Published: Mar 18, 2015, 07:30 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 31, 2016, 12:30 PM (IST)
(Sri Lanka take on South Africa in the first quarter-final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Catch live cricket scores and updates here)
Certainly an impressive win by South Africa but not the one that creates lot of excitement. Here is Shiamak Unwalla’s final report of this quarter-final match between Sri Lanka and South Africa.
South Africa were brilliant today and they have made a strong comeback in the World Cup. But with Sri Lanka crashing out, we will not get to see Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene together in the field again. They are leaving the SCG field as the winning team’s batsmen wait for them. Warm hug from Hashim Amla to Mahela Jayawardene.
Jaya and Sanga getting hugs and wishes from cricketers from both the teams. Sangakkara has a wide grin as always. Waves to the fans at the SCG.
Imran Tahir is named Man of the Match for his splendid bowling today.
Angelo Mathews: We thought the track was good and we could have batted well. There were no demons in the pitch. 130 was not enough. This is our worst performance and it happened to be in the quarter-finals. South Africa are a very good side. We were nervous. Disappointing not to make a memorable one for Mahela and Sanga. We salute them for their services in the last couple of years. Anything can happen on knockout stage and I wish the others. The best thing would have been to go to the final and win it for them, but unfortunately it didn’t happen.’
AB de Villiers: The guys were motivated for the game. We always felt like the knock out stages are tough, just had a good feeling coming into the game. I was going to bat first. But looking back to the game pretty happy with the way bowlers performed. Lot of credit to the coaches. Looking forward to the next game. For the two of them (Duminy and Tahir) to come on early and perform so well against a subcontinent team was good to see.
Kumar Sangakkara: If you’re not good enough you are disappointed. I’m very proud of my team and about my carreer. When you get to a quarter-final, we gave ourselves the chance. Losing in a final is more heart-wrenching that losing a quarter-final. Got to put our hands up and say we didn’t do well today.
Sangakkara speaks on Mahela Jayawardene: For someone so young he had a lot of respect for him in the dressing room. I started off when he was the vice-captain. We hung out a lot and became friends instantly. Been an absolutr privilege playing with him. You want to end on a high, but if it happens, it happens, if it doesn’t, you’ve got to move on.
Mahela Jayawardene: It’s been tough. Had a pretty good campaign and did everything wrong today. Credit to the South Africans. Can’t write the script, we did it in the T20 World Cup, but can’t do it every time. Hardest thing is to evolve with everything new that develops everyday. You have to keep pushing yourself everyday. It’s been frustrating mentally and physically. Challenge has been to evolve continuously for such a long time. Skill wise the game has evolved over the years. Tactics, field setting, the way people look at the game is deiiferent over the years.
Will probably wake up late tomorrow. Will miss cricket, but I’ve enjoyed every bit of it. No regrets.
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 134/1 in 18 Overs: Lasith Malinga is back into the attack. De Kock pushes one on the off side to collect three runs and then du Plessis takes a single. All over! De Kock hits a four on the final ball to register a win for South Africa and knock Sri Lanka out of World Cup! BATTING: Quinton de Kock 78 (57), Faf du Plessis 21 (31)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 123/1 in 17 Overs: Kaushal continues. Sri Lanka are completely looking distraught after a poor day so far at the SCG. South Africa are inching closer to win here. Another 11 runs needed for South Africa to win. BATTING: Quinton de Kock 69 (52), Faf du Plessis 20 (30)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 118/1 in 16 Overs: South Africa are strolling to a big victory here. Dilshan has come back into the attack as South African batsmen look lot more comfortable against his orthodox spin. BATTING: Quinton de Kock 66 (51), Faf du Plessis 18 (25)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 110/1 in 15 Overs: Thisara Perera has replaced Dushmantha Chameera, and has been smashed for a four by de Kock on the midwicket area. De Kock hits one really high in the air, and the man in the deep tries but could only manages to get his hands on the ball and not grab it. BATTING: Quinton de Kock 61 (47), Faf du Plessis 15 (23)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 100/1 in 14 Overs: Kaushal continues the good work from his end. South Africa bring up their 100-run mark as four runs were scored in the over. South Africa need 34 more runs to win. BATTING: Quinton de Kock 53 (43), Faf du Plessis 14 (21)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 96/1 in 13 Overs: De Kock slams a four past the fielder at mid on off Chameera. The second ball is an atrocious one, bowled from round the wickets way down the leg side for four past wicketkeeper. De Kock pulls, gets hit on the top of the helmet and the ball goes to the boundary. Another big over for South Africa. . BATTING: Quinton de Kock 50 (39), Faf du Plessis 13 (19)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 79/1 in 12 Overs: Tharindu Kaushal continues. There is another bat pad chance, this time de Kock is in trouble but the ball lands safely. Kaushal is bowling at decent line and length, as well as pace. Just two runs scored. BATTING: Quinton de Kock 44 (35), Faf du Plessis 12 (17)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 77/1 in 11 Overs: Dushmantha Chameera is into the attack now. De Kock gets the second ball in his zone and he slams another four through covers. The third delivery is no ball again, and is hit for a four on the leg side by de Kock. The foll0w-up delivery is fine but then Chameera loses his line and bowls a wide. The fourth ball — a short one — is pulled in front of the square by de Kock for a single. Big over for South Africa as 16 runs come off it! BATTING: Quinton de Kock 43 (33), Faf du Plessis 11 (13)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 61/1 in 10 Overs: Kaushal continues. There is a chance of bat pad but the ball lands safely, away from the short leg fielder. There is width on the final ball and de Kock hits a four. South Africa cruising at the moment. BATTING: Quinton de Kock 34 (29), Faf du Plessis 7 (10)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 53/1 in 9 Overs: Malinga continues. Du Plessis takes two runs in the gully area. The fourth ball is short, du Plessis pulls it well for a single straight to the fine leg fielder. De Kock hits over the mid on fielder to collect two runs off a no ball. The free hit delivery is way outside off stump. Wide. The final legal delivery is dot. South Africa bring up their 50-run mark. BATTING: Quinton de Kock 29 (26), Faf du Plessis 4 (6)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 45/1 in 8 Overs: Tharindu Kaushal seems to have hogged all limelight here. He is bowling well, the South Africans are playing him only on the backfoot. Only one run scored in that over. South Africa need 89 more to win. BATTING: Quinton de Kock 26 (24), Faf du Plessis 1 (2)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 44/1 in 7 Overs: De Kock starts off post the dinner break with a four on the off side. The final ball from Malinga is a well-directed bounder. BATTING: Quinton de Kock 26 (20), Faf du Plessis 0 (0)
South Africa have lost Amla once again, and this has been their shortcoming in this World Cup. They have lost one of their openers early on in almost every game and that has put pressure on South Africa. Players have walked off the field to have dinner, with South Africa needing 94 runs to win with 9 wickets in hand. Play will start in about 30 minutes. Stay tuned!
