Champions Trophy:South Africa beats Srilanka

London, June 4: Opening batsman Hashim Amla's 25th century in One-Day International (ODI) cricket and leg-spinner Imran Tahir's 4/27 helped South Africa overwhelm Sri Lanka by 96 runs here on Saturday to begin their ICC Champions Trophy campaign emphatically.

Amla scored a measured 103 off 115 deliveries and shared a 145-run stand with Faf du Plessis (75) for the second wicket as South Africa recovered from a very slow start to score 299/6 in 50 overs in their Group B opener.

In reply, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 203 in 41.3 overs with only Captain Upul Tharanga (57), Niroshan Dickwella (41) and Kusal Perera (44 not out) providing some resistance against the South African bowlers. Tahir and paceman Chris Morris (2/32) were the best performers.

The foundation of the win was laid by Amla after Sri Lanka won the toss and asked South Africa to bat at Kennington Oval. Amla and du Plessis to build a partnership and they paced the innings well mixing ones and twos with occasional boundaries.

Jean-Paul Duminy (38 not out in 20 deliveries) and Chris Morris (20 off 19) did their job to take them to 299/6 in 50 overs.

During the chase, Dickwella and Tharanga gave Sri Lanka a flying start, putting up 69 runs for the opening wicket in 8.2 overs.

Sri Lanka was seven down for 191 in 37.2 overs. Eventually, they were bowled out for 203.

Brief scores: South Africa 299/6 in 50 overs (Hashim Amla 103, Faf du Plessis 75; Nuwan Pradeep 2/54).

Sri Lanka: 203 all out in 41.3 overs (Upul Tharanga 57, Kusal Perera 44 not out, Niroshan Dickwella 41; Imran Tahir 4/27. Chris Morris 2/32).