COLOMBO, 1 September 2004 — Sri Lanka completed a 5-0 sweep against South Africa with a 49-run victory in the fifth and final one-dayer here yesterday despite a fighting century from Jacques Kallis.
Kallis, 28, hammered 101 for his 13th ton but South Africa could not prevent Sri Lanka from cruising through after setting an imposing 309-run target following brisk half-centuries from Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara.
South Africa were bowled out for 259 in the 49th over.
Kallis hit seven fours and a six off 127 deliveries as he equaled the South African record for the maximum number of centuries in one-dayers by Gary Kirsten, who retired from international cricket earlier this year.
Kallis was involved in a 114-run stand for the third wicket with left-hander Jacques Rudolph (48) to raise hopes of a fightback but leg-spinner Upul Chandana removed both batsmen on way to his first five-wicket haul.
Jayasuriya, who had propelled the Sri Lankan innings with a fluent knock, came on to take three wickets with his left-arm spin as South Africa suffered their 10th consecutive defeat in one-dayers. South Africa, whose losing run began in New Zealand earlier this year where they went down 5-1, have now equaled their previous worst run of 10 losses in 1994.
South Africa also lost a two-Test series 1-0 here. “It has been very tough for our team from the second Test and quite a few things have not clicked for us. We thought we would take our chances and put them under pressure,” said South African captain Graeme Smith.
“But a target of over 300 is too much in such conditions and we could probably have chased something like 280,” he said.
Earlier, Jayasuriya (79) and Sangakkara (72) took turns to torment the pedestrian South African bowling attack. Saman Jayantha also made merry as the hosts posted a big total. He contributed an impressive 51 off 68 balls, including six fours, after opener Avishka Gunawardene was bowled by Shaun Pollock in the first over.
Jayasuriya hit seven fours in his 85-ball knock to surpass his previous highest score of 71 against South Africa. He added 125 for the second wicket with Jayantha.
Jayasuriya, dropped by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher off left-arm spinner Nicky Boje on 43, fell to Smith when a leading edge went straight to Herschelle Gibbs at short cover. It was his 56th one-day fifty. Sangakkara continued the good work, adding 84 for the fourth wicket with Mahela Jayawardene (39), who led the team in the absence of regular skipper Marvan Atapattu, who had to attend to his sick daughter.
Sangakkara struck four boundaries and a six during his attractive 71-ball innings before he was caught by Kallis at long-on off seamer Charles Langeveldt while trying to force the pace. Langeveldt also took the wickets of Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan in the final overs to finish with 3-31.
Stand-in skipper Jayawardene said the triumph was the result of team effort.
“Credit should go to all members of our team for coming up with a disciplined effort and sticking to basics. It’s been wonderful leading this side and we hope to continue the fine run in the coming days,” he said.
