Sri Lanka have an impressive record when it comes to the ICC tournaments. On the other hand, the South African are nowhere close to the Lankans in that respect. However, in the first quarterfinals of the World Cup at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday, South Africa took giant steps to reduce Sri Lanka to a low score of 133. They were all out in 37.1 overs.
Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first. But their decision misfired as South Africa’s bowling department made merry. After the fast bowlers did the initial damages, the South African spinners run through the Lanka middle-order with a vengeance.
Leg-spinner Imran Tahir emerged as the best bowler for South Africa. It was a one-sided battle. There was a bit of resistance from in-form Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne, but South Africa were in no mood let the opposition off the hook.
Sri Lanka were off to slow start from the very beginning and after losing two early wickets. Both the openers — Kusal Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan were back in the pavilion in no time. Then, the middle-order couldn’t stand tall in front of South Africa.
Sri Lanka kept losing wickets. The likes of Sangakkara and Thirimanne tried to repair the Lankan innings, but it was too late to do anything substantial. There was a bit of rain towards the fag end of the Lankan innings, but that had no impact on the Lankan innings.
For South Africa, the three fast bowlers got a wicket apiece. Without the fifth bowler, they used JP Duminy, the part-timer, who took three crucial wickets and finished with a hattrick. He also become the first Proteas to take a World Cup hattrick.
But the best bowler for South Africa was Tahir. He bowled a perfect line and length. His spinner was lethal in certain occasions. Despite having a reputation of playing well against spinner, the Lankans batsmen were clueless in front of the South African spin duo.