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 40/1 in 6.4 Overs: South Africa will be pleased with their effort so far with the bat as they have not given the Sri Lankans any opportunity to make inroads. Malinga continues and on the fourth ball, he strikes to remove Hashim Amla! The ball had width on the off and Amla hit in the air to be caught at third man. Good catch by Nuwan Kulasekara as he covers a lot of ground! BATTING: Quinton de Kock 22 (18)
OUT! Hashim Amla c Nuwan Kulasekara b Lasith Malinga 16 (23)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 37/0 in 5 Overs: Sri Lanka’s ‘mystery spinner’ Tharindu Kaushal is on with an unusual run up and bowling action. He does well to contain the South Africans. Five runs off the over. South Africa now need 97 more runs to win. BATTING: Hashim Amla 14 (19), Quinton de Kock 22 (18)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 32/0 in 5 Overs: Sri Lanka must get the spinners into the attack now. De Kock is scoring runs at will as he smashes another four on the off side off Malinga. Another good over., BATTING: Hashim Amla 11 (15), Quinton de Kock 20 (16)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 24/0 in 4 Overs: Another fact that Sri Lankans won’t like here: Sri Lanka have never won defending a total under 150. De Kock hits on the off side to get his first four off Nuwan Kulasekara. He did well in the first innings, now de Kock can get some much-needed runs. Another four, same region. De Kock continues to make runs, gets a four on the leg side past the man at mid on. BATTING: Hashim Amla 10 (14),Quinton de Kock 14 (9)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 11/0 in 3 Overs: Amla hits in the air on the deep square leg region off Malinga to collect two runs. Malinga improvises, beats Amla outside the off stump on the next as the ball moves away a little. A single on the third as the ball had width and Amla hit on the off side. BATTING: Hashim Amla 9 (13),Quinton de Kock 2 (5)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 6/0 in 2 Overs: Tillakaratne Dilshan to bowl the second over. Quinton de Kock takes a single one the first ball and Amla also takes one on the second. BATTING: Hashim Amla 5 (8),Quinton de Kock 1 (4)
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 4/0 in 1 Over: Hashim Amla is away with a four through the covers off Lasith Malinga on the first ball. The next couple of deliveries keep Amla quiet on the strike. The only way Sri Lanka can force their way back into this game would be through wickets. That too three or four in quick succession. BATTING: Hashim Amla 4 (6),Quinton de Kock 0 (0)
South Africa need 134 runs to win from 50 overs at 2.68 runs per over. Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock walk out to bat. Sri Lanka had a couple of dropped heads when they were in the huddle.
What a fine bowling performance from South Africa! Sri Lanka may be having run-machines in their ranks but never did it look like they were in the game. It was South Africa all the way! Dale Steyn and Kyle Abbott started off brilliantly, and the pressure they created was utilised well by the spin duo of JP Duminy and Imran Tahir, who returned with the figures of 17.2-1-55-7. Full marks to both of them, especially JP Duminy who became the first bowler with a hat-trick for South Africa in World Cup history! Here is the innings report of Sri Lanka vs South Africa QF1, from Shiamak Unwalla.
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 133/10 in 37.2 Overs: And there’s the final wicket. Imran Tahir bags his fourth wicket in the innings as Lasith Malinga gives a straight catch to the man at extra cover! South Africa bundle out Sri Lanka for just 133! . NOT OUT: Dushamantha Chameera 2 (5)
OUT! Lasith Malinga c David Miller b Imran Tahir 3 (6)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 133/9 in 37 Overs: Morkel continues to trouble the Sri Lankan tailender Lasith Malinga, who hits one in the air to collect three runs. It was a no ball. The final ball is again hit in the same region, two more runs. BATTING: Dushamantha Chameera 2 (5), Lasith Malinga 3 (4)
Players are out again, back in the middle with South Africa needing one more wicket. Lasith Malinga is the new man in.
