Anrich Nortje's record-breaking four-fer helps South Africa bundle out Sri Lanka for 77, start T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with six-wicket win

On a tricky pitch at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, South Africa bowled out Sri Lanka for 77 and then chased down the target with 22 balls to spare. After the batters failed to put up a fight, Sri Lankan bowlers’ spirited effort did not let South Africa chase it down in less than 10 overs and prevented their net run rate (NRR) from taking a massive hit. Anrich Nortje turned out to be the standout bowler as he bagged four wickets for just seven runs to trigger a collapse in the middle overs.

Record-breaking collapse

Earlier, Wanindu Hasaranga won the toss and opted to bat first. Sri Lankan openers got off to a slow start. Ottneil Baartman got the wicket of Pathum Nissanka with the first ball he bowled. Sri Lanka had 24/1 on the board after powerplay overs. Nortje in his first over ended Kamindu Mendis' stay at the crease. Keshav Maharaj in the ninth over struck twice to dismiss Hasaranga and Sadeera Samarawickrama off consecutive deliveries. Nortje continued to dominate and dismissed Kusal Mendis to reduce Sri Lanka to 40/5 at halfway stage.
 

Nortje ended Charith Asalanka's stay at the crease as well. Dasun Shanaka and Angelo Mathews tried to revive the innings with a few big shots. Kagiso Rabada came back into the attack to knock over Shanaka. In his last over, Nortje got rid of Mathews as well. The collapse continued and Sri Lanka were bundled out for 77 with five balls remaining in the innings. This was Sri Lanka’s lowest T20I total. Also, Nortje registered the best bowling figures for South Africa in T20 World Cups.

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Sri Lanka struggle in run chase

In the run chase, South Africa lost Hendricks early to Nuwan Thushara in the second over. Markram hit the first six of the innings before getting out to Shanaka in the fifth over. Tristan Stubbs was dropped in the same over. After six overs, South Africa had 27/2 on the board. Quinton de Kock struggled to get away and Stubbs could not get going either in the middle overs. At the halfway stage, South Africa were 47/2. 

Hasaranga introduced himself in the attack and got the wicket of De Kock. He scored 20 runs from 27 balls. In his second over, he ended Stubbs' stay at the crease. He scoerd 13 runs from 28 balls. In Hasaranga's third over, Heinrich Klaasen hit a six and a four. In the 17th over, David Miller ended the run chase with a boundary. South Africa won the game by six wickets with 22 balls to spare.
 

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