Sri Lanka whip South Africa by seven wickets 

DAMBULLA: Kumar Sangakkara and Avishka Gunawardene slammed impressive half-centuries to help an under-strength Sri Lanka crush South Africa by seven wickets in the fourth One-Day International on Saturday.

Sangakkara scored an unbeaten 74 and Gunawardene 52 as Sri Lanka surpassed South Africa's total of 235 for seven with 23 balls to spare for a 4-0 lead in the five-match series.

Sri Lanka rested front-line bowlers Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa and Rangana Herath along with captain Marvan Atapattu but still proved too strong for South Africa who suffered their ninth successive defeat, including five in New Zealand early this year.

"It's a nightmare for all of us," said South African skipper Graeme Smith.

"It looks as if two different teams are playing. When we bat we struggle, but when they bat it looks so easy. We just could not keep pressure on them as we kept losing wickets at regular intervals."

Sri Lanka never looked under pressure as they batted confidently after the cheap dismissal of opener Sanath Jayasuriya, caught short of the crease by a Smith throw to wicket-keeper Mark Boucher while going for a risky single.

Gunawardene steadied the innings with a 59-run stand for the second wicket with Saman Jayantha (46) before man-of-the-match Sangakkara finished the job with a 98-run partnership for the unfinished fourth wicket with stand-in captain Mahela Jayawardene (48 not out).

Gunawardene struck seven fours in his 11th half-century and Sangakkara six boundaries in his 16th.

"I took a gamble by putting them in to bat after winning the toss, but our bowlers did a tremendous job," said Jayawardene.

"Sangakkara and I enjoy batting together. We complement each other. The guys who came into the side played very well even though they were a bit nervous."

Earlier, South Africa lost their way in the middle overs after a brisk start before Shaun Pollock slammed an unbeaten half-century under pressure to prop up the innings.

South Africa scored 49 in the last five overs after being put in to bat on a slow turner, thanks to Pollock's 52 not out for his ninth half-century.

Pollock helped his team overcome its mid-innings hiccups with a timely knock which contained a pulled six off spinner Upul Chandana.

South Africa were strongly placed at 113 for two before faltering against Sri Lankan spinners, losing three wickets in the space of two runs.

Leg-spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi triggered the mini collapse when he dismissed Smith (46) and Jean-Paul Duminy for nought in the same over to reduce the tourists to 115 for five.

Pollock then came to his team's rescue, steadying the innings with a 64-run stand for the sixth wicket with Mark Boucher (27).

South Africa were off to a brisk start as they raced to 61 in less than 11 overs, but lost Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis in the process.