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 127/9 in 36.2 Overs: Morkel to bowl. South Africa take their time to set the field. Sanga on strike. He will look to dissect the gaps. A painful stay for Sangakkara is over as he is caught at the third man on the second ball! The left-handed batsman was the lone hope for Sri Lanka to get some runs here, but no. No more. The run machine has fallen. And rain has halted play. BATTING: Dushamantha Chameera 0 (4)
OUT! Kumar Sangakkara c David Miller b Morne Morkel 45 (96)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 127/8 in 36 Overs: Batting powerplay taken. Kumar Sangakkara carries all hopes for scoring runs now as there are many overs left in the innings. Sangakkara makes room to hit a four on the off side from Abbott’s third ball. Hits in the air again to collect two more runs. Sanga gets a four on the second last ball on the midwicket region. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 45 (94), Dushamantha Chameera 0 (4)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 116/8 in 35 Overs: Kumar Sangakkara can do nothing but watch his team collapse right in front of his eyes. The South African spinners have broken Sri Lanka’s spine here. Duminy becomes the first man in the history to take a World Cup hat-trick for South Africa. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 34 (88), Dushamantha Chameera 0 (4)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 116/8 in 34.2 Overs: There it is!!! JP Duminy completes the hat-trick as debutant Tharindu Kaushal is trapped right in front of the wickets! South Africa are in complete command! This has been a splendid performance from their bowlers, especially the spinners. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 34 (88),
OUT! Tharindu Kaushal lbw JP Duminy 0 (1)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 116/7 in 34.1 Overs: Nuwan Kulasekara walks away as the umpire thinks there was no edge, but replays show there was one. South Africa are all over Sri Lanka now. Duminy takes the wicket and he is on a hat-trick chance! BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 34 (88),
OUT! Nuwan Kulasekara c Quinton de Kock b JP Duminy 1 (2)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 116/6 in 34 Overs: Nuwan Kulasekara walks out. So that implies that Kumar Sangakkara holds all hopes for Sri Lanka to get a respectable score here. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 34 (88), Nuwan Kulasekara 1 (1)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 114/6 in 33.4 Overs: Thisara Perera is the new man in. Tahir comes back into the attack and he produces a chance immediately! Perera hits in the air but the ball falls short of the man at extra cover! But then! Tahir strikes again! Perera has fallen for a duck as he gets an outside edge and this time there was a first slip! BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 33 (86),
OUT! Thisara Perera c Rilee Rossouw 0 (3)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 114/5 in 33 Overs: Duminy continues. Mathews gets two runs as an outside edge is stopped near the boundary ropes. Couple of runs as Mathews and Sangakkara keep rotating the strike, but on the final ball, Duminy strikes!!!! Mathews gives a dolly to the man at short midwicket as South Africa continue to dominate! Third catch in the innings for Faf du Plessis. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 33 (86),
OUT! Angelo Mathews c Faf du Plessis b JP Duminy 19 (32)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 109/4 in 32 Overs: Steyn gets down on his knees to appeal for a leg before against Mathews, but the ball was hitting way above the knee roll. Mathews is able t get a single only on the fourth ball. Two runs from the over. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 31 (83), Angelo Mathews 16 (29)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 107/4 in 31 Overs: Duminy comes back on. Sangakkara gets off the strike with a single down the ground on the second ball. Mathews too hits in the same area for one run. Sangakkara is somehow not finding the middle of the bat, not able to find the gaps as well. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 30 (81), Angelo Mathews 15 (25)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 105/4 in 30 Overs: Dale Steyn is into the attack now. Sri Lanka are looking to keep rotating the strike at the moment, the big overs are still not coming through for them. Only three runs scored off Steyn in the 30th over. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 29 (76), Angelo Mathews 14 (24)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 102/4 in 29 Overs:Morne Morkel is bowling extremely well at the moment as he manages to trouble the batsmen. Mathews and Sangakkara look to rebuild the innings as Sri Lanka bring up their 100. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 27 (73), Angelo Mathews 13 (21)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 99/4 in 28 Overs: Finally! A boundary is hit as Mathews slams one through the midwicket region to break the shackles. Sri Lanka added six more runs to their total. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 25 (71), Angelo Mathews 12 (17)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 93/4 in 27 Overs: Morne Morkel is back into the attack, replacing JP Duminy. Sri Lanka batsmen are only dealing in singles and doubles at the moment. Morkel continues to get good bounce on this wicket. Four runs added to the total. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 24 (69), Angelo Mathews 7 (13)
The African boys climbing all over Sri Lanka here. Might be the first terrible shot I’ve ever seen Jayawardena play
— Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) March 18, 2015
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 89/4 in 26 Overs: Tahir continues. Mathews takes a single on the third ball on the leg side. South Africa will be very pleased with the way their spinners have bowled today. Single from Sangakkara to end the over. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 23 (67), Angelo Mathews 4 (9)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 87/4 in 25 Overs: Duminy continues the good work as Sri Lankan batsmen are tied up, being allowed only singles and doubles. Four runs added from the over. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 22 (64), Angelo Mathews 3 (6)
This pitch looks like it’s taking some turn . We’re going to have to keep picking up wickets and even 250 -260 gonna be a tight chase.
