India turned in the most impressive of the ICC Cricket World Cup performance of the weekend.
The defending champions emphatically outplayed South Africa by 130 runs in front of almost 87,000 fans in Melbourne in a clash between two of the most highly-fancied sides.
With Shikhar Dhawan scoring 137, the highest individual score of the tournament so far, backed up by a scintillating 79 from Ajinkya Rahane, the 2011 winners posted 307-7.
With the leadership of Pool B at stake, South Africa’s much-vaunted batting line-up wilted spectacularly and they were bowled out for just 177 in 40.2 overs.
Only Faf du Plessis, who spent the 2006 season playing for Nottinghamshire seconds, advanced beyond 50. Vernon Philander, who will join Notts for the early part of the forthcoming season, tweaked a hamstring and only bowled four overs before leaving the field. He did bat but didn’t aggravate the injury with a second-ball duck.
So often criticized for their fielding, India swung the match firmly in their favour thanks to a brilliant piece of work from Mohit Sharma that ran out the South African captain AB de Villiers.
India’s four points from two matches sees them top Pool B, ahead of West Indies, who claimed an even larger win on Saturday.
With eight scores between 23 and 51 on their card, the 1975 and 1979 winners mustered 310-6 in Christchurch.
The total was given a late boost by Andre Russell, who blasted 42 not out from only 13 balls, bludgeoning 3 fours and 4 mighty sixes
Pakistan’s chase quickly became one of just saving face. Three early wickets for Jerome Taylor and one for Jason Holder reduced the score to 1-4, the worst in World Cup history.
Russell secured the Player of the Match award, as he also picked up three wickets as Pakistan were humbled for just 160.
After losing their opening two matches Pakistan, who won the 1992 event in Australia, face a must-win match against Zimbabwe next Sunday to keep their hopes alive.
In Pool A Brisbane had the unwanted distinction of hosting the first match to be rained off. Australia and Bangladesh collected one point each for the wash-out.
The Australians were looking to include Michael Clarke in their line-up after his lengthy injury lay-off and it remains to be seen if they’ll use him in the vital contest against New Zealand on Saturday.
Sri Lanka collected their first win of the tournament but were far from convincing in downing Afghanistan by 4 wickets in Dunedin.
The Associate nation made 232, their highest ODI score, and when Sri Lanka had been reduced to 18-3 and 51-4 a shock looked to be on the cards.
Angelo Matthews and Mahela Jayawardene shared in a stand of 126 to ward off the danger though, although there were some late alarms before they got home with 10 balls to spare.
Jayawardene scored exactly 100, his 19th ODI century.
Trent Bridge hosts the fourth Royal London One-Day International between England and New Zealand on Wednesday 17 June. Don't miss the chance to watch England seek redemption against the Kiwis and secure your seat now.