South Africa's Makhaya Ntini celebrates as he takes the wicket of Sri Lanka's Upul Tharanga. Photo / Reuters
GEORGETOWN, Guyana - A diving run out by Herschelle Gibbs epitomised South Africa's clinical bowling and fielding performance in their World Cup Super Eights match against Sri Lanka this morning.
Tillakaratne Dilshan and Russel Arnold, however, scored half-centuries to boost Sri Lanka to a total of 209 all
out in the second stage match after they had badly struggled earlier.
Fast bowler Charl Langeveldt claimed his career-best return of five for 39.
Gibbs conjured his moment of magic in the 25th over when he swooped on the ball from backward point and dived into the stumps with Chamara Silva (9) well short of the crease.
The dismissal was reminiscent of Jonty Rhodes' dive in the 1992 World Cup to run out Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq. Rhodes is now South Africa's fielding coach.
The aggressive Sri Lankan batsmen struggled against South Africa's disciplined bowling and Gibbs' effort reduced them to 98 for five in the 25th over.
A sixth-wicket stand of 97 between Dilshan and Arnold salvaged the innings somewhat, but the South Africans will be confident of overhauling the Sri Lankan total.
Dilshan scored 58 before he slashed a drive off fast bowler Makhaya Ntini to third man, where Justin Kemp took a well judged catch.
Arnold's innings of 50 ended when he played an ill judged sweep to Langeveldt and skied a catch to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.
The match was the first to be played at Providence Stadium, where the pitch offered consistent bounce and the outfield was reasonably fast despite recent rain.
South Africa made one change, bringing in left-arm spinner Robin Peterson for batsman Ashwell Prince.
Sri Lanka replaced Dilhara Fernando with fellow fast bowler Farveez Maharoof in their only change.
- REUTERS
