There were high expectations surrounding the match between the two major teams. Fans were waiting for a thrilling encounter.
However, Enrich Nortje dashed those hopes. When the opponent is bowled out for just 77 runs, a victory might be possible, but there is no competition. South Africa started the tournament with a big win.
In the second match of the day on Monday in Guyana, South Africa faced Sri Lanka. Batting first, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 77 runs in 19.1 overs by the fierce bowling of Nortje and Rabada. In reply, South Africa reached the target in 16.2 overs.
Winning the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka collapsed right from the start. On the drop-in pitch in New York, the Protea bowlers didn’t let Sri Lanka settle. Sri Lanka lost opener Pathum Nissanka early, who returned scoring just 3 runs.
Although they didn’t lose any more wickets during the powerplay, runs were hard to come by. Another opener, Kusal Mendis, scored the highest with 19 runs. Kamindu Mendis, who came in at number three, scored 11 runs. Only Angelo Mathews managed to reach double digits, scoring 16 runs.
Wanindu Hasaranga and Sadeera Samarawickrama couldn’t open their accounts. In the end, Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara were dismissed without scoring. Among the others, Charith Asalanka scored 6 runs, Dasun Shanaka 9, and Maheesh Theekshana 7.
Protea pacer Enrich Nortje was the most destructive, taking 4 wickets for 7 runs in 4 overs. Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj took 2 wickets each. The other wicket was taken by Ottniel Baartman.
With such a small total, there wasn’t much left to do to win the match. However, the Sri Lankan bowlers tried. They dismissed Reeza Hendricks (4) in the second over, thanks to Thushara. Aiden Markram, the Protea captain, was also dismissed for 12 runs by Shanaka at 4.2 overs.
Quinton de Kock couldn’t extend his innings either. He returned scoring 20 runs off 27 balls. Tristan Stubbs couldn’t be a reliable partner, getting out for 13 runs off 28 balls, just 20 runs away from victory. Both of them were dismissed by Hasaranga.
However, Heinrich Klassen ensured there were no further dangers, securing the win with David Miller. Klassen remained unbeaten on 19 runs off 22 balls, while Miller scored 6 runs.
