South Africans get over the line on a canter

South Africans affected an 8 wicket victory in the final match of the group stages against Defending Champions Sri Lanka.

The final match of the group stages took place yesterday in Delhi between South Africa and Defending champions Sri Lanka. After England’s win against the Lankans two days ago, Sri Lanka and South Africa were ruled out of the tournament. Both teams with only one win under their name badly needed a win to finish off a disappointing world cup.

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Sri Lanka was forced to make two changes due to injuries. Skipper Angelo Mathews had to sit out after pulling his hamstring during that brilliant innings against England and Dushmantha Chameera with a fractured finger after being hit back hard by Josh Butler. They were replaced by Shehan Jayasruiya and Suranga Lakmal. South Africans too made a few changes with Farhaan Behardien and Aaron Phangiso coming in for JP Duminy and Kangiso Rabada. Faf Du Plessis won the toss and asked the Lankans to bat first. Chandimal was given the responsibility of leading the side in the absence of Mathews and he opened the batting with TM Dilshan.

 Sri Lanka vs South Africa – Match Highlights 

The pair got off to a blistering start with scoring 45 runs off just under 5 overs. Phangiso broke the partnership after getting through the defenses of Chandimal in the 5^th over. Lahiru Thirimanna came in at first drop and only lasted one delivery when he was cleaned up again by Phangiso. Thirimanna was a late addition to this team but he could not fire in any of the outings in the WC. Milinda Siriwardane and Dilshan put together 30 runs before Siriwardane ran himself out for 15 runs. Wickets tumbled in a hurry for the Lankans in the middle overs with only Dasun Chanaka getting into double figures in the middle order. The spinners Phangiso and Imran Tahir utilized the pitch very well to block the run flow and create pressure on the batsmen.

The lone hero with the bat for Sri Lanka was again the veteran TM Dilshan who top scored with 36 runs. Cameos from Chandimal and Dasun made sure Sri Lanka get to 120 runs before they were bowled out in the 20^th over. Aaron Phangiso, Kyle Abbot and Farhaan Behardien bagged 2 wickets each. Abbot looked good with the new ball while Behardien made sure that Sri Lanka do not leak much runs in the middle overs.

With just 121 runs to get in 20 overs, South Africa looked to be the favorites to take the win. Quinton De Kock was smartly run out early on by some sheer brilliance in the field by Dilshan. Wickets were the key for the lions if they were to make a game out of this but skipper Du Plessis and Hashim Amla took the game away from the defending champions with well composed partnership of 60 runs. Du Plessis was given LBW to the bowling of Suranga Lakmal when he was going well on 31 runs. Amla was joined by AB De Villiers and the experienced pair took their side home in the 17^th over. South Africans  had a comfortable 8 wicket victory over the Lankans.. Hashim Amla top scoring with an unbeaten 56 runs guided his team to an ideal ending after a disappointing series. The Lankans will head back home with only one win under their name and a lot ponder on their performances in the WC.