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  • South Africa seal semi final berth with a win over Sri Lanka
  • Sri Lanka win the toss and elect to bat first
  • Sri Lanka 133 all out in 37.2 overs
  • Sangakkara 45, Tahir 4/26
  • De Kock 78, Malinga 1/43
Imran Tahir
Imran Tahir celebrates after taking the wicket of Thisara Perera during the 2015 Cricket World Cup quarter-final match between Sri Lanka and South Africa. [Getty]

That's it from us for today. Hope you enjoyed our Live Blog between Sri Lanka v South Africa. South Africa made it to the semi finals as they won the first knockout game of the World Cup. We will sign off for now and will be back once again tomorrow for the Live Blog of the second quarter final clash between India v Bangladesh. See you tomorrow. Goodbye for now.

India take on Bangladesh in the second quarter final clash of the 2015 ICC World Cup at MCG on Thursday. Read IBTimes UK's preview of the game and also get the team news, betting odds and also prediction for the by Clicking Here.

Read IBTimes UK's match report of the first quarter final clash between Sri Lanka and South Africa by Clicking Here.

Hat-trick hero JP Duminy

"Pretty pleased with that performance, don't think I've ever come close to taking a hat-trick before. To my recollection, I've never taken wickets consecutively... I knew it was possibly a hat-trick ball, just before I bowled it, so we got a few fielders in and fortunately enough he played around it.

"It wasn't my greatest delivery but it was wicket to wicket, so I was pleased with that. It was one of those days when everything clicks, I could feel the hunger. There was a lot of tension in the camp, just because of the hunger, we had a day off yesterday, to ease that... We came in fired up and we wanted early wickets.

"But those small totals are still challenging... It's great to contribute with bat and ball, I get an opportunity to bowl a few more overs. It's been challenging, the last few games, we haven't put in a big performance.

"We've worked hard and everything clicked today. With them losing so many wickets up front they had to be a bit cautious. They haven't been in that position in this tournament, I knew if I put the ball in the right place, something would come my way."

Match summary

Imran Tahir

I can't complain, thanks for the support from back home and the people here. I've been thinking about this game and I'm really glad. I've got everything from South Africa, so I always say I have to give everything back.

I just try to do my role, it's an absolute honour and I'm loving it. There's some good and great players [in the team], just playing with them is a dream come true for me. It's a great feeling and motivates me every day. [Semi-final against NZ] We've been working really hard for this, it will depend how we play on the day.

Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara are talking to South African players and staffs. They are being congratulated by Sri Lanka teammates and staff and also by South African players. It does look like it will be the last World Cup for the Sri Lanka's legendary duo.

Imran Tahir's 4/26 has seen him being named Man of the Match.

Quinton de Kock's unbeaten knock of 78 will be a relief for him and also for South Africa as the wicket keeping batsman was struggling with form in the group stages.

South Africa win by 9 wickets and make it to the semi final of the 2015 ICC World Cup.

Over 18: South Africa 134 for 1: Quinton de Kock 78 (57), Faf du Plessis 21 (31)

Malinga is brought back into the attack. A slower delivery to De Kock and he finds the gap between cover and point. Gets three runs. Du Plessis nudges it to third man for a single. De Kock slices it to backward point and gets an easy double. A short pitch delivery is called a wide. Two more dot balls. FOUR, De Kock slashes it through extra cover and it is the end of the match. South Africa win by nine wickets.

Over 17: South Africa 123 for 1: Quinton de Kock 69 (52), Faf du Plessis 20 (30)

Kaushal is back into the attack and De Kock gets three runs off the first ball. Two more dot balls is followed after that. Du Plessis flicks it fine of fine leg and gets a double. Short leg takes a catch and umpire is not interested as it got off the pads. An inside edge hits Du Plessis the pads to end the over.

Over 16: South Africa 118 for 1: Quinton de Kock 66 (51), Faf du Plessis 18 (25)

Dilshan is brought back into the attack. Du Plessis places it between cover and point and gets a double off the first ball, followed by an easy single. De Kock finds the gap once again on the off side and gets a double. He goes down the ground and Malinga is forced to cover the ground. De Kock gets two more runs. A dot ball is followed by a single to finish the over.

Over 15: South Africa 110 for 1: Quinton de Kock 61 (47), Faf du Plessis 15 (23)

Thisara Perera replaces Chameera and he starts his spell to Du Plessis. After a dot ball off the first delivery, he takes a single. FOUR, De Kock hits it front of square and gets a boundary. Well timed shot from the South African opener. It is followed by a dot ball.

