South Africa opened their World Cup 2023 campaign in style with a comprehensive win over Sri Lanka. South Africa won the match by 102 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. Here is a recap of the second innings.
Kusal Mendis demolishes South African bowlers
Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen opened the proceedings for South Africa while Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera opened the batting for Sri Lanka. Jansen with just his first ball in the World Cup dismissed in the Nissanka in the second over. At number three, Kusal Mendis walked in. It was a pure hard-hitting masterclass from that point forward. Mendis and Perera shared a 66-run stand for the second wicket. When that partnership crossed the 50-run Perera had made no contribution such was the hitting from Mendis. They went on to share a 66-run stand with Perera contributing just 7 runs. Jansen dismissed Perera just before the powerplay in the eighth over. Mendis was dismissed after scoring 76 runs in 42 balls hitting four fours and eight sixes.
South African bowlers bring the match in their grip
Kagiso Rabada dismissed Mendis in the 13th over. Mendis was trying to cut the short-pitched delivery from Rabada but the ball took a thick outside edge straight to the keeper. Sadeera Samarawickrama could not make much difference and was dismissed in the next over by Gerald Coetzee. Samarawickrama scored 23 runs in 19 balls hitting three fours and one six. Dhananjaya de Silva was dismissed courtesy of a good catch from sub-fielder, Andile Phehlukwayo. De Silva scored 14 runs in his short stay of 11 balls hitting one four.
Charith Asalanka and skipper, Dasun Shanaka then shared a 82-run stand where Asalanka played the aggressive role. During the partnership, Asalanka scored 52 runs in just 37 balls while Shanaka scored 24 runs in 35 balls. Lungi Ngidi then broke the partnership in the 32nd over by dismissing Asalanka. It was a slower ball outside off which brought upon Asalanka’s dismissal. The Sri Lankan batter had scored 79 runs in 65 balls hitting eight fours and four sixes. Just three balls later, Coetzee dismissed Dunith Wellalage for a golden duck. With no recognised batters left on the other end, Shanaka started to take the attack on South African bowlers. During his partnership with Kasun Rajitha, Shanaka scored 43 runs in just 26 balls. He smashed four fours and one six in the 37th over bowled by Coetzee. Shanaka was then clean bowled by Keshav Maharaj. Shanaka scored 68 runs in 62 balls hitting six fours and three sixes.