— Robin John Peterson (@robbie13flair) March 18, 2015
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 83/4 in 24 Overs: No Sanga-Jaya show today as Tahir has made a crucial breakthrough. Angelo Mathews has walked out to bat. Sangakkara takes two runs from the final ball. Two runs and a wicket from Tahir’s over. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 20 (61), Angelo Mathews 1 (3)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 81/4 in 23.1 Overs: WICKET!!! And this is a big one!!! Tahir foxed Jayawardene to play a big shot and the batsman gives a simple catch to the man at short midwicket! South Africa are right back on top. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 19 (59),
OUT! Mahela Jayawardene c Faf du Plessis b Imran Tahir 4 (16)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 81/3 in 23 Overs: Bit of a mix up between Sanga and Jaya but Rossouw’s poor work at short third man allows then to take a single off Duminy. The South African spinners are running through their overs now. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 19 (59), Mahela Jayawardene 4 (15)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 77/3 in 22 Overs: Tahir is operating with a first slip in place for Jayawardene. The right-arm bowler is getting turn as Jayawardene is beaten outside the off stump. Jayawardene is trapped in front of the wickets. Tahir and South Africa appeal really hard. South Africa take review. Good decision from the umpire, the ball was hitting the pads outside the off stumo. Not out. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 17 (55), Mahela Jayawardene 2 (13)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 76/3 in 21 Overs: Duminy continues as there are a couple of wide balls. Sri Lanka have huge task in their hands and who better than the trusted pair of Sanga and Jaya can do the job for them? Four runs scored. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 16 (53), Mahela Jayawardene 2 (9)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 72/3 in 20 Overs: Mahela Jayawardene walks out to bat. If Sri Lanka does not win this, this will be perhaps the last time we will be watching these two legends bat together. Jayawardene takes a single on the final ball from Tahir. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 15 (51), Mahela Jayawardene 1 (5)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 69/3 in 19.1 Overs: WICKET! Tahir breaks this stubborn stand as Thirimanne gives a dolly back to the bowler! BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 15 (51),
OUT! Lahiru Thirimanne c&b Imran Tahir 41 (48)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 69/2 in 19 Overs: Duminy continues. Sri Lanka batsmen are only dealing in singles as the boundaries seem to have dried up. Five runs added in the over. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 15 (51), Lahiru Thirimanne 41 (47)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 64/2 in 18 Overs: Tahir comes on for the second over. Lucky for Thirimanne as the absence of the first slip gets him a couple of runs. Thirimanne and Sanga scramble to add six runs to the total. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 12 (49), Lahiru Thirimanne 39 (43)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 58/2 in 17 Overs: Sangakkara continues to fail in rotating the strike, takes a single only on the fourth ball in the over. Good work from Duminy as three runs are scored in that over. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 11 (47), Lahiru Thirimanne 35 (39)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 55/2 in 16 Overs: Imran Tahir comes after the drinks break. He starts off well with two dot balls first up., and then a single. Lucky, very lucky for Sangakkara as he is beaten outside the off stump! Sangakkara then breaks the shackles with a six on the leg side. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 10 (43), Lahiru Thirimanne 33 (37)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 50/2 in 15 Overs: JP Duminy has replaced Morne Morkel, who is getting an earful from Allan Donald near the ropes for some reason. Couple of singles from the Sri Lankan batsmen. Sri Lanka crawl to the 50-run mark in the 15th over. Time for drinks. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 6 (40), Lahiru Thirimanne 32 (34)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 47/2 in 14 Overs: Thirimanne pushes on the leg side on the second ball as they take a single off Abbott. Another good over for South Africa as only one run is scored. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 5 (38), Lahiru Thirimanne 30 (30)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 46/2 in 13 Overs: Morkel is getting some good bounce here at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). One flies over the wicketkeeper for four byes. Free runs for Sri Lanka. Sanga remains watchful. It’s time Sangakkara gets going. Only five runs from 34 balls so far. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 5 (34), Lahiru Thirimanne 29 (28)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 42/2 in 12 Overs: Abbott has replaced Steyn. Thirimanne cracks one on the off side on the first ball but Duminy dives to save a certain boundary. South Africa cannot let these two off the hook, need another wicket to maintain the pressure. Sangakkara pushes past the man at mid on and collects three runs to bring up 500 runs in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015! BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 5 (29), Lahiru Thirimanne 29 (28)
Good start on a slow deck..tahir good for 3 poles i reckon..bowled to short to sanga,allowed him to get in.
