ICC World Cup 2019: Twitter Reacts As South Africa Keeps A Lid On Sri Lanka's Scoring Rate

Sri Lanka posted 203 runs after South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and decided to bowl first. Faf du Plessis’ decision to bowl first was proven right on the very ball of the innings when Kagiso Rabada bowled a bodyline short bowl to Dimuth Karunaratne. The Sri Lankan captain could not keep it out and the ball ballooned to Faf du Plessis.

Subsequently, Avishka Fernando and Kusal Perera added a partnership of 67 runs for the second wicket. Both the batter scored 30 each at a good rate to get back their team on track. However, both the batsmen were dismissed in quick succession.

South Africa was all over Sri Lanka.

Fernando tried to go big against Dwaine Pretorius and Faf du Plessis took a good catch while going back at mid-off. Furthermore, Perera dragged the ball back on to the stumps when he tried to cut the ball.

Angelo Mathews once again could not up with the scoring rate and took 29 balls for his 11 runs. The experienced batsman was dismissed when he chopped the ball back on to the stumps like Kusal Perera.

Kusal Mendis threw away one more start as he was dismissed after scoring 23 runs. Furthermore, Dananjaya de Silva gifted his wicket away when he tried to reverse sweep JP Duminy on the first ball the part-time spinner bowled.

South Africa was right on the money.

Jeevan Mendis took his time as he chewed 46 balls for his 18 runs before miscuing the pull against Chris Morris. Dwaine Pretorius was the pick of the bowlers as the medium pacer took three wickets and conceded only 25 runs in his 10 overs. Thisara Perera was dismissed after when he found Kagiso Rabada at deep square leg while attempting a pull shot against Andile Phehlukwayo.

Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada scalped three and two wickets respectively whereas Andile Phehlukwayo and JP Duminy snared one wicket apiece.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Sri Lanka’s innings:

I thought i had seen everything on a ground until i saw the bee attack and all the players lying flat on their belly to escape them #SLvSA

— Alok Baba (@tiwarialok91) June 28, 2019

A lot of Bees on the ground – Indian parents are not going to be happy #SLvSA

— The Bad Doctor (@DOCTORATLARGE) June 28, 2019

Nobody

Literally nobody

Players during 48th over #SLvSA pic.twitter.com/Yq93yHO1bs

— Bertrand Zobrist (@AB_arpit) June 28, 2019

Couldn't Catch That Because Of Bees -Faf Du Plessis #SLvSA

— Chatil Panditasekara (@ChatilPandi) June 28, 2019

Stop whatever you are doing.

Thisara Perera is batting.#CWC19 #SLvSA

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 28, 2019

@KumarSanga2 simply nailing it in comms. #slowwickets #master #SLvSA #CWC2019

— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) June 28, 2019

Dismissed first ball of a WC match

Hannan Sarkar v SL Pietermrtzbrg 2003
B Taylor v Can Nagpur 2011
M Guptill v WI Manchester 2019#DimuthKarunaratne v SA Chester-le-Street 2019#SLvSA #CWC19

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) June 28, 2019

Sri Lanka anthem today – 3 minutes
Dimuth Karunaratne innings today – 10 seconds#SLvSA #CWC19

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 28, 2019

Superb insight from @KumarSanga2 on not trying to force the pace on slower pitches…the harder you go, the earlier you lose shape. Well said, legend ☺️? #CWC19 #SLvSA

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 28, 2019

Bee ? attack in Durham..amazing!!! #SLvSA

— Hemant (@hemantbuch) June 28, 2019

South Africa and bees! A sweet love story. #CWC19 #SLvSA

— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) June 28, 2019

Can't see SL seriously making the last 4. #SLvSA #CWC19

— Ian Pont (@Ponty100mph) June 28, 2019

Imran tahir when he is chasing the ball
Imran tahir when he takes wicket..#SLvSA pic.twitter.com/VZ6pyLY6uv

— ashaadbhooti (@SomaariSiddha) June 28, 2019

What a way to begin! @OfficialCSA drawing first blood early on, they want to run through this batting unit quickly!#CWC19 #SLvSA

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) June 28, 2019

#SLvSA in a picpic.twitter.com/gxD61mpRvE

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 28, 2019

You don't see that every day.

A swarm of bees has stopped play, all the players have dropped to the floor.

Just your average World Cup cricket match in Durham.

Live ➡ https://t.co/EAKypajyYg #bbccricket #SLvSA #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/N57l6096UN

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) June 28, 2019

70% of Earth is covered by water. Rest 30% is covered by Imran Tahir after he takes a wicket.#SLvSA pic.twitter.com/XImivjQSjr

— Sharad Kotriwala (@ModijiKaHathHai) June 28, 2019