LONDON: Hashim Amla’s composed century set up a 96-run victory for South Africa over Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy on Saturday.
Amla’s 103 was backed up by Faf du Plessis’ 75 and JP Duminy’s 38 not out as South Africa posted 299-6.
Sri Lanka was bowled out for 203 in the 42nd over, legspinner Imran Tahir taking 4-27.
Sri Lanka fought back well after Amla’s and du Plessis’ 145-run second-wicket stand looked to have set South Africa up for a huge total. The Sri Lankans made a stunning start to their chase, but failed to get near its target despite a stunning start to its response.
Niroshan Dickwella and captain Upul Tharanga put on 68 runs in eight overs, but when Dickwella was caught off the bowling of Morne Morkel for 41 from 33 deliveries, the wickets never stopped falling.
Tharanga did his best to hold the innings together with a 69-ball 57, but the trickery of Tahir, introduced in the 18th over, proved too much as he dismissed the captain along with Chamara Kapugedera and Asela Gunaratne to turn the momentum.
From then on, the only resistance came from Kusal Perera’s 44 not out as Chris Morris picked up two wickets, and Kagiso Rabada got one as Sri Lanka was bowled out.
The final margin of victory was clear, but South Africa had to overcome a slow start to post it’s winning total, having been put into bat by Tharanga, who was standing in for injured skipper Angelo Mathews.
South Africa scored just 44 runs in 12 overs when Quinton de Kock was caught behind off Nuwan Pradeep, and the medium-pacer almost had his second wicket shortly after as du Plessis, on 8, skied a hook shot into the leg side.
The opportunity fell to Lasith Malinga, making his first ODI appearance in almost two years, but he lost his footing as he trod on the boundary rope before spilling the ball.
Malinga also failed to take a wicket in his 10 overs but, after all his injuries, he will be relieved to have come through the innings apparently unscathed.
Du Plessis went after the bowlers, allowing Amla to calmly reach his 25th ODI century, tied for fifth best all-time.
Amla, Tahir lead South Africa past Sri Lanka
Amla, Tahir lead South Africa past Sri Lanka
Sabalenka sets up potential Raducanu showdown at Australian Open
- Sabalenka is favorite to win a third Australian Open in four years, having been defeated in the final 12 months ago by Madison Keys
MELBOURNE: Top seed Aryna Sabalenka set up a potential third-round showdown with Emma Raducanu at the Australian Open after a straight-sets win Wednesday over Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan.
The world number one saw off the awkward Bai 6-3, 6-1, having threatened at one stage to complete the job in even more express fashion.
Britain’s 2021 US Open champion Raducanu plays Russia-born Austrian Anastasia Potapova later Wednesday at Melbourne Park, with Sabalenka lying ominously in wait.
Sabalenka is favorite to win a third Australian Open in four years, having been defeated in the final 12 months ago by Madison Keys.
“Tricky opponent,” said the Belarusian.
“Super-happy to close the (first) set, it gives me confidence that my game is there, my focus is there.
“Step by step. Super-happy with my win. There is always a little gap to improve.”
Sabalenka won the first nine points in a row to surge into a 2-0 lead at Rod Laver Arena against her outclassed opponent ranked 702 in the world.
After just eight minutes it was 3-0, then 5-0, with Sabalenka seemingly intent on getting the job done in time for an early lunch.
But the 23-year-old Bai, playing the biggest match of her life, worked through her nerves and finally held serve.
She then stunned center court by breaking Sabalenka’s serve to reduce the deficit to 5-2, and doggedly held her own serve for 5-3.
The 27-year-old US Open champion Sabalenka was beginning to show signs of frustration as she saw numerous set points come and go.
She finally got the job done after 39 minutes on her seventh chance, slamming a ball she was holding in her hand down on the court in a flash of anger.
The second set was more serene, Sabalenka’s superior power taking its toll as she sealed the match in 72 minutes.