— herschelle gibbs (@hershybru) March 18, 2015
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 38/2 in 11 Overs: Morkel comes on from over the wicket. The second ball is a wide and Quinton fails to collect, Sri Lanka add one more run via byes. Sangakkara is taking it very simple as of now. Perhaps thinking to get through with the ace pacers and then open up later on. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 2 (27), Lahiru Thirimanne 28 (23)
This is surely a contender for photo of the World Cup. #CWC15 #SAvSL #SA #SL pic.twitter.com/SGDpEFhIjI
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) March 18, 2015
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 35/2 in 10 Overs: Steyn continues for the fifth over in the innings. Thirimanne is doing well, hitting over the fielders as this time Steyn is hit for a four over the mid off fielder for another boundary. Sri Lanka need many many more. Sanga takes his second run, off the 23rd ball in the innings. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 2 (23), Lahiru Thirimanne 27 (21)
READ: Sri Lanka look to rebuild after early wickets
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 27/2 in 9 Overs: Thirimanne lucky as he hits in the air and the ball races to the boundary, brushing the fingers of Rilee Rossouw at point. The second last ball has width, and Thirimanne slams it over the in-field for the second four in a row. Morkel does well to attack from round the wicket, but Sri Lanka manage nine runs from the over. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 1 (22), Lahiru Thirimanne 20 (16)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 18/2 in 8 Overs: Steyn is all right as he changes ends and replaces Abbott. Steyn is bowling an excellent line and length, and Sangakkara is paying full respect to all the probing deliveries. 22 balls and only one run for Sanga so far. Maiden over. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 1 (22), Lahiru Thirimanne 11 (10)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 18/2 in 7 Overs: Morne Morkel replaces Dale Steyn. Morkel starts with couple of good balls outside the off stump, gets good carry through to the ‘keeper. The fifth ball is on the pads and finall, Sangakkara is off the mark on the 16th ball that he has faced in the innings. The final ball is a no-ball and Sri Lanka get a free hit. Morkel is not happy. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 1 (16), Lahiru Thirimanne 11 (10)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 16/2 in 6 Overs: Not the start Sri Lanka would have wanted after winning the toss and electing to bat. Thirimanne gets width and he cracks it through the covers for the first boundary in the game. The second last ball is again the same, in-form Thirimanne puts it for another four. Good over for Sri Lanka as 10 runs come off it. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 0 (11), Lahiru Thirimanne 11 (8)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 6/2 in 5 Overs: Steyn on fire. South Africa on fire. Is this the wicket which will set the tone for Steyn? Lahiru Thirimanne has walked out ahead of the veteran Mahela Jayawardene. Sri Lanka in tatters, need a strong stand now. Sanga yet to get off the mark. Oh dear, looks like Steyn is in pain, perhaps back pain. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 0 (11), Lahiru Thirimanne 1 (2)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 4/2 in 4.1 Overs: DALE STEYN ROARS!!! The South African pacer has Dilshan caught in the second slip and look at the celebrations! Steyn’s roar in the middle is nothing less than a lion’s! Faf du Plessis takes an excellent catch as the ball was dying. Dilshan saw width and went ahead with hard hands, the ball took an outside edge and it was dying in front of du Plessis, who takes a superb catch! South Africa are all over Sri Lanka at the moment. BATTING: Kumar Sangakkara 0 (8)
OUT! Tillakaratne Dilshan c Faf du Plessis b Dale Steyn 0 (7)
READ: Dilshan falls for duck to Steyn
