World Cup 2023: Records fall as South Africa beat spirited Sri Lanka
Cricket
South Africa and Sri Lanka will begin their World Cup campaign in Arun Jaitley Stadium today.
DELHI (Dunya News) – South Africa dominated Sri Lankas as the Protest recorded 102-run win in their opening match of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 at Delhi Stadium on Saturday.
Lankans were bowled out for 326 as they were pursuing the world cup’s highest-ever total of 428 runs. They thus produced a spirited performance with the bat as Kusal Mendi made 76, Charith Asalank 79 and Dasun Shanka scored 68 to help team achieve the massive target.
No other player could score above 10, except Kasun Rajitha from tail order, who made 33 runs.
Proteas bowler Gerald Coetzee took three wickets while Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj picked two wickets each. Lungi Ngidi grabbed one scalp in the match.
South Africa's enormous total of 428/5 set a new record for the highest-ever total at a Men's Cricket World Cup, bettering the previous best of 417/6 by Australia against Afghanistan in Perth in 2015.
Quinton de Kock was first to the milestone, departing for 100 from 84 balls, before Rassie van der Dussen contributed 108 from 110.
The brilliant century from Markram was further punishment for a Sri Lankan side who had already seen two Proteas batters reach triple figures.
Read more: Thank you Aiden Markram - fans adore fastest ODI World Cup century
Markram departed the crease for 106 from 54 after a blistering innings that featured three sixes and 14 fours, with a strike rate of 196. And his phenomenal effort helped South Africa move beyond a total of 400 – the first time such a mammoth score has been made in this tournament and just the fifth time in men’s Cricket World Cup history.
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 7, 2023
And the hat-trick of tons - for the first time in Men's Cricket World Cup history - equals the record for the most in a men’s ODI innings.
Squads
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.
Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha
