South Africa eased past Sri Lanka to register a nine-wicket win in the ICC World Cup 2019 match played at Chester-le-Street on Friday.

Excellent performances by Dwaine Pretorius, Chris Morris with the ball and Hashim Amla and skipper Faf du Plessis with the bat enabled South Africa to score a big win over a Sri Lankan side which failed miserably with the bat and ball.

Good start by South Africa

Winning the toss and electing to field, South Africa fast bowlers bowled well and struck early with Kagiso Rabada removing skipper Karunarathne (0) caught by skipper Faf du Plessis (0 for one). Kusal Perera (30, 34b, 4×4) and Avishka Fernando (30, 29b, 4×4) added 67-runs for the second wicket and tried to steady the innings. Avishka Fernando (30) departed at 67 for two in the 11.3rd over. Wickets fell at regular intervals and Sri Lanka lost the initiative. They lost Kusal Mendis (23), Angelo Mathews (11), Dhananjaya de Silva (24) and J. Mendis (18) quickly and were reduced to 163 for seven in 39.5 overs. Chris Morris (3 for 46), Dwaine Pretorius (3 for 25) and Rabada (2 for 36) were the wicket-takers for South Africa. Sri Lanka ended up scoring 203 in 49.3 overs.

Amla, Faf du Plessis excel

In reply, South Africa began shakily with opener Quinton de Kock (15) getting yorked by a Lasith Malinga beauty and South Africa were  31 for one in 4.5 overs. Opener Hashim Amla (80 n.o., 105b, 5×4) and skipper Faf du Plessis (96 n.o., 105b, 10×4, 1×6) batted with ease and added an unfinished 175-runs for the second wicket and helped their team register a big nine-wicket win which restored some pride for their country. South Africa scored 206 for one in 37.2 overs.

Australia heads the points table with 12 points, followed by India with 11 points. New Zealand is in the third place with 11 points followed by hosts England in the fourth place with 8 points. Sri Lanka is in the seventh place with 6 points. South Africa is in the eighth place with 5 points from eight games.

Scores

Sri Lanka: 203 in 49.3 overs (Kusal Perera 30, Avishka Perera 30, Kusal Mendis 23, Dhananjaya de Silva 24, Dwaine Pretorius 3 for 25, Chris Morris 3 for 46, Rabada 2 for 36) lost to South Africa: 206 for one in 37.2 overs (Faf du Plessis 96 n.o., Hashim Amla 80 n.o.); Player of the Match: Dwaine Pretorius.