Sri Lanka 228 for 8 (Sangakkara 77*, Atapattu 53) lost to South Africa 229 for 4 (McKenzie 70*) by six wickets
Scorecard

Every day, and in every way, next week's VB series between Australia, England and Sri Lanka is looking more and more of a mismatch. A matter of hours after England were blown away by a New South Wales team that would make worthy World Cup contenders, Sri Lanka were well beaten by a South African side that hardly needed to break sweat to seal a 4-1 series victory at Bloemfontein.

Monde Zondeki, South Africa's latest fast-bowling find, grabbed a wicket with his first ball in international cricket, and only an attritional 77 not out from Kumar Sangakkara enabled Sri Lanka to pass 200. Even without the resting Jacques Kallis, South Africa had no problems chasing the 229 they needed with six wickets and 29 balls to spare, as Neil McKenzie took charge with a decisive innings of 70 not out.

The match began under heavy cloud cover and, with more than a hint of drizzle in the air, it was something of a surprise when Sanath Jayasuriya opted to bat first. And sure enough, the floodlights had scarcely been turned on to lift the gloom when Jayasuriya was the first to fall, chopping Allan Donald's fifth ball into the hands of Jonty Rhodes at point (6 for 1).

Aravinda de Silva was sent in at No. 3, but with Shaun Pollock (10-4-23-2) bending the ball around corners, it was an unenviable promotion. De Silva's second ball jagged past his outside edge into the hands of Mark Boucher, and he was unluckily given out for his second duck in consecutive innings (7 for 2). It was also Pollock's 250th wicket in one-day internationals. Mahela Jayawardene fared little better, scratching around for 14 balls, before feathering a replica delivery, this time a genuine nick to Boucher. (48 for 3)

All the while, as he has done all series, Marvan Atapattu was playing with a freedom of expression he seldom shows – at least not until he is approaching a double century in Tests. While he was pushing boundaries for fun, Sri Lanka managed to maintain a healthy run-rate in the face of adversity. But then, in the 20th over, Pollock turned to Zondeki.

Zondeki's first ball was wide of off stump and nipped away a fraction as Atapattu aimed a flat-footed steer through the slips. Boucher, momentarily overcome by the occasion, fumbled a regulation chance, but Andrew Hall was alert enough to grasp the rebound one-handed. Atapattu was out for 53, from 63 balls, and at 84 for 4, Sri Lanka's innings stalled once again.

Sangakkara and Russel Arnold pushed and prodded to keep the innings on track, until Arnold (36) prodded once too often and gave Pollock a simple catch at slip off Hall (145 for 5), and though Thilan Samaraweera pushed the pace with a relatively quickfire 33, the innings dissolved in a bout of shambolic running.

South Africa's reply got off to a breakneck start, thanks to the inevitable figure of Herschelle Gibbs. He lost Hall for 18 in the eighth over (44 for 1), and Robin Peterson for 5 in the ninth (53 for 2), but it didn't stop him crashing the bowlers everywhere.

Gibbs had made 47 off 45 balls when he dragged on attempting to pull Chamila Gamage (87 for 3), but any hopes Sri Lanka had were snuffed out by a patient fourth-wicket partnership between McKenzie and Boeta Dippenaar. They added 88 in 23 overs before Dippenaar, who made 36, was run out by a direct hit from Atapattu at fine leg (175 for 4).

It was left to Rhodes to scurry South Africa to victory with an unbeaten 25 off 27 balls. The end, which came with a gentle single off Pulasthi Gunaratne, summed up the entire series: understated, but utterly emphatic.

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