In a thrilling encounter at the Nassau International Cricket Stadium, Anrich Nortje’s outstanding bowling performance, combined with a steady batting display, led South Africa to a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the fourth match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 on Monday.
Sri Lanka, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, struggled from the onset on a tricky surface. Pathum Nissanka’s poor form continued, as he was dismissed for just three runs in eight balls by Ottneil Baartman, caught behind by Heinrich Klaasen. This early wicket set the tone for a challenging innings for the Sri Lankan team.
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Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis attempted to stabilize the innings, but the South African pace attack, comprising Baartman, Nortje, and Kagiso Rabada, maintained severe pressure. By the end of the powerplay, Sri Lanka managed only 24/1, with Kusal and Kamindu unbeaten.
The pressure paid off when Kamindu was caught near the boundary by Reeza Hendricks off Nortje’s bowling for 11 runs. The Lankan innings further unraveled as Keshav Maharaj spun a web around the batsmen, removing skipper Wanindu Hasaranga and Sadeera Samarawickrama for ducks. Nortje continued his stellar performance, dismissing Kusal Mendis for 19 runs, leaving Sri Lanka at a precarious 40/5 in 10 overs.
Nortje’s third wicket came with the dismissal of Charith Asalanka, caught by Hendricks, followed by a brief resistance from Angelo Mathews, who hit a six to bring up Sri Lanka’s 50 in 12.5 overs. However, Rabada broke the 23-run partnership between Mathews and Dasun Shanaka, bowling Shanaka out for nine runs.
Mathews’s valiant effort ended as Nortje claimed his fourth wicket, with Mathews caught for 16 runs. Rabada then took his second wicket, dismissing Matheesha Pathirana. Sri Lanka’s innings concluded at 77 runs, with Nuwan Thushara run out by Marco Jansen and Nortje.
Nortje was the standout bowler, taking four wickets for just seven runs in his four overs. Rabada and Maharaj each took two wickets, while Baartman chipped in with one.
Chasing a modest target of 78 runs, South Africa’s innings began shakily. Opener Reez Hendricks was dismissed for four runs by Nuwan Thushara in the second over. Captain Aiden Markram managed 12 runs before being sent back by Dasun Shanaka.
Despite a cautious approach, South Africa reached 50 in 10.3 overs, although they lost Quinton de Kock soon after, who scored 20 runs. Tristan Stubbs’s 13 runs added to the total before he was dismissed, leaving South Africa at 58/4 after 13 overs.
David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen then guided South Africa to victory, reaching the target in 16.2 overs with six wickets in hand. Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, taking two wickets for 22 runs, while Thushara and Shanaka each claimed one wicket.
Brief Score:
- South Africa: 80/4 in 16.2 overs (Quinton De Kock 20, Heinrich Klaaasen 19*, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/22)
- Sri Lanka 77 in 19.1 overs (Kusal Mendis 19, Angelo Mathews 16, Anrich Nortje 4/7).