South Africa beat Sri Lanka, reach Semi-final in World Cup

South Africa outplayed Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Quarter-Final at Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday. With an easy win, the Proteas broke their dubious long-standing record of never winning a World Cup knockout match.

South Africa were left with just 134 runs to chase, thanks to the discipline balling attack from both pace and spin department which included a hat-trick from Duminy. Young Wicket-keeper and opener Quinton de Kock then scored a superb unbeaten 78, as South Africa won by nine wickets with 32 overs to spare.

Sri Lanka managed to take the wicket of Hashim Amla, but it was too little and too late. Along with Faf du Plessis, de Kock chased the winning target with ease. Sri Lankan “mystery spinner” Tharindu Kaushal bowled well but did not put any pressure, while the rest of the bowling seemed very easy to score.

Earlier, the Proteas routed Sri Lanka for a paltry 133. Inform batsman Kumar Sangakkara battled through but couldn’t get right support from other batsmen to build a much needed partnership. Lahiru Thirimanne tried to counter attack and scored a quick 41, but after his departs wickets fell regularly.

South African spinner Imaran Tahir, who took 4 wickets for 26 runs, was adjudged as Man-of-the-Match.

Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 133 in 37.2 overs (Kumar Sangakkara 45, Lahiru Thirimanne 41; JP Duminy 3 for 29, Imran Tahir 4 for 26) lost to South Africa 134 for 1 in 18 overs (Quinton de Kock 78*; Lasith Malinga 1 for 43) by 9 wickets.