That's a wrap on Match 4 of the Cricket World Cup 2023. It was a run feast in Delhi and we hope all of you enjoyed it. Do join us tomorrow for the big India vs Australia game live from Chennai. Stick around for more cricketing actions across the globe in our network across formats.
For now, this is Ayan Chatterjee signing off on behalf of my co-commentators AkshayaKrishna Polya, Sidharth Gulati,Arijit Kundu alongside scorer/analyst Paras Yadav. Stay safe, happy, and cool. Goodnight and CHEERS!
Most Boundaries struck in a single World Cup game: -South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Delhi, Today- 105 -West Indies vs New Zealand, Wellington, 2015- 93 -Australia vs South Africa, Basseterre, 2007- 89
-Sri Lanka vs Kenya, Kandy, 1996- 84
Temba Bavuma (South Africa Captain):"Happy Pommie. Happy that we won the game in the end. Individually, we did well. Three centuries for us and then the bowlers executed their job well.
It was a good toss to lose. We timed the balls well and placed the gap and we did that. I think the conditions were variable.
We had to adjust the conditions and we had preconceived notions. Adaptability is the key to success as far as I am concerned.
The way Kusal Mendis took the bowling to the cleaners is a learning curve that we have to bowl better according to the conditions. Keshav Maharaj varied his pace and took the pace off the ball. That was a learning curve for us.
Quinton is fine and should be fine for the next match. Different conditions in the next game and we have to be at our best. Thank You."
Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka Captain): "I expected a high-scoring match. Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram got those great hundreds. We expected to keep South Africa to 350-370, but we lost wickets. (Charith) Asalanka and Kusal (Mendis') showed good form but we couldn't deal with the extra runs. We need to get a lot of things right in the next game."
Aiden Markram (POTM): "Yeah, thanks Kass (Kass Naidoo)! Obviously, it feels great (breaking the record of the fastest World Cup hundred). It feels fantastic.
The platform was set by Quinny (Quinton de Kock) and Rassie (Rassie van der Dussen). I had a clear mind and had the freedom to go from the first ball. Some days it comes off, and the other days, it doesn't come off. I don't know how it happens. But as I said, some days it comes off and other days it doesn't.
I don't know what is expected of me as a batter. You need to be smart and positive at the same time. Initially, you need to have a feel of the wicket, and then you can take it from there onwards. Regardless of the result, you have to be trying things out that may not be in your repertoire.
It feels great to start the tournament started for us. It is one of the important ways to go into a tournament. The pitch played well. The ball was travelling and it was indeed an entertaining game. Feels happy (on the win)."
Player of the Match: Aiden Markram
Sidharth: Despite a few misses on the field, a clinical victory for South Africa. Full marks to QDK, Rassie and Markram for their hundreds. South Africa's bowlers, on the other hand, struck at the right time and that made all the difference.
10:20 PM IST and Local Time: What a game we have had in Delhi where numerous records were broken and a graveyard for the bowlers. In the end, it was South Africa who holds off a spirited Sri Lankan challenge to win by 102 runs and start their campaign with a win. The Proteas out batted the Lankans and despite Sri Lanka trying hard, they fell way short of the target.
Chasing a massive 429 for the win, Sri Lanka lost their openers cheaply. But it was Kusal Mendis who started the chase and dominated proceedings with his 76 off 42 balls. Sadeera Samarawickrama scored 23 off 19 balls. CharithAsalanka played well later on and scored 79 off 65 balls. Silva got to double figures. Dasun Shanaka the skipper got back into some form finally with his 68off 62 balls. Kasun Rajitha had fun out there and scored a quickfire 33 off 31 balls. 20 extras given by the fielding side as Sri Lanka ended with 326 in 44.5 overs.
It was a hard day for the bowlers of both sides. Gerald Coetzee was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/68 in 9 overs. A couple of wickets for Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Marco Jansen. Lungi Ngidi got a wicket to his name. Jansen went for 92 in 10 overs.
Earlier in the game, South Africa lost Temba Bavuma early after being put into bat first. But then it was a batting masterclass from South Africa after that as three centuries were scored in an innings. Quinton de Kock scored 100 off 84 balls. Rassie van der Dussen scored 108 off 110 balls. But it was AidenMarkram who stole the show with the fastest hundred in World Cup history as he finished with 108 off 54 balls. Cameos from Heinrich Klaasen (32 off 20), David Miller (39* off 21), and Marco Jansen (12* off 7) helped South Africa power to 428/5 in 50 overs which is the highest score in World Cup history batting first. 23 extras were given by the fielding side.
It was a day to forget for the Sri Lankan bowlers. A couple of wickets for Dilshan Madushanka. A wicket apiece for Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, and Dunith Wellalage. But all of them went for runs as no one was spared today.
So, a win by 102 runs for South Africa as they begin their campaign with a win. Sri Lanka will have to go back to the drawing board and have some work to do. Stay tuned for the presentation ceremony.