World Cup 2023: Sri Lankan captain Shanaka blames the defeat against South Africa on the bowlers.

 

 In the fourth match of World Cup 2023, South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by a huge margin of 102 runs. For South Africa, Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram played important roles in helping the team win by playing brilliant century innings. After the defeat, Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka said that we were missing lengths regularly, we were not able to bowl well. 

Shanaka said, "I expected high scoring. Rassie, Quinney, Markram scored brilliant centuries. We were missing the length regularly, we were not able to bowl well. We will have to change that when we play again. We were hoping to keep them to 350-370, we thought it would be manageable given the form of Aslanka and Mendis but we couldn't deal with the extra runs. I'm happy with the positive intent in batting with the ball. The first ten overs were also good. Need to sharpen for the next game."

Batting first, South Africa scored 428 runs losing 5 wickets in 50 overs. For South Africa, Rassie van der Dussen scored 108 (110), Markram 106 (54) and De Kock scored century innings of 100 (84). De Kock and Dussen made a partnership of 204 (174) runs. Dilshan Madushanka took maximum 2 wickets for Sri Lanka. 

For Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka scored half-centuries of 79(65), Kusal Mendis scored 76(42) and captain Dasun Shanaka scored 68(62). Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee took maximum 3 wickets for South Africa. 

SA's playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (captain), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada. 

SL's playing XI: Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadira Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjay de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Vellalaghe, Mathisha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha.