• South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 102 runs in their opening game of ODI World Cup 2023.

  • Aiden Markram was named Player of the Match for his brilliant 49-ball century.

ODI World Cup 2023: Twitter erupts as South Africa crush Sri Lanka by a massive margin
Team South Africa (Image Source: Twitter)

Table of Contents

In a thrilling encounter during Match 3 of the ICC Cricket ODI World Cup 2023, South Africa showcased their dominance with a commanding 102- run victory over Sri Lanka. The game played at the Arun Jaitley International Stadium in New Delhi, witnessed a high-scoring battle that kept cricket fans on the edge of their seats.

South Africa’s strong start

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first, setting the stage for South Africa’s strong batting performance. Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram delivered standout centuries as the Proteas amassed a formidable 428/5. Notably, this total now stands as the highest team score in ODI World Cup history, reflecting the South Africa’s batting prowess.

Sri Lanka’s challenging chase

Chasing a monumental target, Sri Lanka faced an early setback as opener Pathum Nissanka departed for a duck. However, wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis showcased exceptional determination and resilience, contributing 76 runs before falling to the premier pacer Kagiso Rabada in the 13th over. Sri Lanka found themselves struggling at 150/5.

Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka’s fighting partnership

Despite the adversity, Charith Asalanka (79) and captain Dasun Shanaka (68) displayed unwavering resolve, stitching together a vital 82-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Their efforts gave Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope.

Also READ: Bangladesh creates a unique record of two wins in international matches on the same day

South Africa’s resolute bowling

Nevertheless, the South African bowlers remained resolute. Lungi Ngidi eventually dismissed Asalanka, and soon after some time Shanaka too departed as it marked the eighth wicket falling. In the end, Sri Lanka fell short by 81 runs, highlighting South Africa’s well-rounded performance in both batting and bowling.

Player of the match: Aiden Markram

The Player of the Match award was rightly presented to Markram for his exceptional achievement of recording the fastest ODI hundred in World Cup history. Markram’s brilliant performance played a pivotal role in securing victory for the Proteas.

Looking Ahead

With this resounding victory, South Africa looks ahead to their upcoming fixtures in the tournament, aiming to build on this momentum and make a strong statement in the global showpiece event. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will seek to regroup and come back stronger in their upcoming matches, determined to leave a mark on the competition.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Also READ: From Zainab Abbas to Ridhima Patak: Meet the ICC Digital Insider team for ODI World Cup 2023

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About the Author:
AMAR PAL SINGH BHALLA
Amar is a sports enthusiast and a talented writer who has found the perfect career that combines his two passions. As a valuable member of Cricket Times, Amar brings his passion for cricket and his talent for writing to the fore, providing readers with insightful and engaging content. Cricket lives rent-free in his mind. A person who views cricket as a metaphor for life. You can connect with Amar at amar.bhalla@crickettimes.com and also follow him on LinkedIn.