Cricket-Amla, Du Plessis cruise as S Africa dent Sri Lanka hopes at World Cup

Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla struck unbeaten half-centuries as South Africa cruised to a nine-wicket victory at the Riverside Ground on Friday to put a major dent in Sri Lanka's hopes of reaching the Cricket World Cup semi-finals. After putting Sri Lanka into bat, South Africa was set a target of 204 as seamer Dwaine Pretorius took 3-25 off 10 overs in an innings that was interrupted by a swarm of bees that invaded the pitch and sent the players and umpires to the floor.

After the early loss of Quinton de Kock, already-eliminated South Africa never looked troubled as Amla (80 not out) and Du Plessis (96 not out) put on 175 for the second wicket, playing with the kind of freedom not seen before by the team in a dismal tournament for the side. Sri Lanka needed a victory to move level with fourth-placed England in the race for semi-final places but struggled with bat and ball against an opponent who has now beaten them in 17 of their last 19 meetings.