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 4/1 in 4 Overs: Abbott beats Sangakkara outside the off stump on the first ball. There is change of ball as the one which was used for only one over has suffered a big crack. Big shout for leg-before against Sangakkara on the third ball. Ball was missing the wickets, replays show. Abbott is testing Sanga, who is yet to score a run. What a start this for South Africa! BATTING: Tillakaratne Dilshan 0 (6), Kumar Sangakkara 0 (8)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 3/1 in 3 Overs: Dale Steyn continues. What a blow for Sri Lanka and I am sure that catch would boost Quinton’s confidence immensely. Steyn continues to keep Dilshan trapped on the strike as the batsman swings and misses on a couple of deliveries. Maiden over. BATTING: Tillakaratne Dilshan 0 (6), Kumar Sangakkara 0 (2)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 3/1 in 2 Overs: Kumar Sangakkara is in and he starts off with two dot balls. Big blow for the Sri Lankans, one of their changes have flopped. BATTING: Tillakaratne Dilshan 0 (0), Kumar Sangakkara 0 (2)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 3/1 in 1.4 Overs: Kyle Abbott starts with a fine delivery in the line of the off stump, which is defended by Perera. The left-hander is trying to hit everything that is outside the off stump. He is beaten twice. And there it is! Perera swings again and Quinton de Kock takes a stunning catch right in front of the first slip! Quinton fails to take the ball in the first attempt but recovers well to grab it as he dived. BIG WICKET! BATTING: Tillakaratne Dilshan 0 (0)
OUT! Kusal Perera c Quinton de Kock b Kyle Abbott 3 (9)
LIVE SCORE Sri Lanka in 3/0 in 1 Over: Dale Steyn begins the attack for South Africa with the first ball outside the off stump left alone by Kusal Perera. The second ball is punched straight to extra cover and Perera is beaten on the third ball. There is an outside edge on the fourth ball that flies over the slips for two runs. Another shot in the air, straight to the third man but safe. BATTING: Kusal Perera 3 (6), Tillakaratne Dilshan 0 (0)
National anthems are done and time for action! South Africa are in a huddle as the Sri Lankan openers walk out. Will it be Dale Steyn roaring back into form to lead his side to victory, 0r will Kumar Sangakkara’s domination that will continue to grab the headlines?
Players and umpires are walking out to the field for the national anthems.
South Africa have never successfully chased a target in excess of 250 against Sri Lanka in One-Day International (ODI) cricket. Looking at the way Sri Lanka have batted this World Cup, it is very, very unlikely that Sri Lanka would struggle with the bat. Especially when Dale Steyn has been completely out of form for the South Africans.
TOSS: Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews has won the toss and elected to bat against South Africa in their ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 quarter-final 1 at Sydney.
Massive toss won by SL, SA would’ve wanted to bat first. FYI, SA has never won a knockout game in an ICC major tourny, Is today the day ?
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 18, 2015
TEAMS:
South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Faf du Plessis, Rilee Rossouw, AB de Villiers (c), David Miller, Jean-Paul Duminy, Dale Steyn, Kyle Abbott, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.
Sri Lanka: Kushal Janith Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews (c), Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, T Kaushal, Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera
Angelo Mathews has confirmed that Sri Lanka will be indulging in their known strategy of unleashing a ‘mystery spinner’, who he termed ‘duplicate Muttiah Muralitharan’ after winning the toss. Hope this does not backfire on Sri Lanka.
Couple of changes for Sri Lanka. Tharindu Kaushal, Nuwan Kulasekara and another young bowler, Dushmantha Chamdeera have been drafted into the side. The big news is that Rangana Herath has been ruled out of the World Cup.
South Africa too have made changes as Vernon Philander is not playing and Kyle Abbott has been drafted in. No Farhaan Behardien, which is good as the in-form Rilee Rossouw is in.
08.20 AM IST: Lasith Malinga is warming up. Remember the Sri Lankan pacer’s four wickets in four balls against South Africa in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007? Watch the video here
08.15 AM IST: Glenn McGrath is more than ‘cocky’ when he comes up with his match predictions. But for this Sri Lanka vs South Africa match, he cannot make out who’d be the best team.
