ICC World Cup 2019 match No 35 Played at Chester le Street on 28 June
South Africa VsSrl Lanka
Brief Score Card:
South Africa 206/1 in 34.2 Overs (Faf du Plessis 96*, H Amla 80*) beat Sri Lanka 203 All Out in 49.3 Overs
(MDKJ Perera 30, WA Fernando 30, DM de Silva24, BKG Mendis 23, NLTC Perera 21, D Pretorious 3/25, C Morris 3/46, K Rabada 2/36) by 9 wickets
Player Of the Match: Dwaine Pretorious
In a must win game to keep their semi final dream alive Sri Lanka got blown away by South Africa already drowned in its endeavor in World Cup 2019. The dreams of the Lankans were devastated by Protean at long last firing in all cylinders.
Batting first Sri Lanka was bruised, battered and humiliated getting bundled out for only 203 in 49.3 overs. Riding on dynamic unbeaten 2nd wicket partnership of 175 between veteran HashimAmla (80*) and F du Plessis (96*) South Africa cruised across Lankans by 9 wickets. Mission 2019 of South Africa was all but over before the match with only 3 points from 7 matches. They played for pride. On the other hand Lankan dream was alive with 6 points from 6 matches.
They in fact unlocked the opportunities for few teams including them with a brilliant win over host England This loss effectively dashed the dream of Sri Lanka. They join Afghanistan, West Indies, South Africa for early returning home. With the present top four Australia, New Zealand, India and England the battle would be restricted between Bangladesh and Pakistan only.
Sun was shining on a bright day. South Africa opted to field after winning the toss. South Africa came to World Cup 2019 with high expectation for shrugging off their Choker tag. But they delivered little. Their path to Semi Final was already barricaded losing 5 of their previous 7 matches. They won against Afghanistan and had another point from a rain ruined match. On the other hand Sri Lanka winning two and getting two more points from Pakistan and Bangladesh rain ruined matched were favorably placed with 6 points from 6 matches. Their win over one of the tournament’s favorite England in fact created excitement in the tournament. On the otherhand South Africa had lot to prove.
Rabada struck deadly blow with his very first ball removing in form captain Karunaratne . From there on young WA Fernando (30) and MDKJ Perera (30) almost brought the team to contention with fighting 67 runs 2nd wicket partnership South African medium pacer Pretorious removed both of them in quick succession turning the tide in favor of South Africa. There were no more partnership of significance as South African pacers Morris, Rabada and Pretorious kept on taking wickets at regular interval and the fielding was characteristically sharp. DM de Silva (24) and BKJ Mendis (23) got start but could not carry on. Pretorious (3/25) , C Morris (3/46) and Rabda (2/36) did not let any Sri Lankan batsmen settle for a large score . 203 on not too difficult wicket appeared a cake walk for South Africans.
Sri Lankan hope their magic veteran Malinga . He had Q de Kock yorked early. But seasoned professionals HashimAmla and Faf du Plessis producing the brilliant form at last took the team across with an unbroken 175 runs 2nd wicket partnership. HashimAmla struggling for his form through out the tournament remained not out 80. More enterprising du Plessis was unbeaten on 96. South Africa finally salvaged some pride flattening Sri Lanka by 9 wickets defeat. South African rule over Sri Lankan of recent times continued.
The outcome of this match ensured that Afghanistan, South Africa , West Indies and Sri Lanka would definitely fly home early . The battle for top four would now be restricted between the other six teams with only reigning champions Australia confirming its position so far. Bangladesh and Pakistan remain the only other sides having genuine possibility of off setting one of the four teams placed higher in the table.
Pretorious for his quality bowling was adjudged player of the match. Many thought in yesterdays Indian win over West Indies Mohammad Shami should have been preferred over Kohli for player of the match.
BDST: 1000 HRS, JUEN 29, 2019
AH
