T20 World Cup 2024, SL Vs SA Highlights: South Africa Outclass Sri Lanka On A Tricky New York Pitch

SL Vs SA: Goodnight!

So, that brings us to end of our Live Blog! It was quite an interesting game with bowlers dominating the proceedings, and let's see how this World Cup unfolds over the course of this month. We will be there at your service throughout this journey, and till the the next game, this is Aashay Chopade signing off on behalf of Muskaan Bhatt and our dedicated OneCricket family. Cheers!

SL Vs SA: Player Of The Match!

Anrich Nortje is the Player of The match for his brilliant spell of 4-0-7-4!!!

SL Vs SA Live Score: Match Summary!

So, another low-scoring affair in this 9th edition of T20 World Cup! Sri Lanka decided to bat first and had they shown little bit application with the bat, they could have been in better position at the end of this game.However, their batters struggled big time as Anrich Nortje and rest of the South African bowlers proved too hot to handle and knocked over Lankans for just 77.

In reply, Sri Lanka bowlers did everything they could do and picked four wickets as well, but the target was too low and the experienced duo of Klaasen and Miller took them home. Two crucial points on the board for South Africa and they would be pretty pleased with their effort.

SL Vs SA Live Score: South Africa Win By 6 Wickets!!!!

David Miller finishes off in style as South Africa get home with 22 balls to spare. It was not an easy chase for South Africa by any stretch of imagination, but they kept their cool in the end, and have started off this World Cup with a comprehensive win. 

SL Vs SA Live Score: Klaasen Shows Power, Proteas Can Breathe Easy Now!

Six and Four From Heinrich Klaasen! This will surely seal the deal for South Africa. Klaasen decides to take on Hasaranga and does so in style!!!

SL Vs SA Live Score: Surely, South Africa Cannot Choke From Here!

South Africa still need 17 from here and have six wickets in hand!!! So, if they throw away this game from here, it would be pretty hard to not call them chokers then...

SL Vs SA Live Score: Lankan Lions Keep Fighting On...Stubbs Departs!

What a catch by Charith Asalanka! A fuller delivery from Wanindu Hasaranga and the man at short covers takes a superb low catch as Stubbs tries to find a boundary with a drive. 

SL Vs SA Live Score: 151.5 KPH Yorker Brings Klaasen To His Knees!

The yorker specialist - Pathirana delivers a killer yorker over 150 kph....and Klaasen just about manages to get his bat down in time. He falls on the ground in the process, but this is what Matheesha Pathirana can do!!

SL Vs SA Live Score: Skipper Hasaranga With A Crucial Blow, Quinny Departs!

A soft, soft dismissal for Quinton de Kock! A nice loopy delivery on off and Quinton de Kock just chips it straight to Wanindu Hasaranga. Still 27 runs needed!

SL Vs SA Live Score: Is This A Good Pitch For T20 Cricket?

SL Vs SA Live Score: Here Comes...Matheesha Pathirana, Can He Produce Something Special?

The latest T20 sensation is here! The pitch will assist him, but the task is too big. If he can pick two-three quick wickets, South Africa can still be put under pressure on this difficult deck.

SL Vs SA Live Score: A Welcome Boundary For South Africa! 

Mathews pitches it short and Quinton de Kock does not miss out this time. He pulls it nicely and way over deep square leg for a maximum. 39 needed from 73 balls!

SL Vs SA Live Score: Kusal Mendis Has Dropped It!!!

Oh, it would have been another wicket for Sri Lanka, but unfortunately, Kusal Mendis has failed to grab that. A tough chance, but you need to take those, when you have just 77 on the board. A good-length delivery and Stubbs tries to punch it from his crease. He only manages to get an outside edge though, and the ball went to the right of Kusal Mendis who put in a dive, but the ball was dipping and that did not helped his cause.

SL Vs SA Live Score: Shanaka Strikes, Markram Falls! Is There Still Hope For Sri Lanka?

South Africa have been reduced to 23-2!!! It is still South Africa's game, but Sri Lanka are not going down without fighting. The conditions are difficult to bat, and Markram after playing a delightful shot has been removed by Dasun Shanaka. A brilliant catch from Kamindu Mendis as well...

SL Vs SA Live Score: Oh, What A Shot From South African Skipper!!!

That is Aiden Markram at his best!! He is just a delight to watch. Frees his arms, makes room and plays a lovely inside-out lofted drive over extra cover for a six. Stunning!!!

SL Vs SA Live Score: And...Thushara Strikes!!!

Sri Lanka needed an early wicket and Thushara has provided it. A Lovely delivery this, on a good-length, swinging away and Reeza was too tentative in his poke. He gets an outside edge and Kamindu Mendis takes a sharp catch at first slip. Can Sri Lanka build on this?

SL Vs SA Live Score: NO BALL! It's a free-hit! 🤩

Nuwan Thushara bowled a no-ball and it's a free-hit!

QDK hits it however just gets two runs off of it.

SL Vs SA Live Score: We Are All Set For South African Run-Chase!

Angelo Mathews is ready with the new ball, and on the opposite end it is Quinton de Kock ready with his willow. Reeza Hendricks is partnering him and let's see how the two openers go about their business.

SL Vs SA Live Score: South Africa needs 78 runs to win!

An unimaginably dominant performance by SA, they have successfully managed to silence not just Sri Lanka but also their fans.

Their bowlers bowled brilliantly and were relentless throughout the innings and have knocked over Sri Lanka on 77. The Lankan batters failed to adapt to the conditions and never got going and have registered their lowest total in T20Is.

SL Vs SA Live Score: Skipper Markram Takes A Fine Catch, Pathirana Walks back!

Rabada bowls and absolute beauty and Markram, who is stationed at mid on back tracks and takes it a step outside the circle and grabs a stunner. SA is just minutes away from bowling SL out. They are at 71/9 after 17.4 OVERS.

SL Vs SA Live Score: That's A Four-fer for Nortje!

Anrich is breathing fire down at SL, 4/7. YES, 4/7 from 3.4 over. 

Mathews, the last recognized Lankan batter, departs after scoring 16 runs. He could have recovered the ailing SL had he waited a little longer at the crease, however, he doesn't get the timing or placement right on this occasion.

SL Vs SA Live Score: Rabada gets Shanaka! 

And then there were seven gone! Stumps have been destroyed. Not easy to hit Rabada by exposing the stumps and Shanaka learns the lesson the hard way.

SL at 68/7. Can SA restrict them under 100? 

SL Vs SA Live Score: SIX!!!!!! Angelo Mathews at it!

Angelo smashes a maximum off Rabada. SL is at 68/6 after 14.3.

SL Vs SA Live Score: RELIVE THE CLASSY PROTEAS ATTACK VS SL!

SL Vs SA Live Score: Nortje Bowls, Asalanka Falls!

Absolutely magical scenes in New York, SA has removed one more Lankan. 

FLICKED AWAY AND STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! Charith Asalanka practically handed that ball in Reeza Hendricks's hand.

The Lankan batters are just finding the fielders today. They are six down now.

SL Vs SA Live Score: ICYMI!!! 

SL Vs SA Live Score: MAN DOWN! I repeat, MAN DOWN!

What is happening? The Proteas men are at it with no mercy. This time it's kusal Mendis who has to walk back after scoring 19 runs off 30. You could see him struggling, Nortje took full advantage of it. 

Halfway through the innings and half of the Sri Lankan side is back in the hut!

SL Vs SA Live Score: Keshav Maharaj you beauty!

Back to back wickets for SA bowler! First he removed Wanindu Hasranga for a duck and then Sadeera Samarawickrama was quick to walk back on the very next ball as he also fell for a duck.

The Proteas are running through the Lankan line-up. SL is reeling at 32/4. 

SL Vs SA Live Score: WICKET!!! Bye bye Kamindu Mendis!

Nortje strikes gold in his first over! Kusal Mendis departs after lurking around for 15 deliveries. A good start by SA they've successfully restricted  SL for 32/2.

SL Vs SA Live Score:  End of Powerplay!

End of a wonderful powerplay for South Africa. Ottniel Baartman, Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen have built early pressure on the Lankan Lions who have managed just 24 runs for the loss of Pathum Nissanka after winning the toss and electing to bat first.

SL Vs SA Live Score: WICKET!!! Nissanka has to walk back! 

First wicket on the first ball of his first ever ICC tournament, bow down that's  Ottniel Baartman for you! What a way to announce yourself gets Nissanka in a jiffy.

Klaasen out on the boundary settles under this high ball and takes a simple catch. The pressure was building and Nissanka succumbed to it for just 3 runs off 8 balls.

SL Vs SA Live Score: Good overs by Jansen and Rabada!

Good start for Jansen. Extracting some bounce and using his pace well, holds the openers for just a couple of runs after 1 over. Rabada also adds to it, one boundary but made sure to restrict the batters for the remaining balls.

