At the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Monday, June 3, South Africa defeated a fortunate Sri Lankan team, but their victory was not very impressive.
Also read: T20 World Cup 2024: SL vs. SA: Who said what?
Unexpectedly, Wanindu Hasaranga, the captain of Sri Lanka, chose to bat first after winning the toss in the recently constructed stadium. The leg-spinner with talisman qualities indicated that the Lankan Lions aimed to score well. They lost the wicket of the extremely talented Pathum Nissanka, though, and had a dismal powerplay, scoring only 24 runs. With very tactful play, Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mendis put together an 18-run partnership off of 28 balls. The previous champions were bowled out for 77 with five balls remaining in the innings after falling to 31/1 in 7.4 overs.
With statistics of 1/9 in his four overs, Ottniel Baartman bowled an outstanding spell during his World Cup debut. With his very first ball, he managed to take Nissanka’s wicket. Anrich Nortje was the best bowler; however, Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada each took two wickets. Even if his Indian Premier League (IPL) season was underwhelming, the tearaway speedster nonetheless performed admirably for his nation. In his four overs, he claimed four wickets and gave up just seven runs.
With attritional cricket, South Africa potters to victory
Many would have anticipated the Proteas to come out firing and finish the game quickly, especially since they were chasing a meagre goal of 78. But because Sri Lankan bowlers didn’t give them many opportunities to win, they had to work hard to win. The pitch’s two-paced bounce and fluctuating pace made it challenging to bat on as well.
In the second over, Nuwan Thushara struck, bowling Reeza Hendricks out for four. Dasun Shanaka, who bowled three overs and gave up just six runs, removed captain Aiden Markram in the fifth over. Quinton de Kock scored 20 runs off of 27 balls in an atypically plodding performance. In his opening over, Hasaranga defeated the more seasoned batter. Hasaranga dismissed Tristan Stubbs with 20 runs left in the 13th over after he had puffed and fumed to 13 off 28 balls.
Ultimately, their squad won their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2024 thanks to a cautious 22-run partnership off of 21 balls from Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller.
These are some of the game’s highlights between South Africa and Sri Lanka:
Lively pitch at New York.
That’s the thing with the drop-in surfaces. Extra layer of grass to begin with. Takes time to settle down. Need cricket to be played on the square for it to become what they end up becoming—good pitches to bat. #T20WorldCup
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 3, 2024
Pitch of the 80s & batters of 2020s. Not a good union. #CricketInNY
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) June 3, 2024
#ICCT20WC2024 #SAvSL @SkyCricket I believe this pitch started life in Adelaide… thank goodness wine from Barossa Valley & McLaren Vale travel better! 🍷
— Alan Butcher (@abutch58) June 3, 2024
This isn’t IPL, T20 in US is different ball game. The pitches have bounce and movement, this leg of T20 World Cup is not only about hitting sixes. India will need pace to win here. #T20WorldCup
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 3, 2024
Brilliant bowling by South Africa 🇿🇦 on a wicket that did EVERYTHING for the bowlers. Can Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 defend 77 with their fast bowling unit?? Or will SA make quick work of this total?#SLvSA #T20WorldCup
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) June 3, 2024
Currently it looks like this World cup is for the bowlers. Lets see what the coming matches show#savsl#SLvSA#t20worldcup2024
— Junaid khan (@JunaidkhanREAL) June 3, 2024
Not an ideal pitch for t20 cricket.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 3, 2024
Cricket in New York wowza 🍎 @T20WorldCup
— Danielle Wyatt (@Danni_Wyatt) June 3, 2024
#T20WC2024 #SAvSL 🇿🇦 v 🇱🇰
Historically it’s always been a bit 2 paced in NYC! 😀🤷🏽♂️— Alan Butcher (@abutch58) June 3, 2024
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