FOUR, De Kock is in a hurry to finish the match and smashes it to over cow corner. The fielder dives to take the catch, but puts it down at the last moment and also pushes it for a boundary. A wide on the leg side is followed by a dot ball to finish the over.

Over 14: South Africa 100 for 1: Quinton de Kock 53 (45), Faf du Plessis 14 (21)

De Kock sweeps first ball of Kaushal's over to fine leg and gets a double. A dot ball is followed by a single. A dot ball from Du Plessis is followed by one more quick single. That brings SOUTH AFRICA's 100. De Kock ends the over with a dot ball.

Over 13: South Africa 96 for 1: Quinton de Kock 50 (39), Faf du Plessis 13 (19)

Chameera continues to De Kock. FOUR, he smashes it through mid on for a long on boundary. FOUR, Chameera bowls a huge wide and it misses the keeper completely and races to the boundary. FOUR, De Kock tries to pull it and it hits his helmet and the ball races to the boundary. 4 leg byes.

De Kock smashes it to square leg and that went into like a bullet to deep square leg. He moves on to 49. Du Plessis takes a single after a dot ball. One more wide on the leg side. De Kock finishes the over with a single to square leg and that bring's DE KOCK's 50.

Over 12: South Africa 79 for 1: Quinton de Kock 44 (35), Faf du Plessis 12 (17)

Kaushal continues and Du Plessis gets off the strike with a single off the first ball. There was a chance of a catch, but the ball falls in no man's land away from short leg. No run taken and De Kock sweeps it to fine leg and gets one run. Du Plessis finishes the over with a dot ball.

Over 11: South Africa 77 for 1: Quinton de Kock 43 (33), Faf du Plessis 11 (13)

Dushmantha Chameera is the new man introduced into the attack. Du Plessis takes a single off the first ball. He has two slips in place for De Kock and starts with a dot ball. FOUR, a beautiful cover drive helps the ball race to the extra cover boundary.

FOUR, no ball called and De Kock pulls it through deep square leg boundary. That was a harsh call on Chameera. FRE HIT and ends in a dot ball. A wide is followed by a single towards deep midwicket. Du Plessis flicks it to long leg and gets a double. A short pitch delivery and Sri Lankan players appeal, it is called wide by the umpire. Du Plessis finishes the over with a single to third man. 17 runs from it.

End of mandatory Powerpplay. South Africa 61/1 after 10 overs.

Over 10: South Africa 61 for 1: Quinton de Kock 34 (29), Faf du Plessis 7 (10)

Last over the mandatory Powerplay and Kaushal is in his third over. De Kock starts the over with a single to third man. Du Plessis places it to through the gap between cover and point and gets a double.

A short leg and a slip in place for Du Plessis. Kaushal gets turn and it goes past the fielder at short leg. Doubt there was a bat in it. A dot ball is followed by a quick single. De Kock to face the last ball and he finishes the over FOUR, with a boundary towards backward point.

South Africa need 81 more runs to win.

Over 9: South Africa 53 for 1: Quinton de Kock 29 (26), Faf du Plessis 4 (7)

Malinga in his fifth over and he has two slips in place and a gully for Du Plessis. He nudges it through backward point and a good running between the wickets helps him take a double. Du Plessis flicks it to fine leg and gets a single. No BALL and De Kock pulls it over mid on's head and gets three runs. That brings SOUTH AFRICA's 50.

FREE HIT, and Du Plessis is on strike and it is a wide. South Africa will still get the Free Hit. No run taken as Faf knicks the ball, which goes to the keeper.

Over 8: South Africa 45 for 1: Quinton de Kock 26 (24), Faf du Plessis 1 (2)

Kaushal continues to attack with the ball to Du Plessis. He has a slip and a short leg in place. After a dot ball, he gets off the mark with a single. De Kock also has a slip and short leg in place. No run taken from the next three balls and finishes the over with a dot ball. A very tidy over from him as he concedes only 1 run.

Over 7: South Africa 44 for 1: Quinton de Kock 26 (18), Faf du Plessis 0 (0)

Malinga continues with the attack and Amla drives it past the mid off and gets a double off the first ball. It is followed by a slower wide on the off side. After two dot balls, OUT, Amla cuts it to third man and Kulasekara had to cover a lot of ground before taking a brilliant catch. Umpires were checking for no ball, but luckily for Sri Lanka, there wasn't a no ball and that's the end of Amla. It's time for innings break now.

Faf du Plessis is the new man in the middle and will starts from the non strikers end. FOUR, De Kock smashes it through the gap between point and cover for a boundary. Malinga finishes the over with a short pitch delivery.

We are back after the dinner break and the play resumes.

