Welcome to the LIVE coverage of the ICC World Cup, 1st Quarterfinal between South Africa and Sri Lanka from the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney.Scorecard | Quarterfinals Guide
Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first against South Africa.
It will be a highly-charged contest between two powerful batting line-ups as former champions Sri Lanka take on superbly talented but traditional under-performers South Africa in the first quarter-final of the cricket World Cup in Sydney.
In a quest for their maiden title, South Africa last made the semi-final in 2007. The other times they made the grade was in 1992 and 1999. The Proteas' redoubtable teams of yore have fallen at crunch matches on the biggest stage; they either failed to hold their nerves, or lady luck ran out, and once the rain washed them out.
In contrast, Sri Lanka, who lifted the title in 1996 and finished runners-up in 2007 and 2011, are known for their cool and unflinching temperament on big days.
The SCG could see a run feast because of the batting friendly track and the sheer quality of willowers on both sides. But it will be interesting to see what the bowlers come up with to hamper the party.
South Africa vs Sri Lanka(head-to-head)
The two teams have faced each other at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Total Played(ODIs): 59
South Africa: 28
Sri Lanka: 29
Tied: 1
No Result: 1
Last ODI: South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 82 runs at Hambantota on July 12, 2014.
Journey to the World Cup quarterfinals
South Africa(Played 6, Won 4 and Lost 2):
- Beat Zimbabwe by 62 runs. (David Miller and JP Duminy starred in a record 256-run fifth wicket stand to sink Zimbabwe)
- Lost to India by 130 runs. (Could not contain India's top order and imploded while chasing)
- Beat West Indies by 257 runs. (De Villiers blasted a 66-ball 162 not out and they shot out West Indies in 34th over)
- Beat Ireland by 201 runs. (Centuries by Amla and Du Plessis set the tone for another huge win)
- Lost to Pakistan by 29 runs (D/L method). (Bowled out Pakistan in 47th over but faltered in chase)
- Beat UAE by 146 runs. (Solid middle order batting laid foundation for easy win)
Sri Lanka(Played 6, Won 4 and Lost 2):
- Lost to New Zealand by 98 runs. (Blown away by breezy knocks from Brendon McCullum and Corey Anderson)
- Beat Afghanistan by four wickets. (Jayawardene century helps them escape a potential upset)
- Beat Bangladesh by 92 runs. (Centuries by Dilshan and Sangakkara set up big win)
- Beat England by nine wickets. (Sangakkara and Thirimanne hit tons to chase down a 300-plus target with ease)
- Lost to Australia by 64 runs. (Glenn Maxwell's 53-ball 102 trumps Sangakkara ton)
- Beat Scotland by 148 runs. (Sangakkara and Dilshan hit tons in facile win)
Top performers at World Cup
South Africa:
AB de Villiers (417 runs): Enhanced his 360-degree batting reputation with scintillating shot-making. Third in the run-getters' list with a mind-boggling 144-plus strike rate.
Morne Morkel (13 wickets): Outshone pace colleague Dale Steyn, generating disconcerting bounce from lively pitches to trouble opponents.
Sri Lanka:
Kumar Sangakkara (496 runs): Became the first batsman to hit four successive World Cup centuries and looks unstoppable.
Lasith Malinga (11 wickets): Getting better with every match while sending down toe-crushing yorkers and slow bouncers with characteristic regularity.
Winning formula
South Africa: Need to negate Kumar Sangakkara's red-hot form and see through Lasith Malinga's tricky overs.
Sri Lanka: Contain dangerous AB de Villiers and bat around veteran Kumar Sangakkara.
Teams(from):
South Africa: AB de Villiers(c), Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock(wk), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews(c), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara(wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Kusal Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Upul Tharanga, Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Seekkuge Prasanna.
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