SL VS SA 2018: Twitter Reacts as South Africa Thrash Sri Lanka in the ODI Opener

South Africa registered a pretty comprehensive victory over Sri Lanka in the opening One-day International (ODI) at the Rangiri International Stadium in Dambulla to go 1-0 up in the series.

It was a much-needed victory for the visitors after they were thrashed 2-0 in the Test series. Speedster Kagiso Rabada and spinner Tabraiz Shamsi bagged four wickets each as Sri Lanka was skittled out for 193 in less than 35 overs.

Jean-Paul Duminy, Quinton de Kock and Faf Du Plessis played the pivotal role as the visitors chased the target down in just 31 overs. For the visitors, Kusal Perera showed some resistance. However, they were not able to post something substantial in the end.

The match in brief:

It was Angelo Mathews who, won the toss and elected to bat. Sri Lanka kept losing wicket at regular intervals from the outset. They were never in control of proceedings and was reduced to 36 for five in nine overs.

Moreover, it was superb bowling from Rabada and Shamsi which got the hosts on the mat. However, there seemed no way possible for the hosts to claw their way back. With the way, Rabada was bowling it seemed that they would even fail to score 100.

It was a great partnership of 92 runs between Kusal Perera and Thisara Perera which got Sri Lanka back into the game.

However, Thisara fell just a run short of a well-deserved half-century. His innings of 49 came in just 30 deliveries. it was studded with eight hits to the fence.

On the other hand, Kusal scored a fluent 81 off 72 deliveries, an innings which was studded with 11 fours and a six. However, he failed to reach a well deserved century in the end.

Shamsi and Rabada shine:

Tabraiz Shamsi, the left-arm chinaman bowler came into the attack for his second spell and wiped out the tail with his brilliant performances. But he also claimed four wickets as Sri Lanka failed to cross the 200 mark.

However, the target of 194 was always going to be a relatively easy task for the visiting team. Hence the Proteas reached the target with utmost ease in the end.

Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram were dismissed on 31. From there on, Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis shared a brilliant partnership which more or less sealed the game for the home team.

Later in the day, JP Duminy scored a brilliant unbeaten half-century which eventually helped South Africa win the match by five wickets against Sri Lanka.

In addition, Duminy looked in great touch from the outset and scored an unbeaten 53 of 32 deliveries.

Also, this is how Twiteratti reacted to South Africa’s victory in ODI opener:

@KagisoRabada25 completes his 2️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ Int. Wickets#SLvSA

— Akhil Gupta ? (@Guptastats92) July 29, 2018

If you just woke up in SA, the Proteas lost the toss in Dambulla but the bowlers have given them a dream start with Rabada leading the destruction. SL 40/5 in the 10th over. #SLvSA

— Kass Naidoo (@KassNaidoo) July 29, 2018

Wonder what made @OfficialSLC to give the captaincy to Mathews when Lakmal does so well in Test matches. #SLvSA

— Pavith Perera (@Pavi_Utd) July 29, 2018

Sri lanka's pathetic limited overs form brutally exposed here.
They have been garbage at white ball cricket for quite some time now.#SLvSA

— Akki (@CrickPotato) July 29, 2018

I wonder what was Faf du Plessis thinking. ?
Haade Captain. #SLvSA#ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/3Hi0LxTTmA

— VIRGO (@Kali_Kalito4) July 29, 2018

At least spin mats made it to 47 #SLvSA pic.twitter.com/dzYDrxaDo3

— Snoni (@Snoni_M) July 29, 2018