SL aim to break SA hoodoo in 4th ODI

Kimberley: Having lost the one-day international (ODI) series against South Africa with two matches to go, damage limitation would be the order of the day for Sri Lanka when they take on South Africa at Kimberley in the fourth one-day international (ODI) on Friday.

Earlier on Tuesday, the hosts sneaked a four-run win over the Lankans on the Duckworth/Lewis method in a rain-affected third ODI to clinch the five-match series 3-0.

South Africa were 179-5 after 34 overs chasing Sri Lanka's 266-9 when rain came down at Chevrolet Park.

South Africa clinched the ODI series against Sri Lanka with a win in the third match at Bloemfontein.

Umpires called the game off about an hour and 20 minutes later, handing South Africa a narrow victory and first series win under new skipper AB de Villiers.

De Villiers was 39 not out at the end and Albie Morkel 7 not out, but Faf du Plessis's career-best ODI score of 72 from 99 balls had pushed South Africa within reach of victory. Du Plessis' innings was crucial after Lasith Malinga (2-20) struck twice and the home team slipped to 113-4.

"I would have liked the game to go to the end, but I am proud of the boys. We pulled it back with the ball and were solid with the bat,'' De Villiers said.

(With inputs from AP)

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