JP Duminy on his hat-trick

Never actually come close to a hat-trick, so I'm pretty pleased. Added pressure, past performances with the ball haven't been good. But to contribute to the team, have been working hard on the bowling side of the game. There wasn't really a lot of purchase, it was all about keeping the runs down and building the pressure on them and forcing them to make mistakes.

Kumar Sangakkara was the only hope Sri Lanka had, while they were batting. The look on his face and the disappointment tells everything. A defeat today will mean it could be his last World Cup match.

Kumar Sangakkara
[Getty]

The play will resume in 40 minutes.

South Africa need 94 runs, while Sri Lanka need 9 more wickets to win.

Over 6.4: South Africa 40 for 1: Quinton de Kock 22 (16)

Malinga continues with the attack and Amla drives it past the mid off and gets a double off the first ball. It is followed by a slower wide on the off side. After two dot balls, OUT, Amla cuts it to third man and Kulasekara had to cover a lot of ground before taking a brilliant catch. Umpires were checking for no ball, but luckily for Sri Lanka, there wasn't a no ball and that's the end of Amla. It's time for innings break now.

WICKET...!!! Hashim Amla 16 (23) c Kulasekara b Malinga

Over 6: South Africa 37 for 0: Hashim Amla 14 (19), Quinton de Kock 22 (16)

Tharindu Kaushal is the new man introduced into the attack as he is making his debut today. No luck with the bat and starts with three dot balls to Amla. Amla flicks it to long leg and a fumble helps him get three runs easily.

De Kock flicks it on the leg side and takes a couple. He finishes the over with a dot ball. 5 off Kaushal's first over.

Over 5: South Africa 32 for 0: Hashim Amla 11(15), Quinton de Kock 20 (15)

De Kock is the aggressor at the moment and after a single of the first ball, the wicket keeper dispatches Malinga's third to the fence. FOUR, De Kock slashes it past the cover for a boundary. Free Hit!!! But a good yorker prevents any run.

Over 4: South Africa 24 for 0: Hashim Amla 10 (14), Quinton de Kock 14 (10)

Nuwan Kulasekara is introduced into the attack. The first ball is guided to fine leg for a single and FouR!!! De Kock hits consecutive boundaries of the next two deliveries. The South African wicket keeper has stepped up a gear. Make that three boundaries for the over.

Over 3: South Africa 11 for 0: Hashim Amla 9 (13), Quinton de Kock 2 (5)

Following an over of spin from Dilshan, Malinga continues. After a brace in the first ball, the next four balls bring in three runs in the form of singles. Amla retains strike.

Over 1: South Africa 4 for 0: Hashim Amla 4 (6), Quinton de Kock 0 (0)

Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock will open South Africa's batting line up, while Laisth Malinga will be handed the new ball. Amla will face the innings and he has two slips in place.

FOUR, he starts with a brilliant cover drive and gets off the mark with a boundary off the first ball. It is followed by two more dot balls. One more dot ball and Amla finishes the over with a dot ball. 4 runs from it.

South Africa have not won a knockout game in the World Cup. They have a very good chance of creating history today. Their run chase starts now.

JP Duminy of South Africa celebrates his hatrick against Sri Lanka with team mates.

JP Duminy
[Getty]

Imran Tahir celebrates after taking the wicket of Thisara Perera during the 2015 Cricket World Cup quarter-final match between Sri Lanka and South Africa.

Imran Tahir
[Getty]

SOUTH AFRICA STARTS THEIR INNINGS IN 7 MINUTES

Over 38: Sri Lanka 133 for 10: Dushmantha Chameera 2 (5)

Imran Tahir comes back into the attack and South Africa need one more wicket. Malinga is on strike. He starts the over with a dot ball. OUT, Malinga is the last man to be dismissed as he gives an easy catch to Miller at cover.

WICKET...!!! Lasith Malinga 3 (6) C Miller b Tahir

Over 37: Sri Lanka 133 for 9: Lasith Malinga 3 (4), Dushmantha Chameera 2 (5)

Morkel is asked to bowl during the powerplay. He starts his new spell with a dot ball to Sangakkara, who is on strike. OUT, Sangakkara tries to cut and ends up giving a catch to David Miller and deep third man.

The match was stopped due to rain and after a break of over 20 minutes, the play resumes. Lasith Malinga is the last man in the middle and he replaces Sangakkara. Morkel continues with two more dot balls. It is followed by one more dot ball.

No ball and Malinga gets off the mark with three runs down the ground. There was a chance of a run out and it was referred to third umpire. Luckily for Sri Lanka it was given not out and Chameera gets off the mark with a double over mid on from the last ball of the over.

