South Africa and Sri Lanka opened their T20 World Cup 2024 tournament on June 3. They clashed in a Group D encounter at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York.

Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga won the toss and despite playing on a new surface, decided to bat first. However, the decision backfired horribly as the pitch was suitable for pace bowling. South Africa managed to exploit that well with their seamers.

Kusal Mendis (19), Kamindu Mendis (11), and Angelo Mathews (16) were the only Sri Lankan batters to reach double figures as they were bowled out for 77 in 19.1 overs. Anrich Nortje used the surface brilliantly, taking 4/7, while Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj took two wickets each.

In reply, Sri Lankan bowlers managed to make South African batters sweat it out in the middle. Quinton de Kock (20), Heinrich Klaasen (19*), and Tristan Stubbs (13) were the main run-getters for Proteas as they achieved the target in 16.2 overs with 6 wickets in hand.

Lankan captain Wanindu Hasaranga picked two wickets for Sri Lanka. South Africa gathered two points as the result of this 6-wicket win, but the focus remained on the Nassau Cricket Stadium pitch.

Notably, the surface here is a drop-in pitch, which has been imported from Adelaide Australia, and has been under the watchful eyes of Adelaide Oval’s head groundskeeper Damian Hough.

The cricket fraternity was all conversing on social media about the pitch for this encounter as this was the first-ever international match at this venue and it proved to be a low-scoring affair.