South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: Sri Lanka tour of South Africa, 2016-17 Venue: St George's Park, Port Elizabeth Date & Time: Jan 28, 10:00 AM LOCAL

South Africa's opening stand scored more than one-third of the runs needed. © Cricbuzz

This contest was much underwhelming, especially after the visitors won the T20I series 2-1. The hosts have simply pulverized a clueless Sri Lankan side. We did see AB de Villiers captain, and bat for his 27-ball 30, in ODIs after a long time. Here's hoping for a greater contest in the second ODI - February 01, Wednesday in Durban. For now, Pratyush Sinha takes leave. Goodnight and ta-ta!

"I always use my variations and make the batsmen think. The most pleasing thing is I bowled according to the plan. Our fast bowlers did really well."

Tharanga:"It's about spinners in these sort of games, our spinners couldn't control as we didn't put runs on the board."

De Villiers: "The wicket was a bit two-paced, much like Sri Lankan home conditions, but the new ball bowlers bowled with a lot of intensity. I'm expecting a better fight from them in the next game."

South Africa have mauled down the target in 34.2 overs to go 1-0 up in the five-match ODI series. 181, on this pitch, was just not good enough. Parnell vindicated de Villiers's call to bowl first, with two wickets in his first two overs, and then Tahir took over. Skidder, googlies, flatter ones and there he was, sprinting his way to figures of 10-0-26-3. Two of those wickets were of well-set Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis, breaking a partnership and putting Sri Lanka's riposte in an utter disarray. And despite the pitch progressively slowing down, fifties from Amla and du Plessis skateboarded South Africa to an easy win.

24th ODI fifty for the Test skipper. It's all to easy for South Africa. Scores level now..

describes it on the live commentary page:

de Silva drives to the left of sweeper cover, they ran all right until they completed the single, but there was clear confusion while setting off for the second. Start-stop, start-stop affair and Gunaratne runs himself out in the end. He may not have heard the call from his partner, was slow to take off for the second run. Morris hurls it to QDK who then shoots it straight to Parnell. There was a desperate dive, but Parnell dislodged the stumps in a flash. No chance.

Phew.

Tweet to or to yours truly , or use #CBLiveBlog to send in your arm-chair opinions. Let's find out who has a bigger arm rest.

After his opening burst of 4-1-15-2 - yes, yes, the one that had Sri Lanka snailing forward - he's back to partner Imran Tahir. This could be lethal.

Come on Sri Lanka..! This kinda target is not even enough for @QuintonDekock12 . We need to see @ABdeVilliers17 bat. @cricbuzz

Kusal Mendis crisps out a front foot drive and there he was.. at covers.. diving to stop the ball and tossing it in the air like a half-baked pancake. Looked like he collected the ball on the half-volley, was on the half-volley but Miller wanted theatrics. Did so. We all have our own versions of coffees, they say.

Chandimal and Mendis have found run-making easier after the opening bowlers - Rabada and Parnell - were done with. Morris has sustained the early pressure with figures of 4-1-9-0 but Phehlukwayo has been found slightly wanting, in bowling conditions that could be worse. 18 off 4 overs for him. Admittedly, these are figures not so bad but the bowlers preceding him have set the bar staggeringly high.

Sunny again. And you don't need your umbrellas at all. The temperature reads 24 degrees. Lovely, lovely band playing at St George's Park. #AnythingButVuvuzelas

This is already the greatest ever redemption today - TODAY - for ODI cricket.

The players stay on for now but there's the camera lens, sputtered with droplets. The weather apps suggest a 53% chance of some rain.. but that's for right now. It gets better from here.

Am i watching an ODI or a Test match