SL VS RSA - 3rd ODI, South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 2021

It's been over 18 months since Sri Lanka last won an ODI series. And now finally the wait ends as the players celebrate with the trophy. Some much-needed points in the World Cup Super League as well for them. Before the series started they were 11th on the table, and have now jumped to 5th, although they've played six more games than South Africa who are in 9th place. The visitors never got to grips with the pitch today, making a chase of 203 look like a mountain to climb, eventually falling well short. That's all from this series. The T20Is follow. Until then it's goodbye.

Shanaka | Sri Lanka captain: Haven't won a series last few years. Boys played really good cricket. Lot more series win coming I feel. Winning the toss had an impact on the match. I thought 230 will be ideal on this pitch. We managed 200 but it's a good total on this wicket. He was trumpcard for us (Theekshana). He is more of a T20 bowler but I used him wisely in this match. Real prospect for us going forward.

Maharaj | South Africa captain: The bowlers did a really good job to restrict SL. Batting didn't go according to plan but full credit to SL. Don't think toss was a factor, thought it came on pretty well. If you look at the first two games, the approach, it was really pleasing. Lot of positives to take away from the series. Back to the drawing board in preparation for the T20 series. Will have a lot of seniors back from playing in the T20 leagues, hopefully will get the boost needed.

Asalanka | Player of the Series: Always nice to be man of the series in an international tournament. My first. Made a plan to work singles, enjoyed that. My role in the team is to bat longer. Were looking at 230-240. After Hasaranga got out I felt 210 was a good score on this pitch.

Chameera | Man of the Match: Wicket was a bit slow. I tried to consistently bowl good length which was a factor in my success. Have put in extra work on my fitness after the injuries.

21:38 Local Time, 16:08 GMT, 21:38 IST: The Sri Lankan celebrations at the end of the game show how much it means to them. A first ODI series win in 18 months for the Lions. The decision at the toss to bat first has proven to be right for Shanaka and his men. Maharaj his counterpart felt that the wicket wouldn't change too much as the day goes on but that hasn't been the case. Anyway the Sri Lankan spinners spun a web and were helped by a couple of wickets from Chameera at the top. The three early wickets set South Africa back and they didn't have a clue on how to handle the spinning-ball. Klaasen tried to disrupt the spinners with his unorthodox style of play, but he was done in by the debutant - Maheesh Theekshana with a lovely slider. Eventually 203 proved to be too many for the visitors. This is a young South African batting lineup and this series shows, still work needs to be done when it comes to playing spin in these conditions. Hang on for the presentation...

M Theekshana to Maharaj, out Caught by Chandimal!! Sri Lanka win and it's a four-fer for M Theekshana on his debut. He has impressed tonight. This carrom ball drifts in and then spins away a fraction, Maharaj gets a thin nick on the defence, Chandimal makes no mistake and straightaway everyone knew it. No need for a review. Clear edge. Maharaj c Chandimal b M Theekshana 15(17) [4s-2]

M Theekshana to Maharaj, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

M Theekshana to Maharaj, no run, tossed up outside off, goes the other way, defended to cover

M Theekshana to Maharaj, no run, tossed up on the middle and leg line, Maharaj gets the bat in front of the pad to defend

M Theekshana to Maharaj, no run, full outside off, pushed to cover off the front foot

M Theekshana to Maharaj, FOUR, beautiful shot. Tossed up offbreak, Maharaj gets forward and lifts it over mid-off. Holds the pose after hitting it. Against the spin - a quality shot

M Theekshana to Maharaj, no run, length ball turning in, Maharaj defends off the back foot

Hasaranga to Shamsi, no run, tossed up and Shamsi swings hard, gets a thick inside-edge onto pad, it lobs in front of him, but Chandimal can't get around and dive forward to try and catch that. Falls safely

Hasaranga to Shamsi, no run, another googly, Shamsi rocks back to cut and the extra bounce beats him outside off

Hasaranga to Shamsi, no run, the googly, on a shorter length, Shamsi stabs it to backward point

Hasaranga to Shamsi, no run, again lovely length on the legbreak, turns across Shamsi who defends with soft hands, that's why the edge doesn't carry to slip

Hasaranga to Shamsi, no run, not given as wide and that's because it has flicked the strap of the pad down leg

Hasaranga to Shamsi, no run, sharply turning leggie, Shamsi defends off the back foot

M Theekshana to Maharaj, no run, big slog to leg and it's off a thick inside-edge to short mid-wicket