How fast does Imran Tahir run in his ‘trademark’ wicket celebration?

Imran Tahir returned from injury to spare South Africa an unlikely opening defeat by Sri Lanka at the Champions Trophy.

Timely wickets from Imran Tahir has made South Africa favourites to win the match as spinner Imran Tahir’s four-for left the Sri Lankan team reeling in the 300-run chase.

“It was important not to lose early wickets and it was really tough to score early on”.

The dismissals were symptomatic of a dozy 10-over spell for South Africa between the 33 and 43-over mark where they lost four wickets for 51 runs just when they should have been upping the scoring rate and looking for a score of well over 300. Kusal Perera scored and unbeaten 44 but ran out of partners as 5 wickets fell in a matter of 46 runs.

They will know that 299 may have sufficed against a limited Sri Lankan side, but it just won’t do against the powerhouses that lie in wait deeper in the tournament.

First De Villiers leapt to remove Kusal Mendis with a one-handed catch at mid-on, then, in Tahir’s first over, the South Africa skipper produced a stunning swoop and throw to run out Dinesh Chandimal.

The pressure they created could have earned more rewards, but Lasith Malinga failed to get a hand on a Faf du Plessis top edge when he was on only eight. It should have also accounted for the wicket of Faf du Plessis.

South Africa’s success in this tournament rests on Tahir: a force of nature who works in mysterious ways yet with all the mystique of a bazooka. “He’s got four or five days before the next game to get ready”. But the loss of Du Plessis and then AB de Villiers in the space of seven balls for just five runs curtailed any hopes of that.

Amla and David Miller rebuilt once again for a brief while, with Amla crossing his century in the 42nd over by nudging Lakmal to fine-leg.

In reply, Sri Lanka were all out for 203 runs with still 8.3 overs remaining.

JP Duminy (38 not out off 20 balls) played a chaotic knock at the end that at least set Sri Lanka a target of a run a ball.

Niroshan Dickwella and Tharanga stunned South African bowlers in the powerplay overs as they attacked them upfront. Dickwella disturbed the lines by making room and found boundaries either side of the pitch, slashing and swatting with disdain.

Morne Morkel gets breakthrough: As said above, it was Morkel, who provided the initial breakthrough by dismissing Dickwella for 41. Tharanga scored a half century but none of the other Sri Lanka players could make much of an impact on the score board. Overshadowed by the likes of AB de Villiers at home, the understated style of Amla’s cricket has seen not many shouting his name from the stands. Imran Tahir foxed Chamara Kapugedera with a googly in the same over, completing the shift of momentum. During that phase, Tharanga also had a reprieve when Kagiso Rabada (1-46) dropped him off his own bowling.