One more wicket for South Africa and that will be the end of Sri Lanka's innings.

Good news. The rain has stopped and the covers are off. Play will resume shortly. Expecting there will be no reduction in overs.

For quarter final and onwards, there is a reserve day. Sri Lanka will be hoping for it.

What a twist now. It's raining in Sydney and the players are off the field.

WICKET...!!! Kumar Sangakkara c Miller b Morkel 45 (96)

Over 36: Sri Lanka 127 for 8: Kumar Sangakkara 45 (94), Dushmantha Chameera 0 (4)

Kyle Abbott is brought back into the attack as Sri Lanka take batting powerplay. He starts with two dot balls. FOUR, Sangakkara slashes it to backward point for a boundary, followed by a double over the cover. FOUR, this time it is towards cow corner boundary. He retains the strike with a single towards sweeper.

Sri Lanka take batting powerplay

Over 35: Sri Lanka 116 for 8: Kumar Sangakkara 34 (88), Dushmantha Chameera 0 (4)

Duminy continues with spin to Kulasekara. OUT, he looks to defend the ball and ends up giving an easy catch to De Kock. Umpire does not say a word or lifts his hand, but Kulasekara decides to walk. Tharindu Kaushal is making his ODI debut and Duminy is on a hat-trick. He has a slip and silly point in place.

OUT, Duminy gets a little bit of spin and it hits Kaushal's pads and umpire takes no time to raise his hands. Dushmantha Chameera is walking into the middle and he defends the remaining balls. Two more wicket and a maiden over.

WICKET...!!! Tharindu Kaushal 0 (1) lbw b Duminy

WICKET...!!! Nuwan Kulasekara 1 (2) c De Kock b Duminy

Over 34: Sri Lanka 116 for 6: Kumar Sangakkara 34 (88), Nuwan Kulasekara 1 (1)

Imran Tahir is brought back into the attack. Thisara Perera replaces his skipper in the middle, but will start from the non strikers end. Sangakkara takes a single off the first ball. Perera has a slip in place. He looks to settle in the middle as he decides to tap the first ball and does the same for the next delivery.

OUT, additional bounce for Tahir and Perera edges it and ends up giving an easy catch to Rossouw at slip. Nuwan Kulasekara is the new man in the middle and he has a slip and a silly point. He gets off the mark with a single. Sangakkara finishes the over with a dot ball. A very good over for South Africa as they get a wicket and take two runs.

WICKET...!!! Thisara Perera 0 (3) c Rossouw b Tahir

Over 33: Sri Lanka 114 for 5: Kumar Sangakkara 33 (86)

Duminy continues his eight over to Sangakkara. He gives it straight back to the bowler. A single off the next ball as he drives it to long on. No slip in place for Mathews as he edges towards the slip and gets two runs. He then takes a single to long on.

Sangakkara takes a single by nudging it on the leg side. Sri Lanka are dealing in singles. OUT, Mathews tries to clear the fielder at mid on, just like Jayawardene and ends up giving an easy catch to Du Plessis at mid on. The Lankans are in all sort of trouble.

WICKET...!!! Angel Mathews 19 (32) c Du Plessis b Duminy

Over 32: Sri Lanka 109 for 4: Kumar Sangakkara 31 (83), Angel Mathews 16 (29)

Steyn continues and starts his new as Mathews is on strike. He has a slip in place. A slower delivery hits Mathews' pads and umpire turns down South Africa's appeal. Reply suggests the ball would have missed the stumps as height was the factor. Two more dot balls after that.

Mathews gets off the strike with a single towards square leg. Sangakkara is on strike and even he has a slip in place. He tries to find the gap, but ends up in giving it straight to fielder at mid off. He finishes the over with a single away from cover. 2 runs from it.

Over 31: Sri Lanka 107 for 4: Kumar Sangakkara 30 (81), Angel Mathews 15 (25)

Duminy is brought back into the attack and starts his new spell with a dot ball. Sangakkara then takes a single off the next ball to long off, followed by one more single from Mathews to long on. No run off the fourth ball, followed by two more dot balls to finish the over.

Over 30: Sri Lanka 105 for 4: Kumar Sangakkara 29 (76), Angel Mathews 14 (24)

Tahir is taken out of the attack and Dale Steyn is replacing him. He starts with a slip in place for Sangakkara. A dot ball is followed by a quick single from Sangakkara. Mathews takes a single comfortably to deep midwicket after a dot ball, followed by a single from Sangakkara to sweeper cover. A dot ball from Mathews to finish the over. 3 runs off it.

