South Africa defeat Sri Lanka by 4 wickets
This is certainly a World Cup of last over thrillers. There have been some very close finishes already and we are not even halfway into the tournament. The first encounter on Saturday’s double header was another such affair when Sri Lanka and South Africa locked horns in a crucial group 1 encounter.
Sri Lanka started off their innings with the same confidence that they have done this whole tournament. Even though they lost Kusal Perera early in the 4th over when they had just 20 runs on the board. However young opener Pathum Nissanka kept playing a very mature innings while wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Something which has been a problem for Sri Lanka throughout this World Cup.
In what was an outstanding innings Nissanka played a blinder of a knock in somewhat very difficult conditions. He scored 72 runs in 58 balls hitting 3 sixes and 6 fours. Thanks to his innings Sri Lanka finished with a score of 142 on yet another tricky Sharah pitch. 130-140 has been a very competitive total.
South Africa started off rather in an alarming manner on a tricky pitch. South Africa lost two wickets inside the first 4 overs and their chase was in a spot of bother. However, Captain Temba Bavuma kept ticking off at the other end while wickets were tumbling on one end. To make matters worse, Wanindu Hasaranga managed to get a hatrick and turn the tide totally in Lanka’s favour.
But,
It was time for the Miller show.
With 15 required in the final over on a very sluggish pitch, Miller just showed his class and why is still one of the better finishers in the game and he was able to hit two sixes in the final over and helped take South Africa gain two very important points as far as their world cup campaign is concerned.
England defeat Australia convincingly by 8 wickets
If there are two teams to beat in this edition of the T20 World Cup, it is Pakistan in group 2 and England in group 1. England and Australia locked horns in a crucial group 1 encounter where England outplayed Australia in all three departments.
Batting first, Australia were struck early when David Warner was dismissed for 1 in the second over by Chris Woakes and since the Australian innings never got going. Captain Aaron Finch was the lone warrior on one end while wickets kept tumbling at the other. He scored 44 in 49 balls and Australia could manage a less than competitive total of 125 runs after being bowled out in the 20 overs they played.
Whatever chances Australia had to make even a little game out of this were blown away by how Jason Roy and Jos Buttler started the innings with a bang and blew Australia’s chances away. Jos Buttler scored 71 runs from 32 balls that included 5 sixes and 5 fours and helped England win the game easily by 8 wickets and that too in just 12 overs winning with 8 wickets and 8 overs to spare. England are now the table toppers in group 1 with 3 wins from 3 games.
