PROTEAS

PROTEAS MAKE WORLD RECORD AS THEY BEAT SRI LANKA IN A RUN FEAST MATCH

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PROTEAS BATTERS OUTSHINE THE SRI LANKA BOWLERS

The 12 th edition of men’s cricket world cup witnessed its highest ever score when South
Africa posted a mammoth 428/5 in 50 overs. Sri Lanka won the toss and asked the Proteas
to bat. It turned out to be a nightmare for Sri Lankan Bowlers as Quinton de Kock and
Rassier van der Dussen made a huge partnership of 204 runs for the second wicket.Quinton
de Kock initially batted watchfully to score his half-century in 62 balls, but he then changed
gears to rapidly get his next 50 runs in just 21 balls. He made a well deserved century in just
84 balls with 12 boundaries and three huge sixes.

Dussen played a pivotal 108 runs which set up the Proteas for a big score at the Arun Jaitley
stadium in New Delhi. His century was laced with 13 fours and 2 big sixes.
The arrival of Aiden Markram in the 31st over unleashed instant fireworks as he plundered Sri Lankan bowlers all over the park. He devastated the opponent team with 14 boundaries and three sixes to make 106 in only 54 balls at a strike rate of 185. His heroics joined the record books as the fastest century in a world cup. The previous record was held by Irish batsman Kevin O’Brien who had achieved the feat in just 50 balls against England in cricket world cup 2011.


Significant contributions by Heinrich Klassen hitting three sixes and David Miller staying 39
not out ensured the Proteas posting a world record total. Matheesha Pathirana was the most expensive Sri Lankan bowler as he conceded 95 runs in 10 overs and picked 1 wickets of Quinton de Kock. Dilshan Madushanka picked 2 wickets conceding 86 runs in his 10 overs. Skipper Shanaka was the most economical bowler giving 36 runs in his 6 overs.

The Sri Lankans were not prepared to call it a day without a fight and it was commendable
that they showed great intent to chase this record total. Recovering from early blows by
Marco Jansen who dismissed Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera with superb deliveries,
Kusal Mendis played a fiery knock of 76 runs in only 42 deliveries with 4 fours and an
astonishing 8 sixes.

Left hander Charith Asalanka made swift 79 runs in 65 balls laced with
eight boundaries and 4 sixes. Kagiso Rabada made the breakthrough by taking wicket of
Mendis. Charith Asalanka was dismissed by a brilliant catch taken by substitute fielder
Reeza Hendricks in the over of Lungi Ngidi.

Skipper Dasun Shanaka made a brilliant 68 runs in 62 balls with 6 boundaries and 3 sixes.
His prized wicket was taken by Keshav Maharaj. Gerald Coetzee chipped in to pick 3 wickets
which made the task harder for the Sri Lankans. Kasun Rajitha kept the scoreboard ticking
by adding 33 runs but in the end, the target just seemed too big and they were eventually all
out for 326 runs in 44.5 overs.

Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj picked 2
wickets each while Lungi Ngidi had the best economy rate conceding 49 runs in his 8 overs.
This match witnessed a total 754 runs with a mind-boggling 74 fours and 31 sixes. Aiden
Markram was adjudged man of the match for his splendid batting.

South Africa look forward to win their first ever world cup and this victory will certainly give
them tremendous impetus to play better. Their next match is against five-time world
champions Australia on October 12.

Sri Lanka have won this mega tournament back in 1996 and they would look to improve their
game in the ongoing Round Robin stage.

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