South Africa beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in Monday’s T20 World Cup fixture at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, United States of America.
The Proteas limited Sri Lanka to 77 all out in 19.1 overs. This is Sri Lanka’s lowest total in T20I cricket.
Fast bowler Anrich Nortje took four wickets. These are his best figures in T20I cricket. Spinner Keshav Maharaj and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took two wickets each. Seamer Ottneil Baartman took one wicket.
South Africa reached 80 for four 16.2 overs in reply. Batsmen Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen hit 20 and 19 not out, respectively.
“The win means a lot. It’s nice to get some momentum going,” said Nortje, who was named Player of the Match for figures of four for seven in four overs.
“I’m very happy with my performance. I’ve been feeling good, but it has not paid off in the last few matches. This time, some wickets went my way. Everyone bowled well. Kudos to them.
“It has been a while since I have had these sorts of figures – I’m happy with the four wickets. We didn’t know what to expect from the pitch. We were on the money with our accuracy. I was happy to hit my straps and hit the wicket hard. I’m not sure if this pitch is always going to play the way it did.
“I can find it hard to bowl on these drop-in wickets sometimes. It’s about adapting as quickly as possible. I definitely felt off here and there, but the plans came together and the rhythm got there eventually.”
Seamer Gerald Coetzee, batsman Ryan Rickelton and spinners Bjorn Fortuin and Tabraiz Shamsi are in South Africa’s squad, but were not named in Monday’s XI.
The Proteas’ next group D match will be against the Netherlands at the same venue on 8 June.
This will be followed by matches against Bangladesh and Nepal in New York and St Vincent, respectively.
South Africa have never won the T20 World Cup. They have exited the tournament at semi-final stage twice.