Amla, Tahir script 96-run win over Sri Lanka
For brief periods, Sri Lanka threatened to open some familiar wounds in the South African camp, but just couldn’t sustain the promise for long enough in their Group B clash of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 at The Oval on Saturday.
It resulted in a successful start for world No. 1 South Africa, which defended its 299 for 6 to bowl Sri Lanka out for 203 in 41.3 overs despite an initial scare, Imran Tahir bagging four wickets to headline the bowling effort.
The 96-run win was set up by the run machine in Hashim Amla, who crossed more milestones by becoming the first South African and the fastest ever to reach 25 One-Day International centuries. He scored his runs in the same manner he breaks records – with ease, without fuss, and without too many even noticing. It was also mighty effective and his 103 was just the knock South Africa needed on a relaid pitch that wasn’t exactly the batting paradise the venue has been of late.
Amla’s knock was crucial as the game was won, and lost, in the middle overs of each innings.
South Africa bossed the period while batting as Amla shared a 145-run stand for the second wicket with Faf du Plessis (75) after a slow start. Sri Lanka fought well on either side of the partnership despite having only four specialist bowlers, but with the bat, the Asian side went the other way, collapsing after being 94 for 1 in the 12th over.
After opting to field, Sri Lanka came out with a definite and effective plan of bowling straight, and not giving any room to Quinton de Kock and Amla to free their arms. De Kock managed only four runs off his first 20 deliveries and took 24 balls for his first boundary, while Amla took 28 for his as South Africa scored only 32 runs in the first ten overs.
Nuwan Pradeep reaped the reward from the pressure built by Lakmal and Malinga when he induced a de Kock edge to the wicket-keeper in the 13th over. Pradeep nearly had another one soon when du Plessis skied a short ball to fine-leg, only for Malinga to miss the chance.