SA vs Sri Lanka: De Kock powers Proteas to 4-0 series lead

Quinton de Kock turned in another solid batting performance as South Africa made light work of a modest victory target of 190 set by Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.

The hosts lead the five-match series 4-0 going into the final match at Newlands.

Coming straight of a century in his last outing, the wicketkeeper-batsman struck six boundaries as he raced to 51 off 57 balls before losing his wicket – caught by Upul Tharanga at mid-wicket off Dhananjaya de Silva.

There were starts for Aiden Markram (29) and Faf du Plessis (43), but both batsmen were back in the hut as South Africa lost four wickets before being steered home by David Miller and JP Duminy, who were both unbeaten on 25 and 31 respectively.

Earlier Anrich Nortje registered career-best figures of 3/57 as some shambolic batting from Sri Lanka left them in heaps of trouble at 131/9 before a 68-run partnership between Isuru Udana and Kasun Rajita gave the team total a semblance of respectability.

Udana was the sole aggressor in the partnership, and was especially severe on Nortje, smashing 37 runs off his last two overs.

He was eventually dismissed for 78 off 57 balls – becoming Andile Phehlukwayo’s second victim as the all-rounder notched up figures of 5/21.

The two sides next do battle in Cape Town on Saturday in what is the hosts’ final competitive ODI before the World Cup, which begins on 30 May in England.

They will also remain in the Mother City for the first of three T20 Internationals which takes place ofn Tuesday, 19 March.