Opener Hashim Amla smashed 109 off 130 balls to steer South Africa to a formidable 304-5 in the first one-day international against Sri Lanka on Sunday.
Amla, 31, shared a 151-run stand for the third wicket with skipper AB de Villiers (75) after the visitors won the toss and chose to bat at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Unorthdox spinner Ajantha Mendis was the most successful of the bowlers, taking 3-61 including the prized scalp of star all-rounder Jacques Kallis for a duck.
The South Africans got off to a steady start, putting on 58 before losing two batsmen in quick succession.
Opener Quinton de Kock was bowled by Angelo Mathews (1-30) for 27 which included a mighty six over the mid-wicket fence off spinner Sachithra Senanayake (1-49).
Amla completed his 13th ODI century before being trapped in front of the middle stump off Mendis. He hit eight fours and a six.
