South Africa Crush Sri Lanka To Progress To Cricket WC Semis

Written by Staff

Mar 18, 2015

Written By Jason Humphries | At SuperSport.com

Imran Tahir nabbed four wickets while JP Duminy claimed a hat-trick as South Africa cruised into the ICC World Cup semifinals after a nine-wicket win over Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka, after winning the toss and electing to bat, were bowled out for just 133 off 37.2 overs with legspinner Tahir ending with 4-26 off 8.2 overs while Duminy finished with 3-29 off nine overs.

South Africa had little trouble in reaching 134-1 off 18 overs as the Proteas won their first ever World Cup knockout match on the back of 78 not out off just 57 balls with 12 fours from Quinton de Kock.

Kumar Sangakkara top scored for Sri Lanka with a patient 45 off 96 balls while Lahiru Thirimanne struck an entertaining 41 off 48 balls but only one other Sri Lanka batsman reached double figures as they battled to cope with a bowling performance of the highest quality from South Africa.

South Africa brought a real intensity in the field and the pace trio of Kyle Abbott (1-27), Dale Steyn (1-18) and Morne Morkel (1-27) made early inroads to put Sri Lanka under pressure.

De Kock and Faf du Plessis (21 not out) then shared in an unbroken 94-run second-wicket stand to see South Africa to the win.

South Africa captain AB de Villiers paid tribute to his spin duo of Tahir and Duminy and stressed how important they would be for the rest of the tournament.