SL Vs SA Live Score: It's on! 🫡

Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka are at the crease to begin their onslaught. Meanwhile, Marco Jansen will bowl the first over.

SL Vs SA Live Score: The match is about to begin soon!

The teams have lined up for their national anthems before the commencement of the match.

SL Vs SA Live Score: The Sri Lankan Craze Is Something Else!

SL Vs SA Live Score: Playing XIs

South Africa Playing XI : Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ottniel Baartman

Sri Lanka Playing XI : Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (vc), Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara

SL Vs SA Live Score: Sri Lanka wins the toss and opts to bat! 🏏

Hasranga after winning the toss said, "Its a good wicket so we just wanted to get a good score. We have a strong bowling attack. We are going with 7 batters, 4 bowlers and 2 allrounders."

SL Vs SA Live Score: What should the team do after winning the toss?

Looking at the past analysis, it is expected that the team winning the toss would opt to bat.

SL Vs SA Live Score: We Are Just Few Minutes Away From The Toss!

It would be interesting to see what the captain winning the toss chooses to do in this big game. It is a morning game, and from what we saw in the practice game at New York, the pacers will get some swing here. Both the teams have some quality pacers in their line-up, and let's see how things pan out during the all-important toss.

SL Vs SA Live Score: Can Aiden Markram Turn Chokers Into Champions?

Aiden Markram will be leading South Africa (X.com)

South Africa are the perennial chokers in world of cricket and they always tend to falter in crunch situations during ICC events. Aiden Markram, the leader of this South African side though has two back-to-back SA20 titles to his name, so the man knows how to win tournaments, and the whole Rainbow nation would be hoping that he changed their fortunes in this T20 World Cup.

SL Vs SA Live Score:  Head-to-head Stats

Sri Lanka and South Africa have played 17 T20I matches against each other. South Africa have mostly dominated these clashes, with 12 wins, while Sri Lanka have won only five matches. In T20 World Cups these two teams have played four matches against each other, three of which have been won by South Africa, while Sri Lanka have won only one. 

SL Vs SA Live Score: How does the Weather look at the Big Apple?

As per the weather predictions, the temperature is expected to be somewhere between 20° C- 26° C all throughout the day. While during daytime, it is expected to be sunny and hot while partly being cloudy; at the night time it will relatively cooler due to wind.

During match time, a cloud cover of 34% has been predicted however as per the forecast there are zero chances of rain. With over 72% humidity, the spectators can enjoy a rain free game as they cheer for their favorite team.

SL Vs SA Live Score: Probable Playing XI

South Africa (Probable XI): Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

Sri Lanka (Probable XI): Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara

SL Vs SA Live Score: Team Preview

South Africa: 

Shifting the focus to the Proteas men, they were recently swept off their feet after losing a three-match T20I series against West Indies just before the World Cup. 

While it did not include several key players due to prior commitments, they would aim to bounce back and commence their journey on a positive note.

Talking about their relationship with the Sri Lanka, they have truly dominated them in the T20 arena, having won seven out of ten last encounters. 

They would aim to use their strength to the fullest i.e. their batters on a team that has a relatively weaker lower middle order, thereby increasing pressure on them in later stages of the game.

SL Vs SA Live Score: Team Preview

Sri Lanka:

As is evident from their on-paper WC squad, Sri Lanka has one of the strongest bowling attack. Moreover, coming from their two recent victories over Afghanistan and Bangladesh in respective three-match T20I series, they must be pumped with adrenaline rush and would be desiring for more. 

However, their winning run was jolted by Netherlands as they lost to them by a margin of 20 runs during their warm-up game. This is exactly what has been a big trouble for them, not being able to keep their nerves in check and flake out in some relatively easier situations.

Going forward, Wanindu Hasranga and Co would want to use their vast bowling diversity accurately as it allows Sri Lanka to adapt well to different pitch conditions and opponents, giving them a strategic upper hand unlike the batting arsenal that isn't too reliable as it lacks some big hitters especially in comparison to the opposition.

This significant deficiency could potentially hinder the team's ability to post or chase down large totals. So in simpler terms, the batters would have to support the hard work done by the bowlers and vice versa.

Does it ever drive you crazy...just how fast the night changes? 🥹

From IPL to the T20 World Cup it's been quite a while! Well then let's not waste time any more and get on the groove...

This is your host Muskaan Bhatt and I'm glad to take you through the enthralling clash between Sri Lanka and South Africa at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York today! I will also be joined by my co-host, Aashay Chopade soon. 

Let's get right to it then! Buckle up mates!😉