SL VS RSA - 4th Match, Group D, ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2024

On a treacherous wicket South Africa begin their World Cup campaign well. Some thinking to do for Sri Lanka though. Their batting and shot selection was not the greatest today but they will hope to get that right going forward. On that note we sign off from here. On behalf of everyone here, be well, take care and sleep well. Good night!

Aiden Markram | South Africa captain: Happy with the win. The batting was little up and down, probably speaks to quite a tough wicket and luckily we found ways to score on this. It was a tough one from a batting point of view, we try as much as we can to take the pitch out of it, we can take some learnings from it and we are experienced. Lots of different conditions as we move around, fortunately we have our next two here so we know what's coming but it's important to adapt as we go ahead. [on Nortje] Was not worried about him but a fantastic day for him, from a mental confidence point of view. He is massively loved in the changeroom, boys are incredibly happy and proud of him, hopefully this kicks off a great World Cup for him.

Wanindu Hasaranga | Sri Lanka captain: Our batters tried for 160-170. To be honest this was a 120 wicket especially with our bowlers. We went with our strength - our bowling, that's why we batted first. We wanted to put a score and then defend. This is early in the tournament and we have three more games, we want to do much better, especially with our batting talent. If our batting does well, we can finish well.

STAT: The run rate of 4.42 in this match is the lowest ever in a T20 World Cup match and second lowest in a T20 International between two Full Member sides. Lowest: 3.83 by NZ (60 in 16.5) vs Ban (62 in 15) in Mirpur, 2021

Anrich Nortje | Player of the Match - Definitely, this will get some momentum going. Tough few days, we've worked hard and it's nice to get some momentum. Very happy, I've been feeling good from the last few games, finally great to have a good game and get a few wickets. The guys did well to restrict them to a low score. Been a while since I got many wickets and was happy to be helpful in the team's win. We needed to assess as quickly as possible (on the conditions), it was up and down at times (on the wicket), I needed to hit my straps, hit the wicket hard, it was important that we got some early wickets. It was a tough one, practicing on these drop-in wickets is hard, we weren't able to bowl on the pitch on the pre-match day, the plans were simple, that helped me, I just need to get my rhythm better in the next few games.

Coming to the pitch and the conditions, it was spungy, two-paced, sticky, variable bounce and extremely difficult for strokemaking. The outfield being slow made it even more painful for the players and this was quite a challenging wicket for a T20. Just the first game here where there are still 7 more games to be played. Will be interesting to see if the drop-in pitches play any differently in those games. Remember South Africa will play two more games here so they will be pleased that they got off to a winning start which should help them going forward. Group D is the group of death as it has Netherlands and Bangladesh too. All set for fascinating battles ahead. Stay tuned for the presentation....

13:36 Local Time, 17:36 GMT, 23:06 IST: On a tricky pitch with an outfield that was very slow, South Africa have managed to sneak through. It was set up by their bowlers who bundled Sri Lanka out for just 77. If anyone expected the chase to be straightforward then Sri Lanka made sure it was not the case. Every run was earned from a South African point of view as the pitch and conditions made for some hard watching if you are a T20 fan expecting slam-bang cricket. Thushara got Reeza early but de Kock knuckled down and despite the loss of three more wickets, Klaasen hit a six and a four to ease the tension at the end. Sri Lanka will rue the fact that they did not show application while batting and did not assess the pitch or the conditions well. That's where the game was lost. Another 30-40 runs on this and it could well have been a different story.

Hasaranga to Miller, FOUR, Miller finishes it off. South Africa get off to a winning start. Hasaranga tries the offbreak but Miller is up for it, comes down the track and takes it on the full, drives it hard and wide of long-on

Hasaranga to Klaasen, 1 run, fraction short outside off this legbreak and Klaasen cuts to sweeper cover

Theekshana to Miller, no run, this has pitched well outside the leg-stump and Hasaranga wastes a review. Skids on and raps Miller on the pad as he misses the tuck, but the loud appeal comes to nothing against umpire Richard Kettleborough and the review is wasted

Theekshana to Klaasen, 1 run, back of a length on the stumps, Klaasen short-arm jabs to deep mid-wicket, on the bounce to the fielder

Theekshana to Klaasen, no run, good length outside off, Klaasen punches to cover

Theekshana to Miller, 1 run, back of a length on the stumps, Miller pulls wide of mid-wicket

Theekshana to Klaasen, 1 run, pushed through on a good length on the stumps, Klaasen punches to long-on

Theekshana to Klaasen, no run, flat good length on off, Klaasen watchfully defends off the back foot

Rajashi: This is the most hard fought T20i match between two test playing nations I have ever watched while defending a score of less than 80! Had SL got to 100, they would have a better chance to win this one!

Rajashi: This is the most hard fought T20i match between two test playing nations I have ever watched while defending a score of less than 80! Had SL got to 100, they would have a better chance to win this one!

Hasaranga to Miller, no run, tossed up on the stumps, Miller makes room and for a moment he eyed the big hit, then pushes it back and Hasaranga dives to his right to make another excellent save

Hasaranga to Klaasen, 1 run, length just outside off, Klaasen goes on the back foot to pull, did not get all of it, wide of long-on as it was in the air

Hasaranga to Klaasen, FOUR, again too full and Klaasen belts it straight down the ground, makes room and thrashes it flat and straight, hit with so much power too

Hasaranga to Klaasen, SIX, that's way too full and Klaasen feasts. Was tossed up outside the leg-stump, Klaasen gets forward and lofts miles over long-on, was in the hitting range and the pressure is released

Hasaranga to Klaasen, no run, length delivery on the stumps, punched to Hasaranga's left who gets across and cuts it off with a dive. Excellent stop