Looking forward to today’s match. Who will win? @OfficialCSA or @OfficialSLC I think it’s going to be close. #CWC15
— Glenn McGrath (@glennmcgrath11) March 18, 2015
08.10 AM IST: South African legend Shaun Pollock and Australia’s Michael Hussey have just finished with their pitch report, and they advice that whoever wins the toss, should bat first. But has not this been the case this World Cup: Put runs on board after batting first and the opposition automatically is under pressure?
Hmm…looks like BigVern’s hammy has ‘gone’ again. Abbott has marked run up. I suspect it’s 7 batsmen, 4 bowlers. J-P and AB to share 10…
— Neil Manthorp (@NeilManthorp) March 18, 2015
08.10 AM IST: South African journalist Neil Manthorp has informed on Twitter that star bowler Vernon Philander is struggling with his hamstring injury, and Kyle Abbott could play.
08.05 AM IST: Sri Lanka have sprung a surprise once again as they have handed the cap to Tharindu Kaushal, who made Test debut during the team’s tour to New Zealand right before the World Cup. In case you want to know the full name of the spinner, it is: Paskuwal Handi Tharindu Kaushal.
08.00 AM IST: Good morning! Big game today as Sri Lanka’s might will be expected to be on display with their venerable duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene all set for the final round of their glorious careers! Remember, today the knockout round begins in the World Cup and the team which loses, will be out of the tournament. Will it be Sanga and Jaya’s Sri Lanka? Or will it be the vulnerable yet dangerous and ‘favourites’ South Africa?
Hello and welcome to CricketCountry’s live blog of the first quarter-final in the ICC Cricket Word Cup 2015, between Sri Lanka and South Africa at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Wednesday. This is Devarchit Varma, and I will be bringing you the over-by-over updates from the match. PREVIEW: Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 1st Quarter-Final in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
South Africa will be up against the might of Sri Lanka, who are on a roll in the ongoing tournament. Sri Lanka’s batsmen are going all guns blazing with Kumar Sangakkara leading the way. Tillakaratne Dilshan and Lahiru Thirimanne are in splendid form as well, and Sri Lanka will certainly be enjoying an edge over the South Africans. Angelo Mathews banks on ‘home support’ in 1st quarter-final
AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla will be the key for South Africa with the bat, and they would hope that Imran Tahir continues the good work for them. Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel will be responsible for being the wicket-takers, as the real contest lies between the South African bowlers and the Sri Lankan batsmen.
South Africa finished at the second place in the World Cup 2015 points table in the Pool B, behind India. They registered four wins from six matches, but lost their two critical ties to the Asian sides India and Pakistan, which suggested that there are still chinks in the armour of the South Africans.
The side led by AB de Villiers lambasted the West Indies and the other lowly-ranked teams in their group stage matches, and their mental preparations for the contest, that too against a side as ruthless as Sri Lanka, will always be questioned. South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 1st quarter-final: Muttiah Muralitharan asks Sri Lanka to bat first
On the other hand, Sri Lanka recovered well after a rusty start to the tournament and have peaked up excellently to emerge as one of the strong contenders to lift the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 tournament. Sri Lanka are likely to be without the services of Rangana Herath, which implies that their bowling department will be depleted and the South Africans have a golden chance to exploit this weakness. Sri Lanka too good for South Africa, feels Mike Hesson
Squads:
Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews (c), Kushal Janith Perera, Thisara Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Sachithra Senanayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Upul Tharanga
South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (c), Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, Jean-Paul Duminy, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, Farhaan Behardien, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Kyle Abbott
LIVE SCORE South Africa in 79/1 in 12 Overs: Tharindu Kaushal continues. There is another bat pad chance, this time de Kock is in trouble but the ball lands safely. Kaushal is bowling at decent line and length, as well as pace. Just two runs scored. BATTING: Quinton de Kock 44(35), Faf du Plessis 12 (17)
