Sri Lanka vs South Africa: The fourth match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 was played between Sri Lanka and South Africa on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi.
The match was a One Day International (ODI) cricket match. Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to field first.
South Africa 428 for 5 beat Sri Lanka 326 by 102 runs
| Players | Runs |
|---|---|
| van der Dussen | 108 |
| Markram | 106 |
| de Kock | 100 |
| Players | Runs |
|---|---|
| Asalanka | 79 |
| Mendis | 76 |
| Shanaka | 68 |
| Coetzee | 3-68 |
South Africa’s World Cup opener against Sri Lanka was a spectacle of cricketing brilliance, marked by a trio of centuries that not only secured a commanding 102-run victory but also etched several records in the annals of the game.
Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock, and Aiden Markram emerged as the stars of the show, delivering emphatic centuries that underscored South Africa’s formidable batting prowess.
Notably, Markram’s 49-ball century set a new World Cup record for South Africans, outpacing the achievement of Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien and injecting a burst of speed into the innings.
Sri Lanka vs South Africa Highlights
The team’s total of 428 for 5 set a new benchmark as the highest ever in a World Cup game, also claiming the highest at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
In a rare feat, it marked the fourth instance in ODI history where three centurions emerged from the same side.
The contest saw a staggering 107 boundaries, a record for World Cup games, and contributed to the highest aggregate in a men’s ODI World Cup match, surpassing the 2019 clash between Australia and Bangladesh.
Though the day highlighted South Africa’s formidable batting prowess, it posed challenges for the bowlers.
The match transformed into a high-stakes battle between the batsmen, culminating in a decisive victory for South Africa.
Despite Sri Lanka enduring a significant defeat, the game provided opportunities for them to extract positive takeaways.
Kusal Mendis set a scintillating tone for the Sri Lankan chase, racing to a 42-ball 76, including eight sixes.
His fifty at the team total of 54 marked a record for the lowest team total at which a batter completed their fifty in men’s ODIs.
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The Sri Lankan side, known for its question marks over scoring quick runs, demonstrated resilience with an impressive display of six-hitting, reminiscent of the West Indies’ performance against England in 2019.
Although Mendis’ departure dimmed Sri Lanka’s chances, the fifties from Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka injected a brief spark of hope.
However, the formidable target proved insurmountable, with late contributions from Kasun Rajitha narrowing the margin of defeat.
The net run rate, crucial in the tournament’s later stages, could make these late fireworks significant in the broader context of Sri Lanka’s campaign.
