Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended1560625697

Afghanistan vs South Africa: Proteas record first victory of Cricket World Cup with nine-wicket hammering

Re-live the action below

Callum Rice-Coates
Saturday 15 June 2019 13:11 BST
Comments
Cricket World Cup: Five batsmen to watch

Your support helps us to tell the story

My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.

Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.

Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond

Head shot of Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

South Africa finally got a World Cup win under their belt as they eased to a nine-wicket triumph over Afghanistan at Sophia Gardens on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a semi-final berth.

Leg spinner Imran Tahir took 4-29 as he engineered an Afghani collapse after a 75-minute rain break as they were dismissed for 125. Chris Morris contributed with figures of 3-13 and Andile Phehlukwayo took two wickets for 18.

The South Africans then set about the slightly adjusted target of 127 from 48 overs in cautious fashion, reaching 131-1 with 19 overs to spare. Re-live the action below:

1560610190

16.0 Sri Lanka 120-1 Dimuth Karunaratne 65 Lahiru Thirimanne​ 1

What had been a good over from Starc ends on a sour note as Karunaratne flicks the ball away for four. He'll be the man Australia are targeting over the next few overs.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 15:49
1560610271

17.0 Sri Lanka 122-1 Dimuth Karunaratne 66 Lahiru Thirimanne​ 2

Just two runs from Maxwell's fourth over. That brings up drinks.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 15:51
1560610650

17.3 Sri Lanka 123-1 Dimuth Karunaratne 67 Lahiru Thirimanne​ 2

Close! Sri Lanka look for a quick single and Karunaratne has to race to the striker's end. Khawaja collects the ball and throws at the stumps, but misses with the batsman stretching.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 15:57
1560610959

19.0 Sri Lanka 131-1 Dimuth Karunaratne 73 Lahiru Thirimanne​ 4

Maxwell ships eight from the 19th over as Karunaratne cuts the ball to backward point for four. Things have been a little less relentless since Perera's wicket, but Karunaratne continues to tick along nicely.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 16:02
1560611119

20.0 Sri Lanka 135-1 Dimuth Karunaratne 76 Lahiru Thirimanne​ 5

Behrendorff comes back into Australia's attack in place of Starc and, despite being the most expensive of Australia's bowlers so far, restricts Sri Lanka to four from the over. The batting team need 200 more from 30 remaining overs.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 16:05
1560611344

21.0 Sri Lanka 139-1 Dimuth Karunaratne 78 Lahiru Thirimanne​ 7

A good over from Maxwell - just four from it. Karunaratne is on his way to a first ever ODI century.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 16:09
1560611604

22.0 Sri Lanka 141-1 Dimuth Karunaratne 79 Lahiru Thirimanne​ 8

The runs have dried up a little for Sri Lanka. They take just two from Behrendorff's latest over and the required run rate climbs to 6.93.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 16:13
1560611858

23.2 Sri Lanka 148-1 Dimuth Karunaratne 81 Lahiru Thirimanne​ 12

Another close call for Sri Lanka's batsmen as they look to sneak a quick single. It's a risky move with Maxwell alert and ready to take aim at the stumps. Thirimanne just about gets across but he would have been out with a direct hit.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 16:17
1560612070

23.4 Sri Lanka 153-1 Dimuth Karunaratne 82 Lahiru Thirimanne​ 16

Thirimanne hits a brilliantly timed square drive and gets what feels like the first boundary in an age.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 16:21
1560612102

23.5 Sri Lanka 153-2

WICKET! Thirimanne (16) b Behrendorff c Carey

Moments after Thirimanne gets his first boundary, he's gone! A top edge runs through to Carey who takes an easy catch. That could prove to be a big breakthrough for Australia.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 16:21

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in