Sri Lanka Masters pick up first win in close contest

Sri Lanka Masters made amends for their loss in the opening match of the Cricket Legends of Barbados Cup against West Indies Masters, by beating South Africa Masters by four runs in Bridgetown.

Chasing a challenging 172 to win, South Africa were lifted by Adrian Kuiper's unbeaten 62 from 32 balls, which included three fours and four sixes. Three of those sixes came off successive balls in the 18th over bowled by Kumar Dharmasena, which eventually cost 24.

However, needing 31 from the last two overs, the unbeaten seventh-wicket partnership of 51 between Kuiper and Pat Symcox failed to secure the win. Ruwan Kalpage was the star bowler for Sri Lanka, picking up 3 for 20 from his four overs.

Sri Lanka had ended on 171 for 7 earlier in the day. They lost Athula Samarasekera and Marvan Atapattu early - Samarasekera was caught at deep backward square pulling a short ball from Fanie de Villers, while Atapattu was run out by a direct hit from mid-off.

Romesh Kaluwitharana, with a blistering 48- ball 75, and Hemantha Wickramaratne (34) then exploded during a whirlwind third-wicket stand of 84 from 9.2 overs, before Wickramaratne was bowled while swinging across the line to Dave Callaghan. Kaluwitharana smashed four sixes and three fours and was castled by a full-length delivery.

Sri Lanka were 81 for 2 at the half-way mark, and the hundred was raised in the 13th over when Kaluwitharana struck his third six over long on. The innings was given a timely push as 45 runs came from the last five overs for the loss of four wickets.