ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 9 wickets
In a game of complete dominance at Sydney today, South Africa went through to semifinal of the World Cup 2015 thrashing Sri Lanka by nine wickets in a low scoring match.
For Sri Lanka, apparently their worst nightmare came to life with nothing clicking right for them – the team selection, surprise opener, Kumar Sangakkara and their strategy.
Choosing to bat first, Sri Lanka were bundled out to 133 – spearheaded by fast bowling and ravaged by spin. Lahiru Thirimanne, 41, and an unbelievably sluggish innings of Kumar Sangakkara, 45 from 96 balls, were the only resistance against the Proteas attack.
Imran Tahir was at the peak of the bowlers with four wickets. JP Duminy claimed a hat-trick – the first for South Africa in a World Cup match. Kyle Abbott, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel claimed one wicket apiece.
Coming to bat, South Africa chased down the total comfortably, riding on a fifty from their out-of-form batsman Quinton de Kock, losing a lone wicket with 32 overs to spare.
Sri Lanka Team
Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews (C), Thisara Perara, Tharindu Kaushal, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera
South Africa Team
Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (C), JP Duminy, David Miller, Rilee Russouw, Kyle Abbott, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir
-With The Daily Star input
