Malinga's costly drop

Jun 03, 2017

Lasith Malinga, playing his first ODI since November 2015, kept South Africa in check•AFP

Malinga's reprieve of Faf du Plessis at long leg signalled a change in momentum•Getty Images

AB de Villiers lasted all of four deliveries, toe-ending a pull as Sri Lanka clawed back with quick strikes•Getty Images

JP Duminy mounted a late charge with an unbeaten 38 off 20 balls that shored up the total to 299•AFP

Niroshan Dickwella's turbocharge established Sri Lanka's early dominance•Getty Images

Imran Tahir then scythed through Sri Lanka with three scalps that set them back to 155 for 6•Getty Images

... while Malinga chopped on a short ball from Rabada•AFP

Quinton de Kock was uncharacteristically subdued before falling to Nuwan Pradeep•Getty Images

Hashim Amla consolidated to bring up his 34th ODI fifty•Getty Images

Amla, meanwhile, became the quickest batsman to 25 ODI hundreds...•Getty Images

Sri Lanka's fans enjoyed a sunny day at The Oval•Getty Images/ICC

Upul Tharanga was slow to get off the blocks, but soon began stroking fluidly•PA Images

Kusal Perera fought hard to keep the chase alive, but ran out of partners•AFP

Tahir then sealed the game with the wicket of Nuwan Pradeep to finish with 4 for 27 as South Africa completed a comprehensive 96-run win•AFP

Amla and Faf du Plessis raised a century stand off just 88 deliveries to drive South Africa•Getty Images

...before a tired dive while attempting a second run consumed him•AFP

Kagiso Rabada dropped two return catches early in the chase•AFP

Morne Morkel broke through, getting rid of Dickwella, but Sri Lanka pillaged 87 in the first 10•Getty Images

Suranga Lakmal was run out to a direct hit from Tahir...•Getty Images