South Africa crushes Sri Lanka, wins series

CAPE TOWN, JAN. 12. South Africa eased to its ninth successive one-day international victory crushing Sri Lanka by 99 runs in the fourth limited-over international at Newlands here on Thursday to clinch the six-match series.

South Africa's victory - which gave it a 4-0 lead - was virtually assured after it had piled up a total of 290 for seven.

Opener Romesh Kaluwitharana made a spirited 74 but Sri Lanka could only manage 191 all out in reply, with fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, the man-of-the-match, claiming career-best figures of five for 37. Apart from taking five wickets in an innings for the first time, Ntini was involved in a run out and also held a catch.

The depth of South Africa's pace bowling made it impossible for Sri Lanka to sustain the required run rate despite allrounder Lance Klusener limping off with an injured right knee after bowling only three balls.

Earlier, Boeta Dippenaar, Jacques Kallis and Jonty Rhodes all made half-centuries - Rhodes setting a South African record of five consecutive half-centuries - as South Africa piled on the agony to maintain its winning run which started with the 5-0 win over New Zealand late last year.

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Section  : Sport
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