South Africa vs Sri Lanka ICC CWC Match 4 Report

South Africa vs Sri Lanka ICC CWC Match 4 Report: South Africa raised a huge 428-run total with the power of Quentin de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock, and Aiden Markram’s blistering centuries and bowled out Sri Lanka 102 runs to the target to register the win in their first match of the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi.

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Century Rain in Delhi

South Africa vs Sri Lanka ICC CWC Match 4 Report — Getty Images

The standout feature of this game was the remarkable centuries scored by Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock, and Aiden Markram. Aiden Markram’s century, achieved in just 49 balls, is now the fastest in World Cup history. This trio of centuries is only the fourth time in the history of One-Day Internationals (ODIs) that a single team has produced three centurions.

Record-Breaking Game

The game saw a lot of records being shattered. South Africa’s total of 428 is the fifth-highest score by a team in a World Cup game. It was also the highest score at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. In terms of boundaries, the game saw another record. The ball was sent to the boundaries 107 times, which is the most in a World Cup game. The game also witnessed the highest aggregate score in a men’s ODI World Cup match.

The Fight was on, But the Ship Drowned before Dawn

While Sri Lanka faced a tough task to chase down the enormous total, they displayed remarkable determination. As per the South Africa vs Sri Lanka ICC CWC Match 4 Report, Kusal Mendis led the charge with 76 off 42 balls, with his fifty coming in just 25 deliveries. Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka also contributed fifty, keeping the game alive for a while.

However, this match belonged to the South African batsmen, especially Aiden Markram, whose controlled yet explosive century overshadowed the others. His innings of 106 off 54 balls showcased both power and precision. The partnership between Markram and Quinton de Kock, who scored a more measured century, set the stage for South Africa’s dominance.

South Africa’s batting display was a masterclass, with each successive batter outshining the previous one. Even after losing wickets, the onslaught continued, with contributions from Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller. It wasn’t just a one-off performance; it demonstrated the team’s potential for repeat excellence.