NORTJE BLOWS SRI LANKA AWAY IN PROTEAS' T20 WORLD CUP OPENER

Anrich Nortje was the star of the show as South Africa got their ICC T20 World Cup campaign underway with a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in New York.

Nortje, the Pretoria Capitals fast bowler, finished with incredible figures of 4/7 before the Proteas chased down a surprisingly tricky target of 78.

Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga won the toss and decided to bat at the brand-new Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, east of New York City. The Proteas bowlers set about making him rue his decision as openers Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada found their rhythm and a pitch offering handy bounce and movement off the seam.

It was the change bowlers that did the initial wicket damage though.

Ottniel Baartman had Pathum Nissanka (3) caught by Heinrich Klaasen at third man with his first World Cup delivery. Anrich Nortje did similar, by starting his spell with a wicket-maiden - Kamindu Mendis (11, 1x4) caught at square leg. Then Keshav Maharaj took back-to-back wickets, captain Hasaranga stumped by Quinton de Kock for a second-ball duck before Sadeera Samarawickrama had his off-stump clattered.

That left Sri Lanka reeling at 36/4 after nine overs.

Nortje claimed his second wicket in the 10th over, Kusal Mendis (19, 1x4), caught at deep-square by Tristan Stubbs and in his next over Charith Asalanka (6) departed to a similar dismissal, this time Reeza Hendricks holding onto the catch.

Angelo Mathews, the 37-year-old former captain, attempted a fightback with Dasun Shanaka, even clubbing Maharaj for the first six in the 13th over, but that ended with Rabada pegging Shanaka’s (9, 1x6) middle-stump back. Nortje, in turn, accounted for Mathews (16, 2x6) to complete his remarkable spell and leave the score at 70/8, 16 overs in.

While Rabada dismissed Matheesha Pathirana (0) for his second wicket, Sri Lanka’s final pair did manage to make it to the 20th over of their innings before Nortje produced a pin-point throw to Jansen to have Nuwan Thushara run out for a duck.

"It's been a tough few days but we worked really hard," Nortje said post-match. "I'm very happy and have been feeling good. It just hasn't paid off in the last few games [against the West Indies]. We didn't know what to expect, we just trying to assess the wicket. I think the boys did really well, especially at the start. So really happy with how it went. Not sure if all the games are going to be like this, so we'll have to keep assessing going forward."

The 77 Sri Lanka mustered was their lowest T20 international score and wasn't enough to end a seven-match winless streak against the Proteas.

Despite Reeza Hendricks (4 off 2, 1x4) and captain Aiden Markram (12 off 14, 1x6) falling early, a 28-run partnership between Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs made a significant dent in the chase before De Kock (20 off 27, 1x6) was caught and bowled by Hasaranga.

Stubbs (13 off 28) fell not long after, also to Hasaranga, but then Heinrich Klaasen (19 off 22, 1x4, 1x6) and David Miller (6 off 6, 1x4) saw the match out - combining for an unbeaten 22 runs to secure the win in the 17th over.

Nortje, rightfully, claimed the Player of the Match award.

Main image courtesy: ICC/Getty