Summary Sangakkara smashed six sixes and 18 boundaries in a career-best 169 against South Africa.
COLOMBO (AP) - Kumar Sangakkara smashed six sixes and 18 boundaries in a career-best 169 to propel Sri Lanka to a commanding 320-5 in the opening one-day international against South Africa on Saturday.
Sri Lanka lost opener Tillakaratne Dilshan with the total on 23 after being asked to bat by South Africa captain AB de Villiers.
Coming in at No. 3, the lefthanded Sangakkara took full advantage of some wayward bowling from the visitors for his 16th one-day century.
He proceeded to beat his previous best one-day score of 138 not out against India in 2005 and finished with the third highest ODI innings by a Sri Lankan after Sanath Jayasuriya s 189 and Upul Tharanga s 174 not out.
Sangakkara shared useful partnerships of 70 for the second wicket with Tharanga who made 43, and 74 with Mahela Jayawardene (42).
Sangakkara contributed 100 in a 84-ball stand of 123 with Lahiru Thirimanne (17) for the fourth wicket.
Fast bowler Morne Morkel stood out from his colleagues, returning the best bowling figures for South Africa with 2-34.
Other bowlers struggled to maintain direction as Sangakkara played aggressively and improvised using the bowlers pace for runs behind the wicket.
Fast bowler Chris Morris went for 80 runs in his nine overs while Ryan McLaren conceded 69 off his 10. Altogether, the South Africans bowled 15 wides.
There are five matches in the series.
