NEW DELHI: South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 102 Runs in a high scoring game of the ICC World Cup played in Delhi, India on Saturday. Sri Lanka batters were unable to sustain the pressure of the huge target set by South Africa despite a quick and furious inning of 76 on 42 balls by Kusal Mendis, followed by some quick-fire from Asalanka and Shanaka. No doubt it was the huge total from the proteas, including three brilliant hundreds from the side, that took the game away from the Lankans.
While chasing 429 to win, Sri Lanka remained under pressure from the very first over. The side lost its first wicket in the second over when Nissanka was bowled by Jansen for zero. The next opener, Parera also scored just seven runs, after which he was also removed by Jansen.
On the other hand, the number three batter, Kusal Mendis, produced some terrific blows and reached his half-century in just 26 balls while stirring the water to some extent. Due to Mendis’ accelerated innings, Sri Lankan batters completed the first 100 runs in just 12 overs. However, Protest managed to remove Mendis on 76 when the total reached 109 in 12.4 overs. With the dismissal of Mendis, the Sri Lankan batters came under pressure again as the side lost another wicket when Sadeera Samarawickrama got out on 23 runs. When the Sri Lankans reached 150 in 20 overs, they lost the fifth wicket of Dhananjaya de Silva, who scored just 11 runs. Meanwhile, number 5th batter Asalanka showed resistance from the other hand and put valuable runs to the scoreboard. He also completed his half-century. However, Asalanka’s super knock came to an end when he was caught at point on 79 while facing 65 balls. His inning included 8 boundaries and 4 sixes. With the addition of just one run Sri Lanka lost its 7th wicket when Wellalage was dismissed for zero. Meanwhile, the Skipper Shanaka stayed on the crease with some steady runs in the beginning, followed by a quick fire later. He also completed his half-century on 53 balls. At the time, Sri Lanka was 268 for 7 in the 37th over. However, Shanaka was also removed by Maharaj on 68 when the total reached 291 in the 40th over. After Shanaka, number nine batter Rajitha also played some good strokes (33 on 31 balls) to bring some improvement in the Lankan’s net run rate while taking his side beyond the 300 mark. However, the tail was unable to reach the huge total and was got out on 326 runs in 44 overs.
From South Africa, Gerald Coetzee got three wickets while conceding 68 runs. Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Keshav Maharaj took two wickets each, while Lungi Ngidi got one wicket.
South Africa Batting Against Sri Lanka
Earlier winning the toss, Sri Lanka chose to field first. The bowling side got an early wicket of the skipper and opener Bavuma, who scored just 8 runs. However, when the number three batter joined the opener, De Kock, both of the batters managed to stay on the crease for long and smashed Sri Lankan bowlers on all sides of the boundaries.
Both played superb innings and completed their centuries in style. De Kock smashed three sixes and 12 boundaries in his 100 runs inning while playing 108 balls. While Dussen hit 2 long sixes and 13 boundaries in his 108 runs. After the dismissal of both the centurions’ number four batter, Markram and Klaasen took charge of the inning with more power and high run rate. Klassen was removed by Rajitha on 32 while facing 20 balls; however, Markram was even more ruthless. He outclassed the Sri Lankan bowlers and completed his century on just 49 balls. He was the third batter to complete a hundred in a single inning to take his side to a huge total. He was removed by Madushanka on 106 runs on just 54 balls in the 48th over. However, at the time, South Africa reached a huge total of 383 for 5 with 17 deliveries left in the innings. At the end of the inning, David Miller (39) and Jensen (12) added some valuable runs to the total to take their side crossing the 400 mark. In 50 overs, South Africa built a total of 428 runs for 5 wickets. It was the highest score of any team in a World Cup event.
From the Sri Lankan side, Rajitha, Pathirana, and Wellalage took one wicket each, while Madushanka took two wickets. Pathirana was the most expensive bowler, who conceded 95 runs in his ten-over spill. In Bowling, it was not a good day for Sri Lankan pacers.
South Africa Squad:
Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock †, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi
Sri Lanka Squad:
Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis†, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka and Matheesha Pathirana
