Read the article of Sri Lanka vs South Africa 8th Match Hero Cup 1993 - Hero Cup five-nation one-day international tournament of the 8th match played between Sri Lanka and South Africa at Nehru Stadium, Guwahati in 19th November 1993.
Devastating spell from Richard Snell's four-for after Kepler Weasels' half-century helped to South Africa comprehensive 78-run victory over Sri Lanka and qualify for the semi-final in a one-sided game of the eighth match of a Hero Cup 1993.
This modified article reference from : T. I. E, Author by : Paul Benjamin
This is South Africa's second successive win in three matches, while affirming their status as favourites, has also taken them to the top of the points table with five points. They are followed by the West Indies (four points), India (3), Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe (2 each). While Sri Lanka have finished all their league engagements, others have a match each. Sri Lanka despite this loss are likely to qualify by virtue of their win over Zimbabwe, who are destined to finish the league without a win as they are not expected to defeat the West Indies in their last match. Although Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka will finish level at two points, the latter will advance as they have a win to their credit. It was, in fact, a victory for the team which made better use of the conditions. The Nehru Stadium track helped the bowlers. If it was the moisture in the early morning wicket for the Sri Lankans, it was the low bounce for the South Afficans later in the day.
Rumesh Rathayake, who came in as a replacement for Asanka Gurusinghe at Patna, was the only Sri Lankan to exploit the favourable atmosphere. The two-way movement that he produced not only got him Andrew Hudson's wicket but had Kepler Wessels gaping in astonishment several times. The short stuff Promodya Wickremasinghe bowled was an ideal fodder for Kepler Wessels.
Of the spinners, only Sanath Jayasuriya looked effective. Muttiah Muralitharan and Dulip Liyanage were restrictive, Rumesh Ratnayake could have seen the back of Kepler Wessels too who was on 10. But Arjuna Ranatunga at point, failed to latch on to the low chance despite three attempts. And Wessels, realising that he had to see off the initial overs if he had to provide the stage for batsmen down the order, took up the job of holding the top order together.
While scoring fine 53 (112 minutes; 92 ball, five fours), Kepler Wessels added 63 runs for the second wicket with Hansie Cronje (26). That stand turned out to be the bed-rock of the South African innings, And they even took the run-rate to over three. And before Cullinan and McMillan went about the task of setting a challenging target. Sri Lankans had things their way when Roshan Mahanamu brought off a brilliant catch in the covers to dismiss Jonty Rhodes, Mahanama, whose effort had the world's best fielder applauding, almost brought off an encore. But this time, he failed to hold on to a similar offer from Daryll Cullinan off Sanath Jayasuriya.
However, after adding eleven runs, Daryll Cullinan fell to Sanath Jayasuriya for 41 which came off 60 deliveries. He hit two sixes (one each off de Silva and Jayasuriya) and one boundary. Richard Snell's sledge-hammer shots and Ruwan Kalpage's loose bowling in the slog overs saw South Africa score 66 runs from the final ten overs. Richard Snell made 20 off 11-balls, while Brian McMillan remained unbeaten on 31 after facing 38 deliveries.
Chasing 215 for victory. Sri Lankans seemed to be on the right course when Sanath Jayasuriya and Roshan Mahamama cut the fiery Allan Donald to the fence in his very first over. But Mahanama chased a ball leavIng him and was caught by David Richardson. Thereafter Richard Snell proved he is snell indeed when it comes to bowling pace.
Both Hashan Tillaknratne and Aravinda de Silva fell to the low ball that caught them in front of the wicket. Going on the backfoot, Tillukaratne failed to bring down his bat in time, de Silva shuffled across, misreading the line.
Once Sanath Jayasuriya made his exit, after Pat Symcox had Arjuna Ranatunga and Hansie Cronje sent back Romesh Kaluwitharana and Ruwan KaIpuge. the writing was on the wall for Sri Lanka who were tottering at 82 for seven.
The only interesting. rather confusing. point thereafter as the Sri Lankan tail delayed the inevitable was the run out of Rumesh Ratnayake.
Rumesh Ratnayake - who had Ruwan Kalpage as his runner. himself ran a brace after pushing Fannie de Villiers to deep mid-wicket. Although Rumesh Ratnayake regained his crease. KaIpage, apparently a victim of the confusion, was caught outside the crease. But the fielders, seeing Ratnayake in the crease, broke the wicket at the non-striker's end. Umpire Ramaswamy first raised his finger without seeing Liyanage safely in the crease before changing his decision. But when the South Africans appealed for Ratnayake's run out. as Kalpage was still outside his crease when the wicket was broken first, umpire Choudhary, who was waiting for the fielders' appeal, upheld it but not before the intervention of match adjudicator Patil.
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