Afghanistan vs South Africa: Proteas record first victory of Cricket World Cup with nine-wicket hammering
Re-live the action below
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Your support makes all the difference.South Africa finally got a World Cup win under their belt as they eased to a nine-wicket triumph over Afghanistan at Sophia Gardens on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a semi-final berth.
Leg spinner Imran Tahir took 4-29 as he engineered an Afghani collapse after a 75-minute rain break as they were dismissed for 125. Chris Morris contributed with figures of 3-13 and Andile Phehlukwayo took two wickets for 18.
The South Africans then set about the slightly adjusted target of 127 from 48 overs in cautious fashion, reaching 131-1 with 19 overs to spare. Re-live the action below:
26.0 Australia 119-2 Aaron Finch 69 Steve Smith 9
Smith looks to be hitting his stride after a slow start. He whips the ball through midwicket for four and Australia take nine off Udana’s fourth over.
28.0 Australia 132-2 Aaron Finch 73 Steve Smith 17
Another Udana over ends with a Smith boundary, this time an expertly played square drive. Australia are still moving along quite slowly, but there's some promising signs from Smith early on in his innings.
29.0 Australia 152-2 Aaron Finch 91 Steve Smith 18
Finch goes big... twice. De Silva, who's been remarkably economical so far, sees his first ball of the over edge for four. Then Australia's captain takes charge, smashing one over long-on for six and another down the ground. Twenty runs come from the over and Finch moves closer to a century.
30.0 Australia 159-2 Aaron Finch 93 Steve Smith 22
Sri Lanka bring Malinga back into the attack but his slingshot bowling does nothing to trouble Smith and Finch. Their partnership has now gone beyond 50 and Australia look to be regaining some control. The run rate is back up above five, too, after a real slump following the fall of the first wicket.
31.0 Australia 168-2 Aaron Finch 94 Steve Smith 30
Siriwardana is bowling from the other end, but his first ball is poor and Smith takes advantage, comfortably guiding the ball for four. That sets the tone for the over, which Australia take nine runs from.
32.0 Australia 176-2 Aaron Finch 95 Steve Smith 35
Malinga bowls a full toss with his first delivery of the over which Smith drives for four. Then comes a wide and a no ball for fielding infringements. Smith has a free hit but Malinga pulls out one of his trademark yorkers to prevent a boundary.
32.2 Australia 182-2 Aaron Finch 101 Steve Smith 35
Brilliant from Finch! He smashes the ball over long-off for six to bring up his century in emphatic style. A superb innings from Australia's captain.
33.0 Australia 185-2 Aaron Finch 102 Steve Smith 36
It's taken Finch 100 deliveries to bring up his first century of the tournament. This has been a measured, skillful and powerful innings.
35 Australia 195-2 Aaron Finch 109 Steve Smith 39
Another expertly timed drive from Finch sends the ball racing to the boundary, despite the best efforts of the Sri Lanka fielder. Five come off the 35th over and that takes Australia close to 200.
We'll have a break for drinks.
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