1st Quarter Final match of ICC Worldcup 2015 has been played between Sri Lanka and South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground today. Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka collapse against South African spin attack and finished in 37.2 overs scoring just 133 runs. JP Duminy 3 wkts and Imran Tahir picked-up 4 wickets for South Africa. South Arica chased successfully given target in 18 overs and won the match by huge margins of 9 wickets. Imran Tahir declared man of the match for his superb bowling with 4 wickets spending just 26 runs.
Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first. Sri Lanka could not made batter start and lost both openers just on teams score 4 runs in 4.1 overs. KC Sangakkara and HDRL Thirimanne came in middle and for few overs played sensible cricket and kept wickets in hand. HDRL Thirimanne made good 41 runs before he departed. In form batsman KC Sangakkara also contributed well 45 runs. Other lower order batsmen could not understand South African spin bowling well and lost wickets in regular interwals. Sri Lanka managed to put very low score of 133 runs and all out in 37.2 overs.
In reply with 134 runs target, South Africa started inning confidently and slowly with HM Amla and Q de Kock initially. Both played sensible cricket and added 40 runs before HM Amla got out scoring 16 runs. Q del Kock did the rest and gave South Africa easy win by 9 wickets and advanced to Semi Final. Q de Kock made unbeaten 78 runs but, Imran Tahir got man of the match for his splendid bowling with 4 wickets.
Player of the match - Imran Tahir (South Africa)
