South Africa win after dismissing Sri Lanka for 77

South Africa beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in their first T20 World Cup group match on Monday, dismissing their Asian opponents for their lowest ever score of 77 on a lively drop-in pitch at the temporary Nassau County stadium in Eisenhower Park.

The South Africans struggled on an Adelaide-cultivated pitch with pace, bounce, and spin before reaching their target with six wickets and 22 balls remaining.

The pitch provided plenty for all bowlers, with South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje taking four wickets for only seven runs. Nortje, 30, has suffered hip and back injuries, as have many pacemen, but he returned to his devastating best on Monday, bowling with pace and late swing.

"It's a great result for the team because it was a tough wicket," said Nortje who was named Player of the Match. "We didn’t know what to expect."

Sri Lanka, who had selected four spinners in contrast to South Africa's four fast bowlers, chose to bat after winning the toss but were quickly undone when Ottneil Baartman struck with his first ball in a World Cup. Nortje also took a wicket in his first over, removing Kamindu Mendis for 11.

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj took two wickets off successive deliveries as seasoned all-rounder Angelo Mathews went on the counter-attack with two sixes before being caught for 16, giving Nortje his final wicket.

South Africa also struggled against the pace bowlers, losing two wickets for 23 runs, with Kusal Mendis dropping Tristan Stubbs off Dasun Shanaka.

Captain Quinton de Kock lofted a six before being caught and bowled by his opposite number Wanindu Hasaranga for 20. The leg-spinner then dismissed Stubbs for 13, caught brilliantly by Charith Asalanka diving to his left, before David Miller sealed the victory by whipping a four to long on.

SportsLigue