Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 3rd ODI at Colombo, SL v SA, Sep 07 2021 - Match Result

9.54pm: Right, that concludes this ODI series from us. There's a T20I series coming up soon between these two teams, so make sure you join us for that one. Till then, on behalf of Sreshth and Ranjith and team, this is Saurabh Somani bidding you goodbye.

Dasun Shanaka: It's been hard, we haven't won a series at home for the last few years, so this counts a lot. The boys played really well, so lots more series win to come hopefully. We knew the toss wil play a major role in the game so winning the toss had a good impact on the match. First I thought 230 would be an ideal score on this pitch, but 200 also turned out to be a very good total. Theekshana was our trump card. He's more of a T20 bowler but I used him wisely in this match. He's a real prospect going forward. (On his form) I should have stayed more in this game and I think I must contribute more than I did in this series. Today I wanted to bat longer, and really wanted to contribute today because I wanted a series win badly.

Keshav Maharaj: I think the bowlers did a really good job. Yes it was slow and turning but the boys did well. Obviously the batting didn't go according to plan but full credit to Sri Lanka. I don't think so (the toss being a factor). It came on better. I think the Sri Lankan bowlers bowled well in the powerplay and set us back. The first two games, the approach was pleasing and positive. Today our plans weren't up to scratch, but lots of positives to take. We've got a few of our senior players back for the T20Is so hopefully that'll give us the boost we need.

Asalanka is the Player of the Series: It's always great to be the Player of the Series in an international tournament. It's my first one. I could see from the dressing room the pitch was helping spinners. My role was to bat longer, and I'm happy to do the job for my team. Initially I was looking at a score of 230-240 but later I thought 200-210 could do the job.

Chameera is the Player of the Match: The pitch was a bit slow. I didn't try too much, just tried to bowl a good length. That's why I think I got success. I've had lot of injuries in the past few years, so I've done extra fitness work for my bowling. I practiced well for the past few months. That's why I've managed to play continuously now.

Sampath has another great stat: The 16 wickets by spinners in this game are the second-most in a men's ODI, behind the 19 that fell to spinners in a Bangladesh vs Pakistan game in 2011.

Tim : "Just realised Shamsi scored his first ODI runs in his 30th game" -- well something to cheer for South Africa then, at least...

9.36pm: Huge win for Sri Lanka, and they've sealed the series with it too. Winning by 78 runs when defending 203 is as big as it gets. South Africa's chase was always teetering, and they had no answers to the spinners. Great debut for Theekshana, who ends with 4 for 37. Asalanka showed the best batting chops, and took a wicket too for good measure. Chameera was game while batting and incisive while bowling, making quick, early inroads that pushed South Africa back. The spinners then kept them pinned.

Willem: "As a South African supporter at this point I just want Shamsi to score 23 to give our other batters some perspective on their performance."

Dan: "Didn't u say 25.1 was a noball? Then how is it a dropped catch?" -- Kamindu didn't know it was a no-ball when going for it. Technically not a dropped catch, true.

South Africa have survived till the drinks break, but you have to think this is only a matter of time.