Zaahier Adams Sri Lanka: 77 all out Nortje 4-7, Rabada 2-21, Maharaj 2-22, Baartman 1-9, Mendis 19 South Africa: 80-4 De Kock 20, Klaasen 19*, Hasaranga 2-17 South Africa win by six wickets The International Cricket Council tries it damnedest to differentiate the T20 World Cup from the often overly glorified Indian Premier League. The strategy relies on promoting the global event as one which showcases a much higher level of class and skill. Well, they have certainly made a point here at the newly-constructed Nassau County International Cricket Ground in New York by serving up a surface much more bowler-friendly than the highways routinely seen at the IPL.
Whether it is the smartest way of attracting a new audience in the uncharted waters of the US remains to be seen, though. The Proteas, who play three of their group matches at the venue, won’t be complaining, though, after claiming a comfortable six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Group D T20 World Cup opener. There was pace and bounce from the outset, which continued throughout the day, while there was also swing with the new ball after Sri Lanka’s skipper Wanindu Hasaranga had surprisingly opted for his team to take first strike.
The lanky Marco Jansen set the tone up front as he immediately settled into a fullish length, which will do wonders for his confidence, after suffering blowouts in his last two matches at the 50-over World Cup in India last year. But it was Anrich Nortje that would have had the biggest s.