Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 1st ODI at Colombo, SL v SA, Sep 02 2021 - Ball by Ball Commentary

11.27pm Phew. A match that went the distance, and Sri Lanka only really pulled clear in the last 2-3 overs. Classic ODI cricket, and that's always great to watch and commentate on. We hope you enjoyed our coverage. Lots more still to come through this series. Keep tuning in, and keep sending in your feedback. From myself, Sreshth, Chandan and the rest of the crew, good night!

Dan the Man: "I note that the last time SA chased more than 280 successfully, only Rabada and Phehlukwayo were in the same team. The entire top 7 was different to today, just 4 years ago"

Afser Rahuman: "Man of the match is the one who threw the ball at Bavuma "

"Dhananjaya de Silva could have completed his quota of 10 overs instead. His economy rate is way better than Chameera" -- It's a different ball game bowling in the death overs, Naveen.

Dasun Shanaka: "It was a very good win. At the end, they really came into the game, but our bowlers pulled it back. We started really well, Minod and Avishka, then DDS and Charith Asalanka did really well. It was about the consistency, and the plan was to keep wickets in hand until the 40th over. We kept the momentum going really well. It was turning a bit in the first innings, but it didn't when we bowled. The spinners bowled in good areas, and they will come back strongly in the next game. It's always hard to chase on this wicket, and 300 is a really good total, so there was no nervous feeling for us."

Keshav Maharaj: Temba is going for a scan, we'll know tomorrow how it goes. He's a fighter, I'm sure he'll be fine. We made some mistakes here and there, but a lot of positives. We tried to stay in the chase as long as possible. I tried to hit my areas and tried to be as consistent as possible, tried to read the batter and where they wanted to score off me, and luckily that came off. We had very good preparation. I thought the batters did really well. The turning point was Temba's injury, because he and Aiden were going really well until then,m but credit to Sri Lanka's bowlers for holding their nerve."

Avishka Fernando is the Player of the Match. [Translated from Sinhalese by Roshan Abeysinghe:] "I was determined to score runs. I wasn't too pleased with my start but I was pleased with how the innings went later on." He also said he was pleased with how he pitch played.

from CSA: "Temba is leaving for a scan immediately after play and will be replaced by Keshav Maharaj at the post match presentation."

11.11pm Look at the time. Sri Lanka fans, your wishes have been answered. Much needed 10 points earned on the Super League table. South Africa will be thinking about the what-ifs. They had a few caught-and-bowled chances that went down. Then Markram's dismissal at such a crucial stage. The asking rate was never too much for South Africa to fret over, but their batters could not do what Sri Lanka did in their last ten. Sri Lanka hit 90 in their last 60 balls, South Africa could score only 76. Those 14 runs eventually was the difference between victory and defeat.

That said, it was an exciting ODI game. Avishka Fernando's century and Aiden Markram's 96 sets the tone for what could be a high-scoring series. But don't forget Charith Asalanka's 72. That provided the momentum for the back-half assault from Sri Lanka's batters. Spinners looked menacing all day, but the batters also showed that the influence of spin can be mitigated by those who choose to apply themselves. Time for the presentation.

SL coach Mickey Arthur has walked out into the dugout. He was in the pavilion before.

All mathematical now.

Too little too late you reckon. Overs 48 and 49 were too good from Sri Lanka.

23 off 5.

charan: "Its tough being a SA team fan"

nafi: "What if Bavuma was not retired hurt, it would have been a different game."

KG Rabada. Possesses what we like to call a "long handle"

Qamar: "We are praising Lankan spinners but look at Maharaj bowling figure " -- Bowling conditions during Maharaj's spell had very little dew. Anway, here's Karunaratne. SA need 32 off 12. Long off out there. Third man inside the circle.

Johann: "Death by asphyxiation. Spin right up to the 47th over - only possible when SA is batting!"

Good over so far after being expensive in his first five.

Three overs to go.