The spectators at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi received their money’s worth on Saturday as South Africa trumped Sri Lanka by 102 runs in a run-fest. It was a high-scoring encounter which was decorated with a total of more than 750 runs. Three centuries were scored by Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram helping the Proteas record the highest-ever total in ODI World Cup history. A brilliant batting display from Kusal Mendis went in vain as the fans in the capital returned home having been treated to a game which saw plenty of records being scripted.
The Asian side conceded a record total of 428/5 in 50 overs against the Proteas with Quinton, Van der Dussen and Markram notching up individual tons for the side. Markam smashed the fastest-ever century in World Cup history before falling for a score of 106 off 54 balls.
Riding high on the confidence of their record-breaking batting performance, the South African team was expected to wrap up the fixture quickly. But Sri Lanka and especially Kusal Mendis had other plans.
ALSO READ| South Africa Tee Off in Record Style at the Kotla
Facing a daunting total of 429 to chance, the task got all the more difficult when Marco Jansen sent Pathum Nissanka back to the dugout in the second over itself and opener Kusal Perera was joined by Mendis in the middle.
Without wasting any time, Mendis began to unleash wrath on South Africa, giving them a taste of their own medicine. The right-handed batter smashed three maximums in one over of Lungi Ngidi. The pacer bowled one full delivery onto his pads and Mendis whipped it for a six over fine leg.
Ngidi later bowled a length delivery on the middle stump and Mendis didn’t shy away from repeating the stroke again. The final ball of this over too sailed over the ropes after the right-arm bowler bowled a half volley on the batter’s pads and he hit it over long leg.
Mendis’ fifty came in just 25 balls, he was in such a good touch that the Sri Lankan batter recorded his half-century, while his partner Perera was yet to get off the mark.
ALSO READ| SA vs SL: Aiden Markram Smashes Fastest Hundred in ODI World Cup History, Breaks 12-year-old Record
There was an air of excitement as Mendis seemed destined to break Markram’s record by smashing the fastest century in the ODI World Cup himself, but Marco Jansen had other ideas.
The 28-year-old was eventually undone by Rabada after getting caught by Klaasen for 76 off 42.
Despite Mendis’ departure, Sri Lanka batters continued to frustrate the South African bowlers, Charith Asalanka and later skipper Dasun Shanaka also scored individual half-centuries. The duo tried their best to keep Sri Lanka in the chase but having been reduced to 150/5, it seemed like mission impossible.
While Asalanka scored 79 off 65, Shanaka struck 68 off 62 the pair would be happy with their batting performances and if not for their late lusty blows, Sri Lanka’s net run rate would have dipped even further.
The signs were clear from Sri Lanka that they wanted to bat right till the end and put up a fight. While there were three fifties from the Lankan camp, Kasun Rajitha too showed some mettle with the bat and ended up getting 33 off 31.
ALSO READ| India vs Pakistan: 14,000 Tickets For ODI World Cup Game at Ahmedabad up for Grabs From October 8
Sri Lanka eventually managed to cross the 300-run mark during the chase but couldn’t really go over the line. The moment three Lankan bowlers conceded more than 80 runs, while two of their bowlers were decked for 90 runs, it was always going to be difficult for them to make a comeback in the match.
The Proteas bowlers were made to work hard but they all reaped rewards having picked up at least a wicket each, as they restricted the Lankan Lions to a total of 326 runs.
Shanaka’s men have now lost four games on the trot, things can change very quickly in cricket, in August they had recorded 13 successive wins, bowling out their opposition in all of those games, but now after their latest defeat, Sri Lanka are staring down the barrel.
(South Africa 428/5, Rassie van der Dussen 108 off 110 balls, Aiden Markram 106 off 54 balls, Dilshan Madushanka 2/86. Sri Lanka 326/10, Charith Asalanka 79 off 65 balls, Kusal Mendis 76 off 42, Gerald Coetzee 3/68.)
Comments
0 comment