Over 29: Sri Lanka 102 for 4: Kumar Sangakkara 27 (73), Angel Mathews 13 (21)

Morne Morkel continues his sixth over. Sangakkara takes a single off the first ball and that brings SRI Lanka's 100. A short pitch delivery from Morkel and Mathews tries to duck it. In the process, it hits his fingers on the left hand and he gets medical attention.

Luckily after few minutes he continues. Another short pitch delivery from Morkel and Mathews looks to flicks it towards leg side. The ball just lands very close to Rossouw at silly mid on and he gets a single, followed by a single from Sangakkara. Two dot balls to finish the over.

Over 28: Sri Lanka 99 for 4: Kumar Sangakkara 25 (71), Angel Mathews 12 (17)

Tahir continues his seventh over and starts with a dot ball. FOUR, Mathews smashes it on the leg side for a long on boundary, followed by single. A dot ball is followed by a single from Sangakkara to long off. A dot ball to finish the over.

Over 27: Sri Lanka 93 for 4: Kumar Sangakkara 24 (69), Angel Mathews 7 (13)

Change in bowling attack as Morne Morkel is brought back into the attack. Sangakkara starts the over with a single off the first ball. It is followed by three dot balls from Mathews, followed by a double. A single is followed by a dot ball from Sangakkara.

Over 26: Sri Lanka 89 for 4: Kumar Sangakkara 22 (67), Angel Mathews 4 (9)

Tahir in his sixth over to Mathews and he has a slip in place. Starts the new over with two dot balls. He then gets off the strike with a single towards midwicket. Two more dot balls and Sangakkara ends the over with a single to long off.

Over 25: Sri Lanka 87 for 4: Kumar Sangakkara 21 (64), Angel Mathews 3 (6)

South Africa continues with spin as Duminy in his sixth over. A dot ball is followed by a single from Mathews. Two dot balls from Sangakkara is followed by a single to long off. Mathews finishes the over with a single.

Over 24: Sri Lanka 84 for 4: Kumar Sangakkara 20 (61), Angel Mathews 1 (3)

Tahir in his fifth over. OUT, Jayawardene gives away his wicket and ends up giving a simple catch to Du Plessis at mid on. Angel Mathews is the new man in the middle and after two dot balls, he gets off the strike with a single. Sangakkara finishes the over with a single.

WICKET...!!! Mahela Jayawardene 4 (16) c Du Plessis b Tahir

Over 23: Sri Lanka 81 for 3: Kumar Sangakkara 19 (59), Mahela Jayawardene 4 (15)

Duminy continues and Sangakkara takes a single off the first ball. Jayawardene starts the over with a dot ball, followed by flicking to short third man. Sangakkara takes a single and his partner was clueless. There was a chance of a run out if the throw was towards no strikers end. Two more singles to finish the over.

Over 22: Sri Lanka 77 for 3: Kumar Sangakkara 17 (55), Mahela Jayawardene 2 (13)

Tahir in his fourth over and Sangakkara takes a single after a do ball. No run taken by Jayawardene for the next three balls. The ball hits the pads and umpire is not interested. South Africa take the review. Pitching outside off and the ball was hitting the middle stump. End off the over.

Over 21: Sri Lanka 76 for 3: Kumar Sangakkara 16 (53), Mahela Jayawardene 2 (9)

Duminy continues his fourth over. Starts the over with a wide. A dot ball is followed by a poor line and bowls a wide on the leg side. Two more dot balls and Jayawardene takes a single to square leg. Sangakkara is playing very safe as a dot ball is followed by a single to long off.

Over 20: Sri Lanka 72 for 3: Kumar Sangakkara 15 (51), Mahela Jayawardene 1 (5)

Tahir is continuing his third over. OUT, Thirimanne just tries to clear Tahir and he ends up giving a simple catch to the bowler. He was looking to punch down the ground for a sngle. Mahela Jayawardene is the new man to replace Thirimanne and he has a slip in place.

He tickles it down the leg side and takes a double towards fine leg, it is called leg byes. A single to finish the over. Good over for South Africa.

WICKET...!!! Lahiru Thirimanne 41 (48) c&b Tahir

Over 19: Sri Lanka 69 for 2: Kumar Sangakkara 15 (51), Lahiru Thirimanne 41 (47)

Duminy in his third over and Thirimanne gets off the strike in the second ball with a single. Sangakkara tickles it just past the keeper on the leg side and gets a double, followed by a single. Thirimanne finishes the over with a single to long on.

