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South Africa vs Sri Lanka LIVE: Updates as record Cricket World Cup score posted

Follow all the action from Arun Jaitley Stadium

Sports Staff
Saturday 07 October 2023 18:08 BST
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(Getty Images)

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Aiden Markram smashed a 49-ball hundred, the fastest in the history of the men’s 50-overs World Cup, as South Africa’s rampaging top order helped them thrash Sri Lanka by 102 runs in their tournament opener on Saturday.

There was some brutal batting at the Arun Jaitley Stadium where three of South Africa’s top four batters smashed rapid hundreds to help them rack up a tournament record total of 428-5.

Quinton de Kock struck 100 and Rassie van der Dussen hammered 108 but both were overshadowed by Markram’s incendiary 106 off 54 balls. Markram eclipsed Ireland batter Kevin O’Brien’s 50-ball century against England in the 2011 World Cup.

Former champions Sri Lanka were all out for 326 in 44.5 overs after brief fightbacks by Kusal Mendis (76), Charith Asalanka (79) and Dasun Shanaka (68). South Africa’s mammoth score replaced Australia’s 417-6 against Afghanistan in 2015 as the highest total in the men’s World Cup.

Follow all the latest live coverage of today's match in the live blog below and get the latest Cricket World Cup odds here:

South Africa vs Sri Lanka

36.1

Matheesha Pathirana to Rassie van der Dussen. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed to mid wicket for no runs, fielded by Loku Marakkalage.

7 October 2023 12:29

South Africa vs Sri Lanka

35.6

FOUR! Dunith Wellalage to Aiden Markram. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, well timed past deep backward point for 4 runs.

7 October 2023 12:28

South Africa vs Sri Lanka

35.5

Dunith Wellalage to Rassie van der Dussen. Stock ball full toss, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to long off for 1 run, fielded by Rajitha.

7 October 2023 12:27

South Africa vs Sri Lanka

35.4

FOUR! Dunith Wellalage to Rassie van der Dussen. Stock length ball, outside off stump moves in front Scoop, well timed in the air under control past fine leg for 4 runs.

7 October 2023 12:26

South Africa vs Sri Lanka

35.3

Dunith Wellalage to Aiden Markram. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, to long on for 1 run, fielded by de Silva.

7 October 2023 12:26

South Africa vs Sri Lanka

35.1

Dunith Wellalage to Aiden Markram. Stock length ball, off stump on the front foot driving, to long off for 1 run, fielded by Rajitha.

7 October 2023 12:25

South Africa vs Sri Lanka

34.6

Dasun Shanaka to Aiden Markram. Off cutter back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, bottom edge to mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Wellalage.

7 October 2023 12:23

South Africa vs Sri Lanka

34.5

Dasun Shanaka to Aiden Markram. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Silva.

7 October 2023 12:22

South Africa vs Sri Lanka

34.4

Dasun Shanaka to Rassie van der Dussen. Slower ball full toss, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to long off for 1 run, fielded by Samarawickrama.

7 October 2023 12:21

South Africa vs Sri Lanka

34.3

Dasun Shanaka to Aiden Markram. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by Asalanka.

7 October 2023 12:20

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