ICC T20 WC 2024: South Africa defeat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets

Anrich Nortje’s outstanding bowling performance and some solid batting by South Africa led to their victory over Sri Lanka in the fourth match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 at the Nassau International Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Chasing a modest total of 78 runs, South Africa did not have an ideal start, losing opener Reez Hendricks in the second over. Hendricks was dismissed after scoring 4 runs off 2 balls, bowled by Nuwan Thushara.

Following the early wicket, Proteas skipper Aiden Markram came out to bat. However, Markram was sent back to the pavilion after scoring just 12 runs off 14 balls, including one six. He was dismissed at a score of 23 by Dasun Shanaka in the fifth over.

The team reached fifty in 10.3 overs as Quinton de Kock took a double off leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. In the same over, South Africa lost the wicket of De Kock, who scored 20 runs off 27 balls with one six.

In the 13th over, South Africa lost their fourth wicket when Tristan Stubbs was dismissed after scoring 13 runs off 28 balls. After 13 overs, South Africa stood at 58/4 with David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen in the middle. They chased down the total in 16.2 overs with six wickets in hand.

Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, taking two wickets for 22 runs in 3.2 overs. Thushara and Shanaka each took one wicket in their respective spells.

Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, Sri Lanka had a poor start. Pathum Nissanka’s struggles continued as he was caught behind by Heinrich Klaasen off Ottneil Baartman for just three runs in eight balls, leaving Sri Lanka at 13/1 in 3.1 overs.

Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis tried to rebuild the innings, but the slow outfield and tricky surface, coupled with the South African pace attack of Baartman, Nortje, and Kagiso Rabada, applied severe pressure.

At the end of the powerplay, Sri Lanka were 24/1 with Kusal (11*) and Kamindu (7*) unbeaten. The pressure strategy paid off when Kamindu was caught by Reeza Hendricks near the boundary off Nortje for 11 runs. Sri Lanka were 31/2 in 7.5 overs.

Before the first half of the innings concluded, Keshav Maharaj spun a web around Sri Lanka, dismissing skipper Wanindu Hasaranga and Sadeera Samarawickrama for ducks. Nortje continued his rhythm, removing Kusal Mendis for 19 runs, caught by Tristan Stubbs at deep square leg. Sri Lanka struggled at 40/5 in 10 overs.

Nortje claimed his third wicket by dismissing Charith Asalanka for six runs. Angelo Mathews hit a six to take Sri Lanka to the 50-run mark in 12.5 overs. A brief 23-run partnership between Mathews and Dasun Shanaka ended with Rabada dismissing Shanaka for nine runs. Sri Lanka were 68/7 in 14.4 overs.

Mathews’ knock ended as he was caught by Baartman off Nortje for 16 runs, marking Nortje’s fourth wicket. Rabada then took his second wicket, catching Matheesha Pathirana’s top edge, and Nuwan Thusara was run out by Marco Jansen and Nortje, concluding Sri Lanka’s innings at 77 runs in 19.1 overs.

Nortje was the standout bowler for South Africa, taking four wickets for just seven runs in his four overs. Rabada (2/21) and Maharaj (2/22) also performed well, with Baartman contributing a wicket.