South Africa Secures Convincing Six-Wicket Victory over Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup Opener at New York's Nassau County International Cricket Stadium

South Africa began their T20 World Cup campaign with a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka as concerns over the drop-in pitches came to the fore in New York.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 77 – their lowest T20 total – as just three of their batters made double figures, with Kusal Mendis’ 30-ball 19 their top score.

Anrich Nortje took career-best T20 figures of 4-7 for South Africa while Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj picked up two wickets apiece.

Faced with a such low total, South Africa’s batters attempted to play sensibly on a tricky surface as they eked their way to the target with 22 balls to spare.

Quinton de Kock hit one boundary as he top scored with 20 while the normally explosive Tristan Stubbs curbed his attacking instincts on a tricky deck with 13 off 28.

Wanindu Hasaranga briefly raised Sri Lanka’s hopes with the wickets of both South Africa batters as he claimed 2-22.

Heinrich Klaasen, who finished 19 not out, got the Proteas over the line alongside David Miller, who hit the winning runs to finish unbeaten on six.

“Coming out here they did a brilliant job to get the field ready,” said Klaasen.

“Hopefully the wicket will get a little bit better. It is brand new, which is a big factor.”

The jewel in the crown for the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s American dream for this World Cup is the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.

There is no doubt the sparkling ground set in the tranquil surrounds of leafy Eisenhower Park, named after the 34th US president, is an eye-catching construction. Albeit a temporary one.

To have pulled everything together in a short timeframe for the tournament is a commendable achievement as the ICC takes steps to popularise the game in the United States.

A crowd of 12,562 watched a historic first World Cup game in New York and, despite the intense security presence, fans – most of whom were from the Sri Lanka diaspora – reported few issues gaining entry.

Rarely were those supporters roused to their feet by what they saw in the middle, though, in what was a spectacle lacking the kind of dazzling strokeplay that could prick the interest of any potential converts to the game.

The largely ponderous nature of the contest has inevitably placed scrutiny on the drop-in pitches being used for the eight fixtures being played here.