2023 Cricket World Cup
The South African team managed to win the match between Sri Lanka and South Africa by 102 runs in the World Cup cricket tournament. After winning the toss, the Sri Lankan captain invited the South African team to bat first. Accordingly, Dilshan Madhusankha was able to get out captain Temba Bavuma for 8 runs as the first wicket of the South African innings. However, Rassie Vander Dussen, who joined Quinton de Kock, attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers hard and built a partnership of 204 runs for the second wicket. It was also the highest partnership between two South African batsmen for any wicket against Sri Lanka.
Quinton de Kock, who played an excellent innings, also scored his maiden World Cup century. He became the first South African batsman to score a World Cup century against Sri Lanka. Rassie van Dussen scored 108 runs. And Aiden Markram scored a quick 106 runs facing 54 balls. Record Markram’s century in 49 balls became the fastest century in a World Cup. At the end of their 50 overs, the South Africans managed to get 428 runs by losing only 5 wickets. That figure also became the record for the highest number of runs scored in an innings in a World Cup.
Although Pathum Nissanka was dismissed without scoring as the first wicket of the Sri Lankan team who came to the field to reach a huge target of 429 runs, Kusal Mendis, who joined Kusal Janith Perera, played a fast innings and managed to inflict a heavy blow on the South African bowlers. Kusal Mendis scored 76 runs in 42 balls with 4 fours and 8 sixes. Kusal Mendis became the most number of sixes hit by a Sri Lankan batsman in a World Cup match.
After Kusal’s dismissal, Charith Asalanka scored 79 runs to add some hope to the Sri Lankan team, with 4 sixes and 8 fours. Then the captain Dasun Shanaka took responsibility for the team and engaged in attacking batting, but at an unexpected moment, he was bowled by Keshav Maharaj. Shanaka scored 68. Meanwhile, Kasun Rajitha also scored 33 runs in 31 balls. However, the Sri Lankans are all out by 326 runs in 44 overs and 05 balls.
And the speciality of this match is that the total number of runs scored by both teams is as high as 754. This confirms that Indian pitches are more suitable for batsmen.
However, today the South African team managed to prove that they are the giants of aggressive cricket. It is very clear that the aggressive batting pattern is an essential factor in winning this World Cup. It is very important to keep a high net run rate to qualify for the semi-final.
New Zealand recorded a very high net run rate in their first match. Similarly, Pakistan also achieved a good run rate by winning easily against the Netherlands. Today, South Africa took the lead with their huge victory against Sri Lanka.
From Sri Lanka’s point of view, it is not a good situation. It is doubtful how successful the aggressive batting attack of the Sri Lankan batsmen will be in chasing the 428 runs scored by South Africa. This weakness is also seen in the fact that Kusal Mendis played a very fast innings but was unable to capitalize on it. Also, Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka scored fast, but they were unable to chase 426 runs.
It is a question to what extent the team can use batsmen like Pathum Nissanka and Dananjaya de Silva in this situation. Kusal Janith did not play with much confidence in today’s match.
In order to progress in this tournament, the Sri Lankan team must have a good plan.
However, the International Cricket Council should think about how suitable it is to create this type of wicket in such a prestigious tournament. In order to maintain the intensity of a prestigious cricket tournament like the World Cup, it is essential to prepare a balanced .
