By Returning from a back injury, Anrich Nortje led South Africa to a six-wicket win against Sri Lanka in their 2024 T20 World Cup opener. He took a career-best 4 for 7 on a tricky New York pitch. Nortje, with Keshav Maharaj, dismantled Sri Lanka’s middle order, reducing them to 40/5 at the halfway mark, their lowest ever in men’s T20Is. Despite a brief counterattack, South Africa’s pacers closed out the innings, bowling Sri Lanka out for 77, their lowest T20I total. South Africa stumbled in their chase but secured victory with 3.4 overs to spare.
Where the Match Was Won: Middle Overs
South Africa had to fight for every run. They scored only one more than Sri Lanka in the nine-over phase, but the wickets column made the difference. Sri Lanka lost six wickets in quick succession, as Nortje and Maharaj wreaked havoc. In contrast, South Africa lost just two wickets for their 45 runs, helping them inch closer to victory.
Sri Lanka
Pacers Dominate Early
PowerPlay: 24/1 (RR: 4, 4s: 2)
Marco Jansen, with his fuller lengths, troubled the batsmen with the new ball, especially Pathum Nissanka. Nissanka eventually fell to extra bounce as Ottneil Baartman, picked ahead of Gerald Coetzee, struck with his first delivery. Baartman continued to trouble Kusal Mendis in his next over. Overall, Sri Lanka struggled to score, managing only 24 runs in the PowerPlay.
Nortje and Maharaj Wreck Middle Order
Middle Overs: 44/6 (RR: 4.89, 6s: 3)
Nortje added to the pressure, having Kamindu Mendis caught at square leg in a wicket-maiden first over. Maharaj then struck twice in two balls, breaking Sri Lanka’s middle order. Skipper Wanindu Hasaranga, promoted to no. 4, fell for a two-ball duck, attempting a swing across the line and missing completely. Sadeera Samarawickrama, trying to cut a ball that wasn’t short or wide, saw it rattle the stumps. Mendis, who scored 19 off 29, perished attempting to pull Nortje’s short ball, only to be caught by Tristan Stubbs at deep square leg. In Nortje’s next over, Charith Asalanka flicked a half-volley straight to deep square leg, leaving Sri Lanka at 45/6. Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka briefly counterattacked, but Rabada cleaned up Shanaka on 9.
Sri Lanka Bowled Out Cheaply
Death Overs: 9/3 (RR: 2.15, 4s: 1)
With their innings in disarray, Sri Lanka suffered further when Nortje returned and dismissed an aggressive Mathews with another short ball. Rabada completed his four-over spell with a wicket-maiden, removing Matheesha Pathirana for his second wicket. A run-out on the first ball of the final over wrapped up Sri Lanka’s innings for their lowest ever T20I total.
Nortje’s Stellar Performance Leads to Sri Lanka’s Defeat
South Africa
Struggling de Kock Holds Fort
PowerPlay: 27/2 (RR: 4.5, 4s/6s: 1/1)
The chase was tougher than the scorecard suggests. South Africa had to work hard for their runs and lost two early wickets in the PowerPlay. Nuwan Thushara struck in his opening over, removing Reeza Hendricks, who was caught behind. Aiden Markram hit a classy cover drive for six, but Dasun Shanaka cut short his stay with a ball that seamed away, taking the leading edge to slips. Quinton de Kock, struggling to shift gears, held one end up as South Africa fared only slightly better than Sri Lanka.
Hasaranga’s Two Wickets in Vain
Middle Overs: 45/2 (RR: 5, 4s/6s: 1/2)
Tristan Stubbs had a tough time in the middle but, with de Kock, put on 28 runs, the game’s best partnership. Their grind ensured against a collapse, unlike Sri Lanka. Hasaranga gave Sri Lanka hope, taking two wickets in successive overs. De Kock chipped one back to the bowler, and Stubbs was caught by Asalanka. Heinrich Klaasen, however, ended Sri Lanka’s hopes with a six and a four off Hasaranga, sealing the game.
Miller Finishes Off in Style
Death Overs: 8/0 (RR: 6, 4s: 1)
In a game where boundaries were rare, Miller hit the winning runs with a skip down the track to Hasaranga, finishing the match with 22 balls to spare.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 77 all out in 19.1 overs (Anrich Nortje 4-7, Keshav Maharaj 2-22) lost to South Africa 80/4 in 16.2 overs (Quinton de Kock 20; Wanindu Hasaranga 2-22) by 6 wickets.
