Overs 26 to 49.3

A key element was added to the game with the entry to the bowling crease of Robin Peterson, the left arm finger spinner Indian fans will probably remember seeing in the Champions Trophy's 2002 edition in Sri Lanka, and even in the 2004 Test series on Indian soil.

Since his debut in 2002 in the short form of the game, he has managed just 33 ODIs, that have yielded 16 wickets at an unimpressive 58.18 and a strike rate of a wicket every 74 deliveries or so. Not the sort of record to daunt the Sri Lankans - but from the moment Smith brought him on (his inclusion, in itself, was a clear indication of what the Proteas thought of this wicket), the bowler got enough sharp turn to have the Lankans in some discomfort.

In fact, so effective was Peterson in keeping things tight during the crucial middle overs, that Smith was tempted to bring himself on at the other end for a small spell, despite having five decent quick bowlers to do the job for him.

Turn or no, Peterson was helped by the fact that the Lankans, having lost five big wickets in the first half of the innings, were forced to play cautiously, in a bid to put runs on the board and get down to the business end before attempting any extravagance.

Picture: Robin Peterson (right) with Makhaya Ntini

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