South Africa were destructive in the match from the start and looked determined to shun their chokers tag as they reduced Sri Lanka's batting line-up with their bowling hailstorm. Imran Tahir clinched four wickets and all-rounder JP Duminy got a hat-trick.
South Africa registered their names in World Cup history books by winning a knockout match for the first time, post thrashing Sri Lanka by nine wickets in their quarterfinal tie at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday,
The Proteas were aided by JP Duminy's hat-trick and Quinton de Kock's blitzkrieg with the bat.
South Africa were destructive in the match from the start and looked determined to shun their 'chokers' tag, as they reduced Sri Lanka's batting, thanks to Imran Tahir, who clinched four wickets and all-rounder JP Duminy, who registered a hat-trick.
Choosing to bat first, Sri Lanka were bowled out for a paltry 133 in 37.2 overs, with wicketkeeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara (45) and Lahiru Thirimanne (41) doing their bit, while the rest of the team fell in just single digits.
Cricket World Cup 2015 Quarterfinal Sri Lanka v/s South Africa: Proteas break knockout jinx with thumping victory
Openers Kusal Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan failed to get Sri Lanka to a solid start as they were bowled out for their three and zero respectively, which left the team struggling at 4 for 2 in the fourth over. Thirimanne provided a little relief with his 41-run knock as he partnered with Sangakkara and took the team beyond the 100-run mark.
South Africa v/s Sri Lanka : JP Duminy claims first hat-trick of 2015 World Cup
However, the rest of their batting line-up struggled to find pace with the bat, with skipper Angelo Mathews and paceman Lasith Malinga being the only others to score above 10. Pace spearhead Dale Steyn clinched the crucial wicket of Dilshan for a duck, while Kyle Abbott and Morne Morkel also scalped a wicket each.
Duminy was unstoppable with the ball as he clinched a hat-trick and conceded just 29 runs in the nine overs he bowled, which included a maiden over. It was also the first hat-trick of the tournament. Tahir was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa as he scalped four crucial wickets with his legbreaks and conceded just 26 runs in 8.2 overs.
South Africa easily chased down the 134-run target with nine wickets remaining. Opener Hashim Amla scored 16, with De Kock and Faf du Plessis chasing down the target with scores of 78 and 21 respectively. De Kock finally found form with the bat as he punished the Sri Lankan bowlers, knocking 12 fours in the process.
Tahir was named the Man of the Match for his four-wicket haul.
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