MArvan Atapattu

Skipper Marvan Atapattu lead his team's victory charge with a stylish innings of 98 not out off 141 balls. He controlled the chase and not only won the match for his team, but claimed the series 3-0.

Veteran seamer Chaminda Vaas also chipped in with an invaluable 16 off 17 deliveries at the death.

South Africa began well, with immaculate line and length from Shaun Pollock and an early strike from swing-bowler Alan Dawson. Avishka Gunawardene was trapped lbw in the fourth over and departed for five, leaving the hosts at 7/1.

Shaun Pollock became only the second cricketer in ODI history to score 2000 runs and take 300 wickets, when he had Sanath Jayasuriya caught at point. The first man to do it was Pakistan strike bowler Wasim Akram.

Kumar Sangakkara flattered to deceive with a quick 14. He was beaten in the flight by spinner Nicky Boje, when he tried to give the spinner the charge and was stumped.

Atapattu kept the pressure on the South Africans with a couple of brave drives on-the-up that reached the fence. He found an able partner in Mahela Jayawardene (21) and the two right-handers threatened to shut South Africa out of the game.

Smith, however, had another trick up his sleeve, and he tossed the ball to part-time off-spinner Jean-Paul Duminy.

The 20-year-old did the trick for his captain by getting one to rip through Jayawardene's defence and knock back the off-stump.

Duminy bowled in tandem with a fired-up Lance Klusener, as South Africa went in search of the impossible. Klusener rolled back the years with immaculate swing bowling and a fierceness of purpose that was remarkable to behold.

He clean bowled Tillakaratne Dilshan and had Upul Chandana caught. However, just when the game looked to be slipping from Sri Lanka's grasp, Atapattu stepped to the fore. He risked two big drives off Klusener, found the middle of the bat and thus the boundary and settled the result.

Atapattu was deservedly named the man of the match for his batting and astute captaincy. Klusener was the most successful bowler for the South Africans, with the impressive figures of 2/36 from nine overs.