinton de Kock rotated his bowlers quite effectively in Faf du Plessis' absence, with only Tabraiz Shamsi finishing his quota of 10 overs.

The two Dananjayas got together - one with an 'H' and the other without 'H'. They played normal cricket, showing the top order how good a pitch this was. Managed to add 95 and give some respectability to the score. Dhananjaya de Silva was unlucky to miss out on a deserving ton and perhaps we might have had a closer game if the hosts had managed to string more partnerships.

With the target as steep as 364, it was no surprise that the Lankans came out all guns swinging. With the ball now swinging, the home side kept losing its batsmen one by one. At 155/6, needing more than 200, it seemed like we would be back home earlier than usual. But it was not to be.

So the series is sealed with 2 matches to go. South Africa have won 3 games on the trot in this series and 11 in succession against Sri Lanka. The only positive for the Lankans was that there was some fight offered by Akila Dananjaya and Dhananjaya de Silva, reducing the defeat margin to under 100.

Lungi Ngidi to Suranga Lakmal. OUT! Caught and bowled! Match and series win for South Africa. A short ball outside off, Lakmal looks to pull but gets a massive top edge which goes straight up in the air. Two people go for the catch - the bowler and the keeper. Neither look at each other nor communicate. Both get ready to take it. Almost collide into each other. But because Ngidi is taller, he takes it with his palm skywards, way over de Kock's face, leaving the captain smiling. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 78 RUNS!

Lungi Ngidi to Suranga Lakmal. A short ball on middle, slogged towards mid on.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Lahiru Kumara. Goes right back in his crease and blocks. Shamsi finishes his 10-over quota - the first to do so in this run chase - 10-0-62-2.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Lahiru Kumara. Outside off, a push and a miss.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Lahiru Kumara. FOUR! Great shot! Tossed up outside off, Kumara gets down and slogs it over mid on for a boundary!

Tabraiz Shamsi to Suranga Lakmal. The batsman plays the pull shot. One run added to the total.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Lahiru Kumara. Full and outside off, chipped over mid off for a run.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Suranga Lakmal. Dropped short, heaved towards mid-wicket for a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Lahiru Kumara. A long hop, pulled wide of mid on for a couple. Good fielding by the fielder running from the circle, getting to the ball and then dragging it back in.

Lungi Ngidi to Lahiru Kumara. Full and straight, defended back to the bowler.

Lungi Ngidi to Lahiru Kumara. The batsman appears to have been struck on the thigh pad.

Lungi Ngidi to Lahiru Kumara. Stays back in his crease and defends.

Lungi Ngidi to Lahiru Kumara. A bouncer, Kumara ducks.