South Africa registered a resounding nine-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their match of the ICC World Cup Cricket at Chester-le-Street in England on Friday.
It was the first victory for the Proteas in this World Cup.
Chasing Sri Lanka’s modest total of 203 runs off 49.3 overs, South Africa romped home making 206 for the loss of one wicket when they had 76 balls to spare.
South Africa made a shaky start as opener Quinton de Kock (15) was cleanly bowled out by a yorker of wizard pacer Lasith Malinga when South Africa’s total was 31.
Then opener Hasim Amla and one-dawn Faf du Plessis guided their team to reach the winning spot contributing together 175 runs for the unbroken second wicket partnership.
Faf du Plessis remained unbeaten with 96. His 103-ball innings saw 10 fours
and a sixer, while Hashim Amla remained unbeaten with 80. Amla’s 105-ball knock had five fours.
Lasith Malinga took one wicket conceding 47 runs.
Earlier, Sri Lanka had a poor start as opener Dimuth Karunaratne (0) was caught at the first slip by Faf du Plessis off Kagiso Rabada when Sri Lanka’s score was naught.
Then Kusal Perera and Avishka Fernando repaired the damage adding together 67 runs for the second wicket partnership before Farnendo was caught at the mid-off by Faf du Plessis off Dwaine Pretorius when Sri Lanka’s total was 67 for the loss of two wickets.
Fernando made 30 from 29 balls featuring four fours.
Opener Kusal Perera was bowled out by Dwaine Pretorius when Sri Lanka’s score was 72 for the loss of three wickets.
Kusal Perera hit 30 from 34 balls with four shots across the ropes.
After dismissal of Kusal Perera, Sri Lanka failed to make any notable partnership against the tight and controlled bowling attack of South Africa.
Third-down Angelo Mathews (11) was bowled by CH Morris when the team’s total was 100 for the loss of four wickets.
Second-down Kusal Mendis ( 23) was caught at the extra cover by Morris off Pretorius when the islanders’ score was 111 for the loss of five wickets.
Fourth-down Dhananjaya de Silva ( 24) was bowled out by JP Duminy when Sri Lanka’s score was 135 for the loss of six wickets.
Fifth-down Jeevan Mendis (18) was caught at the fine leg by Pretorius off Morris when Sri Lanka’s total was 163 for the loss of seven wickets.
Sixth-down Thisara Perera (21) was caught at the deep square leg by Kagiso Rabada off Andile Phehlukwayo when Sri Lanka’s score was 184 for the loss of eight wickets.
Number-Nine batsman Isuru Udana (17) was caught and bowled by Kagiso Rabada when Sri Lanka’s total was 197 for the loss of nine wickets.
Lasith Malinga (4) was caught at the mid-off by Faf du Plessis off Morris when Sri Lanka’s innings came to an end.
Pretorius and Morris grabbed three wickets each at the cost of 25 and 46 runs respectively, while Kagiso Rabada bagged a couple of wickets instead of 26 runs.
Besides, JP Duminy and Phehlukwayo took one wicket each for 15 and 38 runs respectively.
Dwaine Pretorius was adjudged the Man of the Match.