Over 18: Sri Lanka 64 for 2: Kumar Sangakkara 12 (49), Lahiru Thirimanne 39 (43)

Tahir is bowling to the two left handers. Thirimanne is on strike and takes a single off the second ball to long off. Well down the leg side and it is called wide. Sangakkara gets a single to long off. Tahir is getting some spin and it leads in a dot ball.

It takes an edge of Thirimanne and there was no slip in place. The ball races towards the boundary, but a good stop results in three runs. A dot ball from Sangakkara to finish the over.

Over 17: Sri Lanka 58 for 2: Kumar Sangakkara 11 (47), Lahiru Thirimanne 35 (39)

Duminy continues and Thirimanne takes a single off the first ball. It is followed by three dot balls to Sangakkara, followed by a single to long off. Thirimanne finishes the over with a single down the ground.

Over 16: Sri Lanka 55 for 2: Kumar Sangakkara 10 (43), Lahiru Thirimanne 33 (37)

Imran Tahir into the attack as South Africa go with double spin attack. Starts his first over with two dot balls to Thirimanne. He gets off the strike with a single to long off. A dot ball to Sangakkara, followed by one more. FOUR, a slop sweep towards long leg boundary finishes the over.

South African bowler Dale Steyn (L) reacts after taking the wicket of Sri Lankan cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan during the 2015 Cricket World Cup quarter-final match.

Dale Steyn
[Getty]

Over 15: Sri Lanka 50 for 2: Kumar Sangakkara 6 (40), Lahiru Thirimanne 32 (34)

JP Duminy is the fourth bowler introduced into the attack. AB de Villiers brings spin. Starts with a dot ball to Thirimanne, followed by an easy single. A dot ball from Sangakkara is followed by a single to long on. Thirimanne takes a single off the last ball and finishes the over. SRI Lanka's 50.

Over 14: Sri Lanka 47 for 2: Kumar Sangakkara 5 (38), Lahiru Thirimanne 30 (30)

Abbott starts his new over with a dot ball to Thirimanne. He then flicks it to deep midwicket and a good throw forces Sri Lanka to settle for a single. Sangakkara is clearly struggling in the middle as he continues with more dot balls. Three in the over so far and finishes the over with a dot ball.

Over 13: Sri Lanka 46 for 2: Kumar Sangakkara 5 (34), Lahiru Thirimanne 29 (28)

Morkel continues to Sangakkara and starts the new over with two dot balls. FOUR, excessive bounce from Steyn goes above De Kock's head and runs to the boundary. 4 byes. Two more dot balls is followed by one more dot ball to complete the over.

Over 12: Sri Lanka 42 for 2: Kumar Sangakkara 5 (28), Lahiru Thirimanne 29 (28)

Abbott is brought back into the attack and Thirimanne smashes it to cover. A beautiful piece of the fielding helps South Africa stop a boundary. A dot ball is followed by a single to third man from Thirimanne.

Sangakkara places it past mid off and Steyn had to chase the ball and a good fielding helps Steyn save a run for his side. Thirimanne finishes the over with a dot ball.

Over 11: Sri Lanka 38 for 2: Kumar Sangakkara 2 (27), Lahiru Thirimanne 28 (23)

Morkel in his third over and has only one slip in place. Starts with a dot ball to Sangakkara. A wide on the leg side and De Kock could not get his hands on it. He saves a boundary for his side, but they take a run in the process.

A dot ball from Thirimanne is followed by a single. Two more dot balls from Sangakkara to finish the over.

End of mandatory Powerplay. Sri Lanka 35/2 after 10 overs.

Over 10: Sri Lanka 35 for 2: Kumar Sangakkara 2 (23), Lahiru Thirimanne 27 (21)

Last over of the mandatory Powerplay and Steyn is in his fifth over to Thirimanne. Starts with a dot ball. He then puts it away towards midwicket and gets a double. A good running between the wickets could have helped him take three runs, but settles for a couple.

FOUR, Thirimanne clears the fielder at mid off and sends the ball to the extra cover bondary. He is changing the game now as he is charging South African bowlers. Thirimanne takes an easy single and Sangakkara takes one more single to fine leg to finish the over.

Over 9: Sri Lanka 27 for 2: Kumar Sangakkara 1 (22), Lahiru Thirimanne 20 (16)

Morkel continues and starts his second over to Thirimanne. A short delivery takes a sudden bounce and it takes Thirimanne by a surprise. It is followed by a short pitch delivery and Thirimanne tries to loft it over third man, but misses it. Another short pitch delivery and he decides to leave it this time.

FOUR, Thirimanne beats the fielder at point as there was a real chance of a catch. It beats the fielder and the ball races to the boundary. FOUR, Thirimanne goes over the top of the fielder at cover and that's consecutive boundaries for him. A quick single to finish the over from Thirimanne and he retains the strike.

