South Africa v Sri Lanka quarter final, 2015 Cricket World Cup
You're in the Sydney Cricket Ground's members' stand watching the last throes of the South Africa vs. Sri Lanka ICC cricket world cup quarter final. This is the upper deck of the heritage protected stand. Below, Sri Lanka awaits the death blow after scoring a dismal 133...about 200 short, considering they scored 300+ against Australia on the same ground last week. At the wicket are South Africa's Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis, and Sri Lanka's Tharindu Kaushal is bowling.
South Africa's bowling was extremely tight. Dale Steyn and Kyle Abbott began aggressively and finished with 1-18 and 1-27 respectively. But Sri Lanka never seemed psyched up for the occasion. Kumar Sangakkara, who scored four consecutive centuries preceding this game, scored 2 off his first 27 balls. Sri Lanka were struggling at 4-114 when captain Angelo Mathews was dismissed on the last ball of a Duminy over, becoming the first of a hat-trick spread over two overs. In between spinner Imran Tahir (who is having an outstanding tournament) secured another wicket and soon Sri Lanka were 8-116. After that Sangakkara holed out for 45 - Sri Lanka's highest score. South Africa's win was completed in 18 overs, the equivalent of barely raising a sweat in a 50-over game. Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, who had earlier taken an great diving catch, hit 78 off 57 balls as South Africa easily overcame Sri Lanka's total.
South Africa planned brilliantly but there were no demons in the pitch. The result probably bore out pre-match predictions given the injuries to Sri Lanka's side, although Sri Lanka scored far less than anticipated.
South Africa v Sri Lanka quarter final, 2015 Cricket World Cup
You're in the Sydney Cricket Ground's members' stand watching the last throes of the South Africa vs. Sri Lanka ICC cricket world cup quarter final. This is the upper deck of the heritage protected stand. Below, Sri Lanka awaits the death blow after scoring a dismal 133...about 200 short, considering they scored 300+ against Australia on the same ground last week. At the wicket are South Africa's Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis, and Sri Lanka's Tharindu Kaushal is bowling.
South Africa's bowling was extremely tight. Dale Steyn and Kyle Abbott began aggressively and finished with 1-18 and 1-27 respectively. But Sri Lanka never seemed psyched up for the occasion. Kumar Sangakkara, who scored four consecutive centuries preceding this game, scored 2 off his first 27 balls. Sri Lanka were struggling at 4-114 when captain Angelo Mathews was dismissed on the last ball of a Duminy over, becoming the first of a hat-trick spread over two overs. In between spinner Imran Tahir (who is having an outstanding tournament) secured another wicket and soon Sri Lanka were 8-116. After that Sangakkara holed out for 45 - Sri Lanka's highest score. South Africa's win was completed in 18 overs, the equivalent of barely raising a sweat in a 50-over game. Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, who had earlier taken an great diving catch, hit 78 off 57 balls as South Africa easily overcame Sri Lanka's total.
South Africa planned brilliantly but there were no demons in the pitch. The result probably bore out pre-match predictions given the injuries to Sri Lanka's side, although Sri Lanka scored far less than anticipated.