Nortje grabs 4/7 as South Africa dismiss Sri Lanka for 77, their lowest total in T20s
New York, Jun 3: Pacer Anrich Nortje returned to form with a career-best 4/7 as South Africa exploited the bounce on offer to bowl out Sri Lanka for 77 in the T20 World Cup here on Sunday.
At a venue where India will play three of their four Group A league matches, Sri Lanka's decision to bat first completely backfired as they were bowled out for their lowest total in T20s.
Nuwan Thushara's run-out ended their innings in 19.1 overs.
Nortje bowled full tilt to lead the four-pronged pace attack and bettered his previous best T20 figures of 4/10.
Kagiso Rabada returned with 2/21, while wily left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj also relished the conditions to end with 2/22.
The drop-in pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium proved to be a nightmare for the Lankan batters who struggled to time the ball while the outfield too was slow.
The Proteas attack on the other hand revelled in the friendly conditions, beginning with a first-ball wicket for Ottneil Baartman who returned with remarkable figures of 1/9 on his World Cup debut.
The rookie pacer hit the deck hard, and induced an edge off Pathum Nissanka (3) from a fullish delivery that swung away and also had some bounce.
Nortje was fast and furious and also got a wicket of his first over when Kusal Mendis mistimed a pull to make it 31/2 inside eight overs.
There was also help for spin, as Maharaj struck twice in successive deliveries, dismissing skipper Wanindu Hasaranga and Sadeera Samarawickrama.
Half of the side was back in the hut at the halfway mark with Nortje taking his second after Kusal Mendis mistimed a pull.
The veteran Angelo Mathews looked most comfortable and made a 16-ball 16 before Nortje dismissed him.
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Teenager killed, neck 'broken' in cricket brawl in Delhi's Tilak Nagar; 3 juveniles held
New Delhi (PTI): A neighbourhood cricket game turned deadly in west Delhi's Tilak Nagar after a 15-year-old boy allegedly had his neck broken in a violent confrontation with three juveniles, police said on Tuesday.
The incident took place on Monday evening following an argument over a cricket match in a local park.
According to police, a verbal altercation first broke out between the victim and a 12-year-old boy at the game.
"The argument escalated into a scuffle. The 12-year-old later went home and informed his cousins, aged 17 and 13. The three then allegedly went looking for the victim," a senior police officer said.
At around 7.22 pm, the three confronted the teenager in the area. A fight ensued during which the boy sustained injuries to his neck and head and fell unconscious. He was rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital by family members and locals, where doctors declared him dead.
An FIR was registered at Tilak Nagar Police Station, and all three juveniles were apprehended.
The victim, Nishant, is survived by both his parents and three brothers. His father works as a tea vendor in the locality.
The boy's mother, Jyoti, said the assault was far more brutal than a routine fight among children.
"They broke my son's neck. Which children don't fight? But they killed him. When we went to the police station, no one listened to us. Instead, they beat us and detained some of our relatives," she told PTI.
The boy's aunt, Rachna, also alleged police apathy.
"My nephew is dead, and the police are doing nothing but harass us. My brother was beaten, and he has injuries. They have not even given us a copy of the FIR. They tore our clothes. Three boys killed my nephew, but no action is being taken," she said.
Rinku, an uncle of the teenager, said the alleged assailants had come looking for the boy at his home.
"I received a call that some boys had come asking for Nishant. My sister-in-law, who was washing clothes, questioned them. Soon after, they took him away. They choked and beat him," he told PTI.
"At first, we thought it was a minor scuffle like children often have, but then we were told he was dead. We rushed him to DDU Hospital," he said.
Rinku, too, alleged harassment at the police station.
A brother of the teenager, who claimed he was in the park earlier, said, "A friend called me saying my brother had been attacked by three to four boys. When I saw him, he was lying unconscious. There was swelling on his neck, punch injuries on his cheek and slap marks on his face. I don't understand what enmity small boys could have that led to this."
The area is charged with tension since the death.
The family members were gathered outside the police station, demanding action against the assailants.
