CWC 2019 Flashback: Exiting South Africa spoil the Lankan party

“Hum to doobe hai sanam, tujhe bhi leke doobenge” (we have drowned but we will take you down as well) was what Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib said just before their clash against Bangladesh. The Afghans were no longer in the race to the semi-finals but could spoil Bangladesh’s party by defeating them. It was as if South Africa took a leaf out of the Afghan manual in the penultimate match of their World Cup campaign.

With no fear of losing and no pressure of winning, the Proteas tasted long overdue success with a 9-wicket win over the Lankans at The Riverside Ground in Durham. While it made no difference to South Africa’s run in the tournament, Sri Lanka slipped further away from their dream of qualification.

Check out the full scorecard here

SA’s perfect bowling display

This was the kind of complete performance South Africa needed at the beginning of the World Cup. Winning the toss and electing to field first, they made a dream start to the innings. Kagiso Rabada unleashed a peach of a delivery to get Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne to nick one in the second slip. Kusal Perera (30) and Aviskha Fernando (30) started the rebuilding process but were soon victims of Dwaine Pretorius’ terrific first spell that sent them both back in the hut. Angelo Mathews (11) continued to have a horrid tournament, playing on against Chris Morris.

Almost every Lankan batsman got the starts, but the South African bowlers kept coming back with regular dents. Barring Imran Tahir, all of their 5 bowlers ended up taking wickets. It was if the Sri Lankan batsmen lacked intent, even after being aware of what’s at stake. They were bundled out for 203 in the 50th over. South Africa were good with the wickets but finished the innings conceding 20 extras to Sri Lanka.

Cakewalk for Amla-du Plessis

After putting up an under-par total, Sri Lanka hoped the talismanic Lasith Malinga could weave magic with the ball. He started well, castling his Mumbai Indians teammate Quinton de Kock in the 5th over. But Hashim Amla (80) and Faf du Plessis (96) were like men on a mission. None of the Lankan bowlers could trouble them. The duo eased into the chase and gave themselves plenty of time to play their shots. Both batsmen brought up their respective fifties, stitching a fine 175-run partnership to take their side home.

The unbroken partnership of 1️⃣7️⃣5️⃣ between Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis was the record second-wicket stand in ODI cricket at The Riverside Durham and the second-highest stand for any wicket at the ground ??? #CWC19 | #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/65CNhzcFqr

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 28, 2019

The loss put Sri Lanka’s fate in the tournament well and beyond their control. They had to bow out of the group stage later despite beating the world champions.