In what turned out to be a nightmare swan song for the epic ODI careers of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, once-in-a-generation players that just happened to come along at the same time, the hapless Lankans were bowled out for 133 runs, including one hatrick.
The Proateas wrapped up a ‘clinical massacre’ of a match with the fall of just 1 wicket as they rushed through to the target in a mere 18 overs. Wicket keeper De Kook with half century was ably supported by du Plassis.
Playing what turned out to be his last ODI innings, Kumar Sangakkara – who had scored four centuries in his last four innings – was neutralised through excellent bowling and failure of the rest. His score at various points of the innings read 0 off 15, 2 off 27, 6 off 42, 34 off 90 and out for 45 off 96. He was the ninth man out with the score at 127, only just past the lowest score in a World Cup quarter-final: West Indies’ 112 against Pakistan in 2011.
Also read: Duminy takes World Cup hat-trick