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Million hearts began to sink when as they watched Sri Lankan veterans Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene congratulating the winnings South African pair on crease after Quniton de Kock hit the winning runs. Because they knew it is the last of Sangakkara and Jayawardene presence as players in the cricket’s biggest tournament. In the first quarterfinal of 2015 Cricket World Cup, South Africa demolished Sri Lanka by 9 wickets at the Sydney Cricket Ground. With this win they not only register their first win in the knockout stage but also become the first semifinalists of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. One can watch the full video highlights of Quarter Final 1 of ICC World Cup 2015, South Africa vs Sri Lanka on the official website of Star Sports.
Prior to the match, there were talks regarding the importance of toss and its outcome on the result of the match. At Sydney Cricket Ground, the team batting first held a fabulous 14-6 record in its favour and Sri Lanka seemed a jovial side as they won the toss and readily opted to bat first.But Angelo Mathews decision to change the openers batting position by sending Kusal Perera in place of Lahiru Thirimanne along with Tillakrathne Dilshan backfired. Both the players were sent packing by South African strike bowlers Kyle Abbott and Dale Steyn in five overs of the innings. From there on, Sri Lankan innings could never recover with wickets falling in heaps. Must read: Kumar Sangakkara painted, sang a lullaby and played cricket – all with a bat!
For South African bowlers it was one big party as their in-form spinner Imran Tahir picked four wickets giving mere 26 runs. The biggest surprise for the day was all-rounder JP Duminy’s hat trick that left Sri Lankan side gasping for breath. One expected a moment of turning point in favour of Sri Lanka with rain pouring down after the dismissal of Kumar Sangakkara in 36.2 overs. But the match resumed minutes later with Sri Lanka managing a paltry 133 runs on board. Must Read: JP Duminy’s hat-trick, Kumar Sangakkara’s quiet innings in SA vs SL Highlights.
Chasing a score of 134, there were hushed talks regarding South African side choking again but AB de Villiers side were well placed and it was mere formalities as they reached target in 18 Overs with Quinton de Kock hitting 78 runs off 59 deliveries.
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