ICC World Cup 2019: South Africa vs Sri Lanka Match Report

Avishka Fernando, Chris Morris, Cricket News, CWC 2019, Dwaine Pretorius, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC World Cup, Lasith Malinga, South Africa Cricket Team, Sri Lanka Cricket Team, Team South Africa, Team Sri Lanka, World Cup, World Cup 2019 June 29, 2019February 25, 20204 years ago

World Cup 2019, South Africa vs Sri Lanka: South Africa thrash Sri Lanka by 9 wickets, thus denting Sri Lanka’s semi-final qualification chances.

MATCH 35: SOUTH AFRICA VS SRI LANKA SCORECARD

South Africa: 206-1 in 37.2 overs | Won by 9 wickets

Faf du Plessis: 96*(103) | Hashim Amla: 80*(105) | Lasith Malinga: 1-47

Sri Lanka: 203-10 in 49.3 overs

Avishka Fernando: 30(29) | Dwaine Pretorius: 3-25 | Chris Morris: 3-46

Player of the Match: Dwaine Pretorius

MATCH SUMMARY:

World Cup 2019, South Africa vs Sri Lanka: Things finally fall in place for South Africa as Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, and Dwaine Pretorius inspire South Africa to a thumping win over Sri Lanka.

It is said that ‘it is better late than never’, but in the case of South Africa, even the better arrival has been a rather too late.

Only if they had worked on their mistakes a few matches back, they would have had a shot at the Semi-final spot because a win now is more associated with them maintaining their pride.

Nevertheless, South Africa have finally got their act together as they looked fantastic in all the three departments, viz. bowling, fielding and batting.

Sri Lanka, however, were barely any good on the field. Except for their play in the first 10 overs, Sri Lankan batsmen barely managed to trouble the South African bowlers.

After being 67-1 in 9.4 overs, Sri Lankan middle-order showed no signs of responsibility as they could only manage 203 on the board.

For South Africa, Dwaine Pretorius bowled a lethal spell of 3-25 in 10 overs, while Kagiso Rabada and Chris Morris pitched in with few wickets.

THE CHASE

While 204 isn’t a total to get worried about, anything would have been possible considering South Africa’s record of run chases this World Cup.

However, South Africa, who have been a horrible batting side this World Cup finally managed to get their act together as a struggling, Hashim Amla and captain, Faf du Plessis played sensible knocks of 80*(105) and 96*(103) respectively.

Courtesy to these superb knocks, South Africa managed to defeat Sri Lanka in the 38^th over itself with 9 wickets in hand. Surprisingly, 96 and 80 are South Africa’s top 2 scores this tournament.

With this win, South Africa managed to maintain their pride. However, Sri Lanka’s semi-final fate looks gloomy, and it now lies in the hands of other teams.

WHAT WENT WRONG FOR SRI LANKA?

The middle-order let them down once again after a superb start.
Senior pros, Angelo Mathews and Kusal Perera failed to take the responsibility to build the innings.
The bowling looked Sharpless for Sri Lanka as South Africa structured the chase with ease.