South Africa v Sri Lanka

At The Oval, June 3. South Africa won by 96 runs. Toss: Sri Lanka.
South Africa made a slow start on a slow surface, but Amla's century - his 25th in one-day internationals - helped them to an eighth consecutive win over Sri Lanka. The openers managed just 32 off the first ten overs yet, while de Kock muddled and missed, there was a sense Amla was merely selecting the best way to skin the cat. He shelved his favourite checked drives for tucks off the hip and hard running; his first boundary came from his 28th delivery, and he hit only five fours and two sixes in all. Du Plessis adopted a similar approach on his way to 75, after surviving a top edge to fine leg on eight off Pradeep Fernando. Malinga was the culprit, playing his first ODI since November 2015, and looking heavy-legged. Amla and du Plessis added 145 - Sri Lanka were all too biddable in the middle overs - but from 189 for one in the 34th, the final assault never quite arrived. Amla ran out of steam on 103, and the others found hitting out hard, save for Duminy, who blasted the last two balls for four and six in a 20-ball 38. Sri Lanka had taken four hours in the field (earning Tharanga, standing in as captain for the injured Angelo Mathews, a two-match ban), but made a racing start to their reply. Dickwella jigged about his crease and flicked over the infield, while Tharanga waited for short balls from Parnell. They were 94 for one in the 12th, before de Villiers changed the game with a leaping right-handed catch at mid-on to remove Mendis, and a brilliant diving throw - releasing the ball left as his body flew right - to run out Chandimal. Without Mathews to shore up the middle order, the innings decayed against the jubilant Imran Tahir, who picked up four for 27, taking his haul in ten matches against Sri Lanka to 24 wickets at 15, and ran out Lakmal with a direct hit.
Man of the Match: Imran Tahir. Attendance: 19,706.