DELHI: Aiden Markram recorded the fastest century ever at an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup to encourage the Proteas thump Sri Lanka by 102 runs in their tournament opener at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday.
South Africa’s T20 International captain plundered 14 fours and three sixes in a world-wind 106 off 54 balls – reaching three figures in only 49 balls – and was one of three centurions along with Quinton de Kock (100 off 84 balls, 12 fours, 3 sixes) and Rassie van der Dussen (108 off 110 balls, 13 fours, 2 sixes).
The trio helped Rob Walter’s side amass the highest team total ever scored in the history of the global spectacle after they posted a formidable 428 for five.
In reply, the Asian side were bowled out for 326 with more than five overs to spare. Youngster Gerald Coetzee marked his tournament debut by being the pick of the bowlers with three for 68 on what was a forgettable day all-round for those with ball in hand.
Nonetheless the result ensured the Proteas made the perfect start in their World Cup quest as they climbed second on the table, behind Modern Zealand on net run-rate.
The South Africans broke a number of other records too as they punished the Sri Lankan bowlers after being asked to bat first at the start.
After losing captain Temba Bavuma (8) early, De Kock and Van der Dussen place together a partnership of 204 for the second wicket, the highest ever for all wickets against the island nation.
The pair took their side to 214 in the 31st over when the baton was handed over to Markram, who was in devastating touch.
He reached 50 in 34 balls, before needing honest 15 more deliveries to reach his century, beating the previous 50-ball record of quickest century at a World Cup set by Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien against England in 2011.
Along the way, Markram shared quick-fire partnerships with Heinrich Klaasen (32) and David Miller, who ended the innings strongly for the Proteas with an unbeaten 39 off 21 balls.
It was only the third time in an ODI and first time at a World Cup that a single innings included three centurions.
With that backdrop, it was over to the South African bowlers and they landed an early blow through Marco Jansen (2/90) after he bowled Pathum Nissanka for a second over duck.
Kusal Mendis thrashed eight sixes and four fours in a dazzling 76 off 42 balls but he kept losing partners at the other terminate.
Kusal Perera (7) was also bowled by Jansen, while Kagiso Rabada (2/50) eventually accounted for Mendis leaving the total on 109 for three.
Sadeera Samarawickrama (23) followed two runs later to Coetzee, and when Dhananjaya de Silva (11) fell to Keshav Maharaj (2/62), Sri Lanka had slipped to 150 for five.
Charith Asalanka then top-scored with 79 (65 balls, 8 fours, 4 sixes), putting on 82 with Dasun Shanaka (68 off 62 balls, 6 fours, 3 sixes) as they breathed modern life into the chase.
However, Lungi Ngidi (1/49) eventually broke the stand and from there the Sri Lankans plummeted, eventually falling all out in 44.5 overs.
South Africa’s next assignment is against Australia in Lucknow on 12 October.
Source: cricket.co.za
Makhaya Ntini: Makhaya Ntini makes it to the 8th on the list. He resonates with the million Africans who aspire to play for their nation. Ntini was the first black player to play for the South African cricket team.
Despite his feet off the pitch, he never failed to amaze on the pitch. Ntini is the 3rd highest wicket-taker for the proteas in all the formats. He has picked 661 wickets in 283 matches. He was also the 3rd player for the proteas to pick 300 Test wickets after Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock.
Sleepwalker
The cricket pitch is 20.12 meters (22 yards) in length and 3.05 meters (3.33 yards) in width. The length of 22 yards is considered a chain, which was used as a standard of measurement for land during the 18th century. The chain is 1/10th of a unit of measurement called furlong, which is the average length of land that a team of workers could plough in one day.
Sir Squire
First African Nation that Hosted the FIFA World Cup: In 2010, South Africa was the first African country to host the FIFA World Cup, and what an event it was! The Inter Press Service team agrees with Tim that it was one of the best FIA World Cup seasons that the world has witnessed. The event was so colorful that the fun was increased multiple times. They also used vuvuzelas, making the event more fun to look at.