Anrich Nortje demolished Sri Lanka with career-best figures of 4/7 as South Africa exploited the bounce on provide to safe a six-wicket win of their T20 World Cup opener right here on Monday.
At a venue the place India will play three of its 4 Group A league matches, Sri Lanka’s choice to bat first backfired.
Nortje, Kagiso Rabada (2/21) and Keshav Maharaj (2/22) mixed to take eight wickets in a dominant bowling efficiency as Sri Lanka folded up for 77 in 19.1 overs, its lowest T20 whole.
HIGHLIGHTS | SRI LANKA VS SOUTH AFRICA T20 WORLD CUP 2024
However it was not a stroll within the park for South Africa within the difficult situations of Nassau Stadium because the Proteas needed to sweat it out after Sri Lanka diminished them to 27/2 contained in the powerplay.
Sri Lankan wrist spinner Wanindu Hasaranga led their bowling present along with his 2/17 from three overs, taking the wickets of Quinton De Kock (20) and Tristan Stubbs (13) in successive overs.
However the lack of scoreboard stress meant South Africa knocked off the goal in 16.2 overs to get a significant enhance to its internet run-rate.
South Africa now has two factors with an NRR of 1.048 to guide the Group D standings. Bangladesh, Nepal and the Netherlands are the opposite groups within the group.
South Africa’s Anrich Nortje, proper, celebrates with teammate Keshav Maharaj.
| Photograph Credit score:
PTI
South Africa’s Anrich Nortje, proper, celebrates with teammate Keshav Maharaj.
| Photograph Credit score:
PTI
The in-form Heinrich Klaasen smashed Hasaranga for a large six over long-on and adopted it up with a straight boundary to convey up 11 runs within the fifteenth over and just about kill the competition.
Nuwan Thusara drew the primary blood for Sri Lanka within the second over when he induced an out of doors edge from Reeza Hendricks with an outswinger.
Mathews then gave Aiden Markram a tricky time and likewise hit the South African skipper awkwardly within the stomach area which required some medical consideration.
A spectacular six by means of covers from Markram broke the shackles however he was out the subsequent over from Dasun Shanaka with Kamindu Mendis pulling off a surprising catch at slip.
Nortje bowled full tilt to guide the four-pronged tempo assault and bettered his earlier finest T20 figures of 4/10.
Kagiso Rabada returned with 2/21, whereas wily left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj additionally relished the situations to finish up with 2/22.
The drop-in pitch on the Nassau County Worldwide Cricket Stadium proved to be a nightmare for the Lankan batters who struggled to time the ball whereas the outfield too was gradual.
The Proteas assault, alternatively, revelled within the pleasant situations, starting with a first-ball wicket for Ottneil Baartman who returned with outstanding figures of 1/9 on his World Cup debut.
SA received by six wickets.
| Photograph Credit score:
PTI
SA received by six wickets.
| Photograph Credit score:
PTI
The rookie pacer hit the deck onerous and induced an edge off Pathum Nissanka (3) from a fullish supply that swung away and likewise had some bounce.
Nortje was quick and livid and likewise obtained a wicket off his first over when Kamindu Mendis mistimed a pull to make it 31/2 inside eight overs.
There was additionally assist for spinners, as Maharaj struck twice in successive deliveries, dismissing skipper Wanindu Hasaranga and Sadeera Samarawickrama.
Half of the facet was again within the hut on the halfway mark with Nortje taking his second after Kusal Mendis mistimed a pull.
Veteran Angelo Mathews appeared most comfy and made a 16-ball 16 earlier than Nortje dismissed him for his fourth scalp.
Nuwan Thushara’s run-out ended their innings in 19.1 overs.