Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis scored half-centuries to steer the Proteas to a nine-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street. JON CARDINELLI reports.
South Africa showed an improvement across all three departments. Du Plessis’ decision to bowl first paid off, as the seamers made good use of the conditions to dismiss Sri Lanka for a modest 203.
Dwaine Pretorius made the biggest impact with the ball, taking 3-25 in his 10 overs. Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada kept things tight and were rewarded with three and two wickets respectively.
The Proteas showed some composure in pursuit of the admittedly low target. Following Quinton de Kock’s departure, Amla (80) and Du Plessis (96) clubbed together for an unbeaten 175-run partnership.
WATCH: The moment South Africa sealed an emphatic win that has left Sri Lanka on the brink of #CWC19 elimination ??#SLvSA | #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/nvSV3e0IGx
— ICC (@ICC) June 28, 2019
The senior batsman and the skipper took few chances en route to a couple of richly deserved half-centuries. After reaching 50, Du Plessis started to accelerate.
Amla was given out lbw on 68. The Proteas reviewed the decision and Amla started to walk off in the middle of the process. The third umpire, however, found that the ball had pitched outside leg and so a relieved Amla returned to the crease.
In the end, the Proteas needed 37.2 overs to surpass the target. Du Plessis finished short of what would have been the first century scored by a South African at the 2019 tournament.
The result in Durham sees the Proteas claiming their second win in eight matches. They should be looking to secure another victory against Australia next Saturday and finish a disappointing World Cup campaign on a high.
Photo: Cricket World Cup/Twitter
