Proteas earn consolation win over Sri Lanka

The Proteas had already been eliminated from contention for the Cricket World Cup semi-finals when they lined up to face Sri Lanka and with the pressure off eased to victory over the Islanders.

Faf du Plessis won the toss and put Sri Lanka in to bat, trusting the stats rather than his own instincts. That decision looked a great one when Kagiso Rabada struck with the first ball of the match.

Kusal Perera (30) and Avishka Fernando (30) looked good during their 67-run partnership that was snapped by Dwaine Pretorius (3/25) who would prove to be the pick of the Proteas bowlers.

Allrounders Chris Morris and Pretorius skewered the Sri Lanka middle order who weren’t able to put together significant partnerships and struggled to 203 all out. Perera and Fernando top-scored with their twin 30s as Sri Lanka battled against medium pace.

Lasith Malinga opened the bowling for Sri Lanka and after a few loose deliveries sent down a blistering yorker that cleaned up Quinton de Kock.

The modest target allowed skipper Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla to take their time and set the Proteas on course for a comfortable victory. Sri Lanka offered too many boundary balls to the experienced duo who duly punished them.

Sharp reviewing Proteas

Amla was given out leg before on 58 but was encouraged to review by Du Plessis. The review showed the ball from Jeewan Mendis had pitched outside leg. from that point on it became clear the Proteas would win.

Both batsmen would move past the previous top score for South Africa at this World Cup but Du Plessis would pass Amla (83*) posting an unbeaten 96.

The Proteas completed a nine wicket victory with 76 balls to spare. South Africa have now won 18 of their last 22 ODIs against Sri Lanka, and the last six in a row.