Over 8: Sri Lanka 18 for 2: Kumar Sangakkara 1 (22), Lahiru Thirimanne 11 (10)

Steyn comes back into the attack as he switches the ends. He replaces Abbott. Starts with an in-swinger to Sangakkara and no run taken. It is followed by two more dot balls. Sangakkara is struggling in the middle.

Two more dot balls and no run off the first five deliveries. Steyn finishes the over with a short delivery to Sangakkara and he gives it straight to mid off. No run taken and that is Steyn's second maiden over.

Over 7: Sri Lanka 18 for 2: Kumar Sangakkara 1 (16), Lahiru Thirimanne 11 (10)

First change in the bowling attack. Morne Morkel replaces Dale Steyn and starts with a short pitch delivery. Sangakkara decides to leave it and goes the same for the next delivery, which did not bounce as expected. Good carry from De Kock as Sangakkara leaves the third ball too.

Another quick one and it goes past Sangakkara. He is yet to make contact with the ball off the four deliveries he has faced so far in this over. Sangakkara flicks it to fine leg as Morkel bowls it on the leg stump. He gets off the mark with a single. There is a huge cheer from the crowd.

Morkel goes round the wicket for Thirimanne and has two slips in place. A short pitch delivery and umpire calls it a no ball. It was a front-foot no ball, resulting in a free hit. FREE HIT, No run taken of the free hit and that is the end of the over.

Over 6: Sri Lanka 16 for 2: Kumar Sangakkara 0 (11), Lahiru Thirimanne 11 (8)

Abbott to continue his third over. He has been very good with the ball so far. After a dot ball, he pitches it on leg stump and Thirimanne flicks it to square leg and gets a double. FOUR, Thirimanne finds the gap between cover and point. It comes off the middle of the bat and he leans to place it well for a boundary. First for Sri Lanka.

FOUR, A brilliant stroke from Thirimanne and this time it is through extra cover boundary. 10 runs from the over.

Over 5: Sri Lanka 6 for 2: Kumar Sangakkara 0 (11), Lahiru Thirimanne 1 (2)

Steyn in his third over and he starts to Dilshan. No change in the field setting. OUT, A quicker delivery hits from Steyn takes a quick edge and goes to second slip and ends in a simple catch to Faf du Plessis.

Lahiru Thirimanne replaces Dilshan in the middle. After a dot ball, he gets off the mark with a single to third man. Sangakkara is yet to get off the mark. He continues with two dot balls, followed by a wide on the leg side. Steyn has to bowl one more additional ball.

Steyn is complaining about something in the middle. One more dot ball to finish the over.

WICKET...!!! Tillakaratne Dilshan 0 (7) c Faf du Plessis b Steyn

Over 4: Sri Lanka 4 for 1: Kumar Sangakkara 0 (8), Tillakaratne Dilshan 0 (6)

Abbott continues and it zips it past Sangakkara. The stitches on one of the balls had come out and the umpire calls for a change of the ball. Thought he would take a scissor and remove the stitch protruding out and so did the commentators think like me.

Abbott gets a huge swing and it goes past the leg side for the first wide. The next ball hits Sangakkara's pads and South African players appeal. Umpire Nigel Long seems not interested as he turns down the appeal. No meeting in the middle, which means South Africa are not going to review.

The replay suggests the ball had pitched on the line, but height was the factor. A very good decision by the umpire. Sangakkara finishes the over with a dot ball.

Over 3: Sri Lanka 3 for 1: Kumar Sangakkara 0 (2), Tillakaratne Dilshan 0 (6)

Steyn continues his second over. Dilshan takes strike for the first time in this match as he starts with two dot balls. He has also two slips in place and also a silly mid off. No run so far off this over from the first five deliveries. One more dot ball to finish the over. Consecutive maiden of the match.

Over 2: Sri Lanka 3 for 1: Kumar Sangakkara 0 (2), Tillakaratne Dilshan 0 (0)

Perera retains the strike with a single off the last ball of the previous over. Kyle Abbott partners Dale Steyn in leading South Africa's bowling division. He bowls it on the middle stump and Perera taps it to silly mid off. He wanted a quick single, but Dilshan looks not interested.

It is followed by swing and a miss for the next two deliveries. OUT, Abbott pitches it just outside off stump and it takes a thick edge of Kusal Perera's bat and goes towards first slip. Keeper De Kock jumps on his left and takes a brilliant catch. An early breakthrough for South Africa.

