On a two-paced pitch with variable bounce and some swing, Nortje became the pick of the bowlers for South Africa with his impeccable accuracy at varying pace, line and length. Ottniel Bartman, Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada bowled impressive spells to bowl out Sri Lanka for their lowest ever score in men's T20Is.
Sri Lanka did not get a chance to take the lead from the start, they were confused when faced with questions from South Africa's bowlers and suffered from poor shot selection as none of the batsmen were able to reach even 20. . The score of 77 is also the lowest. Overall, South Africa has never bowled out an opponent in a men's T20I.Opting to bowl first, South Africa's bowlers relied on swing and extra bounce from both sides to keep Sri Lanka quiet from the start. Bartman struck on his very first ball of the T20 World Cup when Pathum Nissanka bowled his bat at a fuller ball outside the off-stump, but could only get a thick edge to deep third-man.
Nortje came in as the fifth bowler and in his very first over, Kamindu Mendis bowled the ball at square leg. In the next over, Maharaj stepped up to derail Sri Lanka's innings with successive deliveries – Wanindu Hasaranga danced down the pitch for a big hit but was stumped, followed by Sadira Samawickrama caught on a faster ball. Did.
Nortje came back to pull Kusal Mendis to deep square-leg and then dismissed Charith Asalanka to flick it to the fielder in the same area, reducing Sri Lanka's score to 45/6.Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka collectively hit three sixes in nine balls before Rabada edged the top of middle stump.
Nortje completed his four-fer when his short ball reached the hook of Angelo Mathews and flew to top-edge fine leg. Rabada took one run before being run out, ending Sri Lanka's troubles in what was a thoroughly impressive bowling performance from South Africa.Brief Score:
Sri Lanka all out for 77 runs in 19.1 overs against South Africa (Kusal Mendis 19; Anrich Nortje 4-7, Kagiso Rabada 2-21)
Sri Lanka did not get a chance to take the lead from the start, they were confused when faced with questions from South Africa's bowlers and suffered from poor shot selection as none of the batsmen were able to reach even 20. . The score of 77 is also the lowest. Overall, South Africa has never bowled out an opponent in a men's T20I.Opting to bowl first, South Africa's bowlers relied on swing and extra bounce from both sides to keep Sri Lanka quiet from the start. Bartman struck on his very first ball of the T20 World Cup when Pathum Nissanka bowled his bat at a fuller ball outside the off-stump, but could only get a thick edge to deep third-man.
Nortje came in as the fifth bowler and in his very first over, Kamindu Mendis bowled the ball at square leg. In the next over, Maharaj stepped up to derail Sri Lanka's innings with successive deliveries – Wanindu Hasaranga danced down the pitch for a big hit but was stumped, followed by Sadira Samawickrama caught on a faster ball. Did.
Nortje came back to pull Kusal Mendis to deep square-leg and then dismissed Charith Asalanka to flick it to the fielder in the same area, reducing Sri Lanka's score to 45/6.Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka collectively hit three sixes in nine balls before Rabada edged the top of middle stump.
Nortje completed his four-fer when his short ball reached the hook of Angelo Mathews and flew to top-edge fine leg. Rabada took one run before being run out, ending Sri Lanka's troubles in what was a thoroughly impressive bowling performance from South Africa.Brief Score:
Sri Lanka all out for 77 runs in 19.1 overs against South Africa (Kusal Mendis 19; Anrich Nortje 4-7, Kagiso Rabada 2-21)
