ICC Men's T20 WC'24: South Africa Tops Sri Lanka by 6 Wickets, Nortje Shines

Tearaway pacer Anrich Nortje achieved career-best figures of 4-7, spearheading a dominant and disciplined bowling performance from South Africa, which led to their six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their Group D match of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. The teams faced a two-paced pitch with variable bounce and some swing, making it difficult for batters to execute their strokes on a bowler-friendly surface. In these conditions, Nortje excelled with his impeccable accuracy in varying pace, line, and length, emerging as the standout bowler for South Africa, as they bowled out a lackluster Sri Lankan side for just 77 in 19.1 overs.

Barring winning the toss, nothing went right for Sri Lanka, as they were pushed on the backfoot from the get-go. The 2014 champions were never allowed to get going from the start, being caught in two minds when faced with probing questions posed by South Africa’s bowlers. They also suffered from poor shot selection, as none of the batters touched even 20, with just three players getting into double figures.

Electing to bowl first, South Africa’s bowlers found swing both ways and extra bounce to keep Sri Lanka quiet from the word go. Baartman struck with his first ball in a T20 World Cup when Pathum Nissanka threw his bat at a fuller ball outside off-stumps, but he could only give a thick edge to deep third man.

Nortje came in as the fifth bowler and struck in his first over as Kamindu Mendis whipped straight to square leg. In the next over, Maharaj stepped in to derail Sri Lanka’s innings on consecutive balls - Wanindu Hasaranga danced down the pitch for a big hit, but was stumped, followed by Sadeera Samawickrama castled by a quicker delivery. Nortje came back to have Kusal Mendis miscue a pull to deep square leg and followed it up by enticing Charith Asalanka to flick towards the fielder in the same region to reduce Sri Lanka to 45/6. Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka collectively hit three sixes in nine balls, before the latter’s top of middle stump was rattled by Rabada.

Nortje completed his four-fer when his short ball rushed Angelo Mathews on the hook and top-edge flew to fine leg. Rabada took one before a run-out ended Sri Lanka’s misery in what was a totally dominating bowling performance from South Africa. In the chase of 78, South Africa lost Reeza Hendricks and captain Aiden Markram in quick succession. While Hendricks edged to the first slip off Nuwan Thushara, Markram gave a leading edge on the on-drive to slip for a low catch off Dasun Shanaka.

Quinton de Kock held his ground to score a 27-ball 20 before being caught and bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga. Charith Asalanka made a spectacular two-handed catch at short cover to dismiss Tristan Stubbs for 13 off 28 balls, also on Hasaranga’s bowling. Heinrich Klaasen hit Hasaranga for a six and a four, before David Miller sealed the modest chase by driving the Sri Lankan captain wide of long-on for another boundary, ensuring South Africa started their campaign on a high note.