Sangakkara helps Sri Lanka to consolation

A Kumar Sangakkara century led Sri Lanka to a two-wicket win over South Africa with a ball to spare in the fifth and final one-day international, in Johannesburg yesterday.

Centuries from Graeme Smith, (125) and captain AB de Villiers (125 not out) led South Africa to an imposing total of 312 for 4 when they batted first. But Sangakkara (102) and Lahiru Thirimanne (69) put on 100 and Sachithra Senanayake smashed a six to seal a breathless win for the tourists with one ball remaining.

Sri Lanka, who are reportedly set to replace their coach, Geoff Marsh, with Graham Ford, lost the series 3-2.