Kumar Sangakkara replaces Kusal Perera in the second over. Starts with two dot balls. A wicket maiden for Abbott.

WICKET...!!! Kusal Perera 3 (10) c De Kock b Abbott

Over 1: Sri Lanka 3 for 0: Kusal Perera 3 (6), Tillakaratne Dilshan 0 (0)

Kusal Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan will open Sri Lanka's batting line up. Kusal Perera replaces Lahiru Thirimanne at the top as the latter is dropped down the order. Dale Steyn has been handed the new ball. He has two slips in place.

Perera faces Steyn and leaves the first ball. A cover drive off the next ball and it goes straight to the fielder at cover. The third ball was a quicker, swing and a miss. Edge and the ball goes over the second slip fielder's head and a good piece of fielding from Imran Tahir at third man results in a double. Perera and Sri Lanka are off the mark.

Off the edge and the ball races to third man for a single. 3 runs from the over.

Here we go...!!!

Take a look at today's pitch

Two teams make their way onto the field for the National Anthem. Wonderful atmosphere at SCG for the big quarter final.

Faf du Plessis comes in for Farhaan Behardien. Kyle Abbott replaces Vernon Philander.

No Rangana Herath for quarter final clash against South Africa. He is replaced by "Mystery spinner" Tharindu Kaushal.

South Africa have never won a match in the knockout fixture in the World Cup so far.

TEAM NEWS

Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (WK), Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews (C), Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Tharindu Kaushal, Dushmantha Chameera, Lasith Malinga

South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (WK), Faf du Plessis, Rilee Rossouw, AB de Villiers (C), David Miller, JP Duminy, Kyle Abbott, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir

That's confidence

Angelo Mathews

It's a big quarter-final and we want to put the runs on the board," he says. "Looks really good, looks nice and hard [the pitch]. Rangana is not fit, Tharindu Kaushal has been drfted in, he's a duplicate Murali.

Mystery spinner. Not really, have to start fresh, new game, new opposition, will need to play good cricket. Beautiful stadium, hope people will turn up and support us.

TOSS...!!! Sri Lanka won the toss and Angelo Mathews elected to bat first

AB de Villiers

"All I can say is we're not going to choke. We're just going to play a good game of cricket tomorrow and come out on top. Simple."

Every corner of the @SCG is ready for Sri Lanka v South Africa.

South Africa players have already arrived at SCG. Take a look

We will have TOSS is less than 10 minutes.

South Africa have very good memories of their last fixture at SCG, which came against West Indies. AB de Villiers' 162 off 62 balls helped the Proteas post a mammoth total of 408 runs. West Indies were all out for 151 runs.

The last time Sri Lanka played at SCG saw them suffer a 64 runs defeat at the hands of Australia. Australia posted a total of 376 and in reply, Sri Lanka made 312 runs.

Despite scoring 300 plus, Sri Lanka ended up on a losing side.

Kumar Sangakkara is the leading the runs chart for the 2015 ICC World Cup. After scoring 4 consecutive centuries, he has scored 496 runs. Sri Lankan opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan is 101 runs behind him in fourth place.

South Africa captain AB de Villiers is third in the table with 417 runs.

Kumar Sangakkara became the first player to score four consecutive centuries in ODI's and he is on the course to make it 5 in a row in the quarter final against South Africa.

Stats

Morne Morkel is South Africa's leading wicket taker in the World Cup with 13 wickets. Spinner Imran Tahir is two short in second place.

No surprise when it comes to Sri Lanka as Lasith Malinga leads his side with most wickets in the World Cup with 11 wickets. Lakmal is second with 7 wickets.

Sri Lanka finishes third in Group A with 8 points from 6 matches.

South Africa also ended with 8 points from 6 matches, but finished second in Group B.

Angelo Mathews

"We all know that de Villiers is a destructive player and Steyn is a very good bowler, so we have plans against them. We look to execute them well, and if we execute them well, we can tie them down and be attacking."

Angelo Mathews on Rangana Herath

"He's still 50-50. He hasn't had a bowl yet, so we gave him a couple of more days from two days before. But the physio has to have a look at him once again today. If he bowls at practice today he'll be in contention for selection. If not, he won't be playing."

Sri Lankan players warm up during a training session at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday ahead of the 2015 Cricket World Cup quarter-final match against South Africa.

Sri Lanka
[Getty]

The clash between Sri Lanka and South Africa is the first quarter final of the 2015 ICC World Cup.

Good morning and welcome to IBTimes UK's LIVE coverage of the first quarter final clash between Sri Lanka and South Africa from the ICC World Cup 2015. We are scheduled to get started at 2:30am GMT.