Hashim Amla scored another century and Ryan McLaren delivered another telling bowling performance. But South Africa did not claim another victory. Instead, Sri Lanka squared the one-day series in Pallekele yesterday.
The home side seemed bound for 300 before they were dismissed for 267 in 49.2 overs. South Africa should have forged far closer to their target than the 180 they were bowled out for in 38.1 overs, which gave Sri Lanka victory by 87 runs.
The series hinges on the last match in Hambantota on Saturday and the home side may have an advantage going into the decider.
Dale Steyn left the field after bowling 2.3 overs, having had his right thumb smacked by a vicious drive from Tillakaratne Dilshan, whose 86 was Sri Lanka's top score.
But too many SA batsmen were undone by the part-time but nuggety bowling of Dilshan, who used a responsive pitch well to take 3/40, and the sidewinding Lasith Malinga, who claimed 4/24.
Dilshan's first prey was AB De Villiers, whose heave to long-on in the 20th over started a slide that claimed five wickets for 26 runs.
Malinga started SA's problems by cleanbowling Quinton de Kock in the third over. He also had a flapping Jacques Kallis caught behind for one and removed Amla in the 38th over with a full toss that the centurion slapped to mid-on.
McLaren ripped through the Lankans' middle order, taking all of his wickets in the throes of the home side losing 5/11 in the final 20 balls of their innings.
It was another steady rather than spectacular performance from a bowler as unflashy as he is efficient. Now, if more of his teammates would follow that lead, SA could find a way to win the series in Hambantota on Saturday.
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