INDIA: South Africa’s decisive 102-run victory over Sri Lanka served as a loud declaration of their entry into the ICC World Cup 2023. The Proteas hit the highest run ever at the ICC World Cup 2023 (428), and Sri Lanka was bundled out for 326 during the chase.
South Africa vs Sri Lanka
Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka worked together to get some runs. However, Lungi Ngidi removed Charith Asalanka to get the upper hand. Sri Lanka struggled to chase the mighty target but still managed to get to a score of 326.
The 429-run chase by the Sri Lankan openers got off to a sluggish start when Pathum Nissanka was eliminated by Marco Jansen. Kusal Mendis arrived in explosive form and smacked back-to-back sixes. He scored a gritty knock of 76 off just 42 balls, hitting 8 maximums and 4 fours.
Captain Shanaka played an important knock of 68, and Charith Asalanka also played a beautiful innings of 79 but was not able to take his team over the line. Some Sri Lankan batsmen got a start but could not convert it into a big score, which proved to be the nemesis.
Aiden Markram became the quickest batter to hit a century in ICC World Cup history, and South Africa became the first team to have three centuries in a World Cup game. This was also the highest total score by a team in ICC World Cup history.
Sri Lankan bowlers tried their best to stop the Proteas from reaching a humongous total but could not restrict courtesy of the three centuries scored by Quinton De Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram. Although they got the Proteas captain out early, but could not stop them from making history.
Matheesha Pathirana was the most expensive bowler of all, conceding 95 runs in his 10 overs. Madhushanka and Rajitha also conceded 86 and 90 runs respectively. On the other hand, South African bowlers bowled well, with Gerald Coetzee being the thick of the bowlers, piling three wickets in his bag. Maharaj, Rabada and Ngidi got two wickets each to restrict Sri Lanka.
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