"It was a clinical performance and give us good confidence going into the next game" - Temba Bavuma

South Africa registered an emphatic 102-run win over Sri Lanka in the fourth match of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first. Put into bat, Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram smashed quickfire centuries and posted a massive total of 428 in their allotted 50 overs.

While chasing, Sri Lanka lost two quick wickets. But Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka scored fifties but lack of contribution from others made things tough for them. And they eventually lost the game as well.

Who said what after the match?

Temba Bavuma said: “Happy. Wanted to win the game and that’s exactly what we did. It was a clinical performance and give us good confidence going into the next game. It did seamed a bit under lights, but the ball was coming on nicely and you could see how they (the batters) were able to use the pace nicely. It was all about adjusting to the conditions and we thought it is going to be a bit variable in the second half. If we can take these learnings and we need to adapt whatever is in front of us. Next game I don’t think (the pitch) is going to be too different. Quinton will be fine, didn’t take the field (in the second innings), but I think he will be fine (for the next game).”

Dasun Shanaka said: “I expected high scoring game today with the kind of batting line-up South Africa have. We missed our lengths and the execution wasn’t there. We should have kept them to somewhere around 370 and that would have been a bit manageable. We got some batters who were striking it really well, but there was too much to do. Missing those three bowlers (Chameera, Hasaranga and Theekshana) is huge, but that’s the part of the game, we have to move on and it’s an opportunity for others. We need to get our execution right in the next game.”

Aiden Markram, who won the Player of the Match said: “Feels fantastic. The platform was laid beautifully by Quinny and Rassie. Gave us the freedom. Some days it comes off, some days it doesn’t. Pretty clear with what’s expected of me as a batter. Like every other team, we try to play a positive brand of cricket. Initially you want to get a feel for the wicket. Ultimately it’s about backing your options. Happy with how it worked out. The wicket played really well. The ball was travelling. Feels good to be on the positive side of things. To start well was in the World Cup was important and something that we talked about.”