South Africa bowlers sink Sri Lanka

BRISBANE: South Africa's bowlers, led by Corné Dry, put in a commanding performance to skittle Sri Lanka out for 150 and set up a comfortable win for their side in their Group D encounter at the Peter Burge Oval in Brisbane.

South Africa's suffered a few jitters in their chase before they overhauled the target in 33 overs to top their group with three wins.

South Africa captain Chad Bowes won the toss and elected to field and the decision paid immediate dividends as Dry struck with the first ball of the game to dismiss Sebastian Perera. Sri Lanka struggled to recover from the disastrous start and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. At 98 for 9, they looked in danger of being bowled out for less than 100. However a dogged last-wicket partnership of 52 between No. 9 Pulina Tharanga and No. 11 Amila Aponso helped take the score to 150 before Aponso was dismissed in the 38th over. Tharanga remained unbeaten on 50, the only Sri Lankan batsman to get past 50, in what was a dismal batting effort from them.

South Africa's chase started shakily as they lost Quinton de Kock and Shaylin Pillay to slip to 21 for 2. However, an 80-run stand for the third wicket between Chad Bowes - who top-scored with 46 - and Theunis de Bruyn (42) steadied the innings. Offspinner Tharindu Kaushal then struck as South Africa lost three quick wickets to stutter to 126 for 5 before Murray Koetzee (19 not out) held his nerve to carry his team home.