South Africa rattle Sri Lankans in Perth

A superb knock by Boeta Dippenaar has led South Africa to a crushing five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their vital VB Series game in Perth this evening.

Requiring a modest 222 to win, the Proteas made a solid start after reaching 1-164 in the 32nd over, before a mid-innings slump prevented the extra point from being attained, as they reached the target in the 46th over.

Opener Dippenaar (87) provided South Africa with the solid start as he notched up his third score beyond fifty this series, while skipper Graeme Smith backed up his 3-30 with the ball earlier in the day with a solid 41.

However, a terrorising spell of 3-44 by Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan prevented the extra point from being snaffled, as he momentarily blotted the script.

The controversial spinner snagged the wickets of Dippenaar and Smith, and after Jacques Rudolph (25) was dismissed by Malinga Bandara, he picked up his third scalp when he rattled Herschelle Gibbs' stumps for four at 4-175.

Justin Kemp (6) was stumped by Kumar Sangakkara - his fourth dismissal - attempting to hit Bandara into the river at 5-190, but Mark Boucher (30no) and Ashwell Prince (20no) safely negotiated a path to victory with an unbeaten 34-run stand.

South Africa slot into second on the VB Series table with 12 points in five matches, behind leaders Australia (18 points in six matches) and ahead of the Sri Lankans (nine points in six matches) with three round-robin matches to play.

Earlier in the day, Jehan Mubarak and Sanath Jayasuriya provided Sri Lanka with a brutal start as they churned out 91 runs in the first 15 overs.

Though, when Smith introduced himself into the attack, he reaped the rewards immediately when he bowled Mubarak for 31 at 1-94.

Jayasuriya continued his belligerent assault, bringing up his 50 in 44 balls, before Smith picked up his second scalp as Ashwell Prince superbly caught the danger-man at gully for a whirlwind 86 in only 65 balls.

Smith continued to yield his mastery with the ball, claiming Mahela Jayawardene lbw for one, before Charl Langeveldt dismissed Kumar Sangakkara (16) as Sri Lanka lost 3-7 to fall to 4-144.

Marvan Atapattu (7) made his stay brief when Johannes van der Wath picked up his first scalp at 5-159.

The ship continued to sink as Russel Arnold (15), Chaminda Vaas (0) and Nuwan Kulasekara (1) all fell in quick succession - the Proteas claiming 3-3 in 13 balls to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 8-182.

A 34-run stand between Tillakaratne Dilshan (37) and Malinga Bandara (11) hoisted the score beyond 200, before both were involved in horrible run-outs as Sri Lanka posted 221 in 47.4 overs.

Smith's career-best figures of 3-30 was the catalyst in the revival, while Shaun Pollock (2-17) troubled the entire order with a trademark spell of bowling.

Full scorecard available here.

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