NEWS
Follow UsAiden Markram scored a century off just 49 deliveries, which is a new World Cup record. On top of that, South Africa had two more centurions in Rassie van der Dussen (108) and Quinton de Kock (100), which helped them set a World Cup record total of 428 against Sri Lanka in Delhi on Saturday (October 7).
The Proteas went on to register a comfortable 102-run victory in the end and have started their 2023 campaign really well. Markram, who was eventually dismissed for 106 off 54, reckons he will not be surprised if the 428 barrier is breached in this World Cup.
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"The way batters are playing nowadays, you wouldn't be surprised if that record is broken in this comp as well. So it's nice for us to be able to go through the gears as a unit. I think a lot of credit has to go to Rassie and Quinny for setting up that platform. It's hard work, always upfront. They bowled well the back end of the powerplay," Markram said at the post-match press conference.
"And their spinners actually started bowling really well just outside of the power play or whenever he came on. So for them to put the hard work in like that and then to allow the middle order to free up nicely. They might not get as much credit as they deserve. So I certainly hope that they do get that credit after tonight."
Markram is also pleased that his side got the ball rolling early in the tournament, given that South Africa can be slow starters in such tournaments.
"We're known to start pretty slowly, be it in a series or maybe world events and things like that, so we put a lot of emphasis on today's game; to start well and play the same cricket we've been playing that's managed to sneak us into this comp," Markram said.
"So I think it's all of those emotions [Emotional celebration by centurions] sort of mixed up and building up. That sort of just comes out, and a lot of pride naturally for the three of us as well. When it's your day, try to cash in and really make it count. So a mixture of quite a lot of things, I would say."
Despite suffering a massive loss, batter Sadeera Samarawickrama reckons that the way Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka and Charith Asalanka batted were huge positives. Mendis got to a fifty off just 25 deliveries, while Asalanka played well in the middle-overs with his side in a spot of bother. Shanka, whose form has been under the scanner, too, took on the bowling well, scoring 68 off 62, including 23 from an over by Gerald Coetzee.
"We are very happy that Kusal Mendis and especially Dasun Shanaka have returned to their usual rhythm. Also, the way Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka gave a lot of confidence to the batting unit of our team was great," Samarawickrama said.
"When we're chasing such a big number, we don't have time to set up in the middle part. I think we always have to play positively. I think it's a significant achievement for us to have been able to play like that in these conditions."
Speaking of the discussion at the innings break, Samarawickrama said there was belief in the team given the surface's true nature. However, losing wickets in the middle-overs denied them an opportunity to get closer to South Africa's total. However, he rues that they do not get similar surfaces to bat on in Sri Lanka, which would have enabled them to prepare better.
"In Sri Lanka, we've played a lot on turning wickets, so chasing such a big score isn't something we typically do. If we get wickets like this in Sri Lanka, the bowlers won't be surprised when we get to a place like this. So, I think we will see pitches like this in Sri Lanka, too," the 28-year-old said.
Samarawickrama reckons nobody should be held accountable for this loss and does not see this as a major dip, given that they have won 13 in a row recently.
"None of us play to lose, and no one should be held accountable, in my opinion. We all play to win. There may be off days. We've won 14-15 matches in a row. So, if we look at the other side, we've won matches too," he said.
"We've only lost three in a row now. We'll try to get back on a winning note after playing well in the next matches. Our team just needs a little momentum, and I think we can achieve what we want in the next match."
Sri Lanka have a chance to turn things around quickly as they take on Pakistan in Hyderabad on Tuesday (October 10). South Africa, on the other hand, take on five-time champions Australia in Lucknow on Thursday (October 12).
