Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 27 runs

Sri Lanka's superb run of form continued as they comfortably beat South Africa by 27 runs in the final of the Morocco Cup triangular tournament on Wednesday, to claim the winners cheque of US$120,000.

A typically explosive half century from captain Sanath Jayasuriya provided the highlight of a largely one-sided contest, which Sri Lanka won with a total of 235 for seven wickets.

Some of the shine was taken off his match-winning score of 71, however, when he dislocated his shoulder after falling awkwardly taking a catch in the third over of South Africa's innings. He was unable to play on and could miss next month's ICC Champions Trophy.

Sri Lanka's total had looked modest but South Africa were quickly reduced to 91 for six and the match was effectively over.

Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher blasted 70 defiant runs from 65 balls to boost his team to 208 before he was last man out, but South Africa never looked like serious contenders for victory.

Jayasuriya tore into opening bowler Roger Telemachus belting 36 runs from his four overs to reach 50 from just 43 balls with seven fours and a six and had reached 71 from as many balls before driving spinner Nicky Boje to long on.

An opening stand of 78 was ended when Marvan Atapattu (25) clipped fast bowler Allan Donald to short midwicket in the 15th over but Kumar Sangakkara (40) helped Jayasuriya take the total to 119 in the 23rd over and Sri Lanka seemed destined for a score of at least 250.

Aravinda de Silva edged a short ball from Jacques Kallis to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher after making 33 from 47 balls and thereafter the Sri Lankan middle and lower order struggled for every run against disciplined bowling from Lance Klusener and Allan Donald, who both claimed two wickets for just 35 runs.

Sri Lanka's opening bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Pulasthi Gunaratne took two wickets each, while master spinner Muttiah Muralitharan once again dominated the latter half of the innings to finish with two for 35 from 10 overs.

Mail Cricket Editor