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The first Quarter Final of 2015 Cricket World Cup, Sri Lanka vs South Africa was not the ideal contest any of the cricket lovers would have liked to watch at this stage of the tournament. The much anticipated clash between former World Champions Sri Lanka and hot favourites South Africa turned out to be a downer AB de Villiers side demolishing Asian giants by 9 wickets in a one-sided contest to become first semi-finalists of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. The strong win was a result of impeccable team effort led by some individual performances like JP Duminy’s hat trick, Quniton de Kock’s half century being major highlights. Watch SA vs SL, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Full Video Highlights.
1. Sri Lanka won the toss but openers failed upfront
When Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews won the toss and decided to bat first on Sydney wicket, it looked like half the match has been won. But the joy was short lived asn Lankan openers Kusal Perera and Tillakrathne Dilshan were back in shade under five overs. South African pacers Kyle Abbott and Dale Steyn struck early to reduce Sri Lanka for 4/2, a damage that they could never recover from during their entire innings. Must Read: JP Duminy’s hat-trick, Kumar Sangakkara’s quiet innings in SA vs SL Highlights.
2. Angelo Mathews decision to tamper with set batting position
Lahiru Thirimanne and Tillakrathne Dilshan had gelled well as the opening pair for Sri Lanka, delivering time and again for the side in the tournament. But when Kusal Perera walked into bat along with Dilshan, it looked like odd call. The reason was a fiery, pinch hitting by Perera to help the side score quick runs but it back fired terribly for the islanders.
3. Kumar Sangakkara’s slow and steady innings led to nowhere
Sangakkara who became the first batsman in One Day Internationals (ODI) to score four consecutive centuries and that too at a World Cup stage looked a shadow of himself while playing South African bowling attack. The continuous fall of wickets on the other end did not provide him opportunity to play freely but a batsman of Sangakkara’s talent looked out of sorts and struggling for singles that dented sides hope further. Must read: Kumar Sangakkara painted, sang a lullaby and played cricket – all with a bat!
4. JP Duminy, the bowler takes hat trick
JP Duminy, a part time spinner came to the party when he took Cricket World Cup 2015’s only second hat trick. South African all-rounder J.P. Duminy dismissed skipper Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekara, and T. Kaushal in successive deliveries to cripple the Sri Lankans, who were 116 for eight after 34.2 overs. The first hat trick of the 11th edition is taken by Steven Finn of England against Australia during the group stage.
5. Imran Tahir shines and so does AB de Villiers’ confidence
Imran Tahir has been among the wickets in ICC World Cup 2015 but he continued to impress everyone with his consistency, especially in a crucial fixture like on Wednesday. He took four wickets for 26 runs to leave the opponents hapless and wondering. But one person who deserved more accolades was Proteas skipper AB de Villiers who oozed with confidence right from the first step on the ground.
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