South Africa set World Cup records, thrash Sri Lanka by 102 runs
South Africa's bowler Kagiso Rabada (centre) celebrates with teammates after the wicket of Sri Lanka's batter Kusal Mendis during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup match between Sri Lanka and South Africa, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, in New Delhi, Saturday, October 7. Photo: PTI
South Africa rode on centuries from Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram to thrash Sri Lanka by 102 runs in a World Cup match in New Delhi on Saturday (October 7).
Put into bat, the Proteas batters toyed with the Sri Lankan bowlers with Van der Dussen (108 off 110 balls), Markram (106 off 54) and De Kock (100 off 84) smashing quick-fire centuries to lift the side to a commanding total, which was also the highest by a team in the World Cup.
Makram hit the fastest World Cup ton, off just 49 balls. He began with two cracking straight drives for four off Madushanka and brought out every conventional stroke in his book to break the record set by Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien (50 balls for 100) in 2011.
Dilshan Madushanka (2/86) picked up two wickets for Sri Lanka.
Chasing, Charith Asalanka (79 off 65), Kusal Mendis (76 off 42) and skipper Dasun Shanaka (68 off 62) played good knocks but it was not enough.
Gerald Coetzee (3/68) was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa.
Brief Scores: South Africa: 428 for 5 in 50 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 108, Aiden Markram 106, Quinton de Kock 100; Dilshan Madushanaka 2/86).
Sri Lanka: 326 all out (Charith Asalanka 79, Kusal Mendis 76, Dasun Shanaka 68; Gerald Coetzee 3/68).