South Africa vs Sri Lanka, ICC World Cup 2023 Match 4: Awards List, Man of The Match, Key Stats, Presentation Ceremony

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: In a high-octane showdown at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, South Africa began their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign with a resounding victory, overpowering the 2011 World Cup finalists, Sri Lanka, by a massive 102 runs.

The match witnessed a spectacular display of batting prowess, setting a new benchmark for aggregate runs scored in World Cup history. Put in to bat first, South Africa unleashed a relentless onslaught on the Sri Lankan bowlers, amassing a staggering total of 428 for the loss of 5 wickets.

Aiden Markram Juggernaut Rolled at Kotla

Aiden Markram, in a display of sheer power-hitting, etched his name in the record books with the fastest World Cup century off just 49 balls. Markram's explosive innings of 106 off 54 balls was a testament to his exceptional talent and set the tone for South Africa's imposing total.

Quinton De Kock (100 off 84 balls) and Rassie van der Dussen (108 off 110 balls) joined forces to form a formidable second-wicket partnership, adding a colossal 204 runs to the scoreboard. Their blistering centuries added to the mounting pressure on Sri Lanka, pushing the boundaries of what was believed to be possible in a World Cup encounter.

South Africa's batting juggernaut continued as they surpassed the previous highest World Cup total ever, Australia's 417/7 against Afghanistan in the 2015 edition. It was a batting masterclass that left cricket fans in awe and sent a clear message to their competitors in the tournament.

Sri Lankan batters failed to convert

In reply, Sri Lanka embarked on a valiant run chase, led by their in-form batter Kusal Mendis, who blazed his way to 76 off 42 balls, and the captain, Dasun Shanaka, who contributed with a gritty 68. Charith Asalanka played a crucial role with a composed 79 off 65 deliveries. However, despite their collective efforts, they fell short of the mammoth target set by South Africa.

Gerald Coetzee, the right-arm South African pace sensation, emerged as the pick of the bowlers, claiming three vital wickets for 68 runs. Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Keshav Maharaj chipped in with two wickets each, ensuring that Sri Lanka couldn't mount a successful challenge.

As South Africa sounded an early warning with their monumental total and comprehensive victory, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 promised to be a tournament filled with thrilling contests and record-breaking performances.

South Africa vs Sri Lanka World Cup 2023: Full List of Awards & Who said what?

Aiden Markram, Player of the Match for scoring 54-ball 106 vs Sri Lanka: Feels fantastic. The platform was laid beautifully by Quinny and Rassie. Gave us freedom. Some days it comes off, some days it doesn't. Pretty clear with what's expected of me as a batter.

Like every other team, we try to play a positive brand of cricket. Initially, you want to get a feel for the wicket. Ultimately it's about backing your options. Happy with how it worked out. The wicket played really well. The ball was travelling. Feels good to be on the positive side of things. To start well in the World Cup was important and something that we talked about.

Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka captain: I expected high-scoring game today with the kind of batting line-up South Africa have. We missed our lengths and the execution wasn't there. We should have kept them to somewhere around 370 and that would have been a bit manageable.

We got some batters who were striking it really well, but there was too much to do. Missing those three bowlers (Chameera, Hasaranga, and Theekshana) is huge, but that's part of the game, we have to move on and it's an opportunity for others. We need to get our execution right in the next game.

Temba Bavuma, SA captain: Happy (with the win). Wanted to win the game and that's exactly what we did. It was a clinical performance and gave us good confidence going into the next game. It did seem a bit under lights, but the ball was coming on nicely and you could see how they (the batters) were able to use the pace nicely. It was all about adjusting to the conditions and we thought it is going to be a bit variable in the second half.

If we can take these learnings and we need to adapt whatever is in front of us. Next game I don't think (the pitch) is going to be too different. Quinton will be fine, didn't take the field (in the second innings), but I think he will be fine (for the next game).

SA vs SL ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Match Key Stats

Highest match aggregates in ODI World Cup: 754 runs - SA vs SL, Delhi, 2023* | 714 runs - AUS vs BAN, Nottingham, 2019 | 688 runs - AUS vs SL, Sydney, 2015 | 682 runs - ENG vs PAK, Nottingham, 2019 | 676 runs - IND vs ENG, Bengaluru, 2011

Most boundaries hit in an ODI World Cup match: 105 - South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Delhi, 2023* | 93 - West Indies vs New Zealand, Wellington, 2015 | 89 - Australia vs South Africa, Basseterre, 2007 | 84 - Sri Lanka vs Kenya, Kandi, 1996

Highest team totals in ODI World Cup: 428/5 - SA vs SL, Delhi 2023* | 417/6 - AUS vs AFG, Perth 2015 | 413/5 - IND vs BER, Port of Spain 2007 | 411/4 - SA vs IRE, Canberra 2015 | 408/5 - SA vs WI, Sydney, 2015

Most 400+ team totals in ODI World Cup: South Africa - 3 | India & Australia - 1

Most 400+ team totals in ODIs: 8 - South Africa | 6 - India | 5 - England | 2 - Australia | 2 - Sri Lanka

Highest team totals for South Africa in ODIs: 439/2 vs West Indies 2015 | 438/9 vs Australia 2006 | 438/4 vs India 2015 | 428/5 vs Sri Lanka 2023*