Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 5th ODI at Colombo, , Aug 12 2018 - Ball by Ball Commentary

9.05pm Phew. De Kock collects the series trophy, and it's a big achievement for South Africa to have won here, especially after the Test series trouncing, but it feels like both teams will have a good feeling as the curtains come down. Sri Lanka have a lot of options if everyone's fit, and they will spend the next few months narrowing down their combination for the World Cup. South Africa will go back pleased with the result but with a clear idea that they need to work on their game against spin. All in all, an intriguing series even if the trophy was won after just three games. We hope you enjoyed our coverage. Until next time, goodbye!

Quinton de Kock: "Always nice getting ahead when you're in Sri Lanka. Not easy coming here and winning. It's always important, we know coming to the subcontinent isn't easy. I think they batted really well and bowled really well once again, they kept the pressure on us, Angie led them really well. Akila knows what he's doing with the ball. It's hard to take him on, he's got a lot of variations - we have batted well against him in this series, but today he bowled really well."

JP Duminy is the Player of the Series. "Looking back on the series, pretty happy with the way we're playing. Going 3-0 up in Sri Lanka is not easy. It was a tough decision to retire from Tests, but it's good to spend a lot more time with the family, and you come into these kinds of tournaments fresh. So far so good. The bowling is something I've been working on a lot with Claude Henderson, pleased to see the results coming in. I think the batting has really been good, just the mindset we've been approaching our batting with in the last four games. Hopefully we can dominate in the World Cup in a few months' time. Looking forward to the opportunity of captaining the side in the T20 game."

Angelo Mathews: "This was the performance we were looking for, unfortunately a bit too late. Lots of positives. The way Akila bowled today, Dhananjaya de Silva chipping in with the ball. Wicket was on the slower side, I was struggling initially. Pleased with the way I batted, good to contribute. Credit to the South Africans the way they played after having bad days in the Test series. It's a work in progress (for Sri Lanka ahead of the 2019 World Cup). We've still got time for the World Cup, we'll see how it goes."

Akila Dananjaya is the Player of the Match. "His plan was to be the best bowler in the series, and he's pleased about achieving it," is how Roshan Abeysinghe paraphrases his Sinhala replies. "He also wants to improve on his variations."

Malith: "Where is Chandimal, "Karthik " -- I don't think he gets into the first XI in ODIs. Could be in the squad, though.

Hasitha: "Karthik can you name a World Cup XI for SL?" -- Hmmm, this is a difficult one, but let me try. Gunathilaka, Dickwella, Kusal, Kusal, Mathews, Gunaratne, Dasun/Dhananjaya de Silva (depending on conditions), Thisara, Dananjaya, Lakmal, Rajitha/Kumara. Would look so much more balanced if Mathews were still able to bowl.

Romesh Kaluwith: "For a side that got whitewashed in 3 ODI series, lost an ODI series at home to Zimbabwe, and only managed a draw with Bangladesh, these last two ODIs have been a huge relief. Hopefully it injects some confidence to the players, especially the misfiring ODI top order."

Soham Basak: "In case any South African fan is feeling distraught at this capitulation, fret not. Just look at India's score against England and you will feel better."

8.38pm Akila Dananjaya was magnificent, and he wraps up a very good all-round performance from Sri Lanka at the Premadasa. Angelo Mathews was back to near his best, but South Africa's bowling was patchy, and I felt 299 was too big a first-innings total on this pitch. Now it looks like Sri Lanka could have defended 220 comfortably. Plenty of help for the spinners, and Dananjaya made it count by bowling brilliant lengths right through. South Africa really need to work on reading spin from the hand; they lost a home ODI series for the same reason earlier this year, against India's wristspin pair of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.

This is South Africa's third-worst ODI defeat ever, in terms of runs.

Junior Dala is in at No. 11.

1.1 overs left to bowl for Dananjaya, and he has 6 for 29. Can he sneak between Vaas and Murali?

Onesh Liyanage: "How nice is it when Mathews scores runs, others chip in around him, Akila taking wickets, this is what SL cricket fans are waiting to see more regularly. Have to say Hathu's doing a great job with the boys!"

Round the wicket to Rabada.

Slfan : "Having an A/level examination paper tomorrow morning and would like to thank Akila and Co. for finishing this match early so I could go and start studying :D" -- You've just set yourself up for an epic Rabada-Maharaj partnership.

Round the wicket to Rabada.