Cricket Highlights, June 03: WC 2024 (Match 04) – Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Sri Lanka vs South Africa (Match 04) – Highlights

In this article, we will delve into the highlights of the South Africa vs Sri Lanka match in the T20 World Cup 2024, held on June 3. The cricketing world has just witnessed a thrilling encounter at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, where South Africa showcased their dominance with a commanding performance. 

South Africa’s bowlers, led by Anrich Nortje’s fiery spell, dismantled the Sri Lankan batting lineup, setting the stage for a low target chase. Despite a spirited effort from Sri Lanka, including a resilient seventh-wicket partnership, South Africa’s disciplined bowling and strategic batting secured them a decisive victory. The match concluded with Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller leading South Africa to triumph, highlighting their strength and determination in this T20 World Cup opener.

South Africa began their T20 World Cup campaign with a dominant performance, bowling Sri Lanka out for their lowest-ever T20I total and then chasing down 78 runs within 17 overs to secure a decisive win.

This match, held at the newly-constructed Eisenhower Park stadium, offered more insight into the challenging playing conditions than into the teams themselves. The pitch was difficult for batting, exhibiting inconsistent bounce and limited turn, and the large square boundaries proved hard to clear.

Sri Lanka, having opted to bat first, quickly found themselves on the defensive. They managed only 24 runs in the power play and reached their lowest ten-over score of 40 for 5. South Africa’s four-seam attack adapted swiftly to the conditions, bowling full and varying their pace effectively.

Anrich Nortje was the standout performer, delivering his career-best figures of 4 for 7, featuring high-class pace up to 150kph and skillful use of slower balls. He was ably supported by World Cup debutant Ottneil Baartman, who bowled 20 dot balls, tying the record for the most dot balls in a T20 World Cup innings, set by Ajantha Mendis against Zimbabwe in 2012.

Kamindu Mendis was his first victim, followed by Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and finally Angelo Mathews, all falling to his precise and powerful bowling. Nortje finished with remarkable figures of 4 for 7.

As a result of the collective effort by South Africa’s bowlers, only three Sri Lankan batters reached double figures, with the seventh-wicket partnership between Dasun Shanaka and Angelo Mathews being the only one worth more than 20 runs.

A slightly higher total could have posed a significant challenge for South Africa, but chasing 78 was within their reach. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller comfortably guided their team to victory with 22 balls remaining.

The match saw an extraordinary 127 dot balls out of 214, the highest number in a Men’s T20 World Cup game. Baartman’s journey to this point is a testament to perseverance. After years in domestic cricket with little recognition and considering a career in the South African National Defence Force, he became the leading wicket-taker in the SA20 until Marco Jansen overtook him in the final.

Aiden Markram, who captained South Africa to the Under-19 World Cup title in 2014, faced off against Angelo Mathews, a member of Sri Lanka’s 2014 T20 World Cup-winning team. Mathews controlled their encounter with precise length balls and found movement to trouble Markram.

Although Markram managed to take a single off the final delivery to spoil Mathews’ perfect over, Dasun Shanaka capitalized in the next over by dismissing Markram with a ball that seamed away and was caught by Kusal Mendis.

The game featured few boundaries, with only three fours and three sixes in Sri Lanka’s innings and the same from South Africa, creating an old-fashioned, tense match. Heinrich Klaasen, known for his boundary-hitting prowess, ended any remaining tension by hitting Wanindu Hasaranga for a six and a four, showcasing his powerful hitting. South Africa hopes to see more of this as the tournament progresses. For now, these efforts were sufficient to secure a convincing victory.

Sri Lanka vs South Africa Scoreboard

Sri Lanka – 77 (20.0)

South Africa – 80/4 (16.2)

Result – South Africa won by 6 wickets (with 22 balls remaining)

Player of the match – Anrich Nortje

Anrich Nortje