Twitter Reactions: Faf du Plessis, Amla and bowlers shine for South Africa in pride-salvaging affair

South Africa have already been eliminated from the 2019 World Cup, and their match against Sri Lanka at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street didn’t hold any significance for them. But the encounter was an important one for the Lankans, who had a realistic chance of making it through to the semis. Nevertheless, the Proteas handed them thumping nine-wicket defeat and have made it very difficult for Sri Lanka.

It can be said that the Lankans threw away a rather decent start after being put in to bat first. Kagiso Rabada sent back Dimuth Karunaratne for a golden duck following which Kusal Perera (30) and Avishka Fernando (30) put on 67 runs off 58 balls. A rash shot from Fernando gave Dwayne Pretorius, playing his first game, his maiden wicket. A couple of overs later, Pretorius castled Perera to get rid of both the set batsmen.

From number three to eight, all the Lankan batsmen got into the 10s and 20s, but none could go and score big. Owing to the frequent loss of wickets, the Islanders could only manage 2013 and were bowled out inside the 50 overs. Pretorius was their standout performer with a spell of 10-2-25-3. Morris also picked up three wickets to choke the batsmen. Rabada also did reasonably, conceding 36 runs and getting two wickets.

Amla and Du Plessis do the job

South Africa made a steady start to their run as Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock put on 31 for the first wicket off 29 deliveries. De Kock promised with three boundaries to score 15 and it needed a searing Yorker from Lasith Malinga to account for his wicket. Nevertheless, Amla and Faf du Plessis didn’t allow any pressure to build. Both had lackluster campaigns in the World Cup, but they took a determined approach.

Amla was the first to notch his second half-century of the mega event in a mere 56 balls. A few overs later, Du Plessis accomplished his milestone off 70 balls. Their century partnership was raised in 122 balls and they played cautiously to steadily take the Proteas to the second win. Even as Amla stayed not out on 80, the Proteas pulled off a 102-ball 99. South Africa chased down the runs with 77 deliveries to spare.

Here is how Twitter reacted to South Africa’s victory: