Dilshan, Mendis give Sri Lanka crucial win in Champions Trophy
By IANSTuesday, September 22, 2009
CENTURION - Sri Lanka started its Champions Trophy campaign with a 55-run win over hosts South Africa via the Duckworth Lewis method in the rain marred opening match of the tournament at the SuperSport Park here Tuesday.
Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan struck a flamboyant 106 as Sri Lanka made 319 for eight in 50 overs after they were put into bat by South Africa in the Group B match.
In reply, South Africa were struggling at 206 for seven in 37.4 overs with Albie Morkel batting on 26 and Roelof van der Merwe three when heavy rains came down forcing the abandonment of the match.
Spinner Ajantha Mendis troubled the South African batsmen with his three for 30 and pegged them on the back foot.
Dilshan was adjudged the Man of the Match for his 92-ball innings during which he hit 16 fours and one six. Dilshan and skipper Kumar Sangakkara (54) reaped 158 runs on a slow, even-bounce pitch to build the foundation of the innings.
Mahela Jayawardene (77) and Thilan Samaraweera (37) caused more problems for the hosts, adding 116 runs off 106 runs for the fourth wicket before Wayne Parnell dismissed them in consecutive deliveries. Both Parnell and Dale Steyn picked up three wickets.
South Africa started the chase on a rocky note after medium pacer Angelo Matthews rattled opener Hasim Amlas (2) stumps in the third over.
Graeme Smith (58) and Jacques Kallis (31) started the repair act but it was mystery spinner Mendis who turned the match on his heels picking up the two batsmen for his three for 30.
South African batsmen completely failed to read Mendis and the Sri Lankan simply kept the host guessing with his well disguised deliveries.
