New Zealand rout South Africa, set up Champions Trophy title clash with India
LAHORE: Another clutch century by David Miller and half-centuries by skipper Temba Bavuma and Rassie Van Der Dussen went in vain as South Africa continued to add to the list of heartbreaks, succumbing by 50 runs to New Zealand in the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy at Lahore on Wednesday.
After a semifinal loss in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, and a seven-run loss to India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 finals among many other knockout stage losses in the past, the list continues to pile on for Proteas. Yet again, it was Miller, who delivered a warrior-like knock only to end on the wrong side of the result.
During the run chase of 363, Ryan Rickelton started with some boundaries against Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson, with skipper Temba Bavuma watching the show from the non-striker's end. However, his eagerness to drive cost him his wicket as the ball landed into the hands of Michael Bracewell at covers region, with Henry getting him for 17 in 12 balls. South Africa was 20/1 in 4.5 overs.
From then on, Bavuma was joined by Rassie Van Der Dussen and both started collecting boundaries against Jamieson and Henry, with a pullover backward square leg for six by Bavuma helping Proteas reach the 50-run mark in 9.2 overs. The fifty-run stand came up in just 40 balls.
A free-flowing drive by Bavuma against Bracewell helped Proteas reach the 100-run mark in 17.2 overs.
Bavuma's seventh ODI fifty came in 64 balls, with four boundaries and a six while Dussen reached the milestone for 17th time in ODIs with three fours and a six.
In the 23rd over, skipper Mitchell Santner delivered a game-changing moment as a thick edge off Bavuma's bat was caught by Kane Williamson at backward point, removing him for 56 in 71 balls, with four boundaries and a six. The 105-run stand was over, with SA at 125/2 in 22.2 overs.
In the 26th over, Dussen and Aiden Markram relieved some pressure by hitting Will O'Rourke for three fours, looting 14 runs. One hundred and fifty runs came in 25.3 overs.
However, the partnership lasted for just 36 runs as Santner cleaned up a set Dussen for 69 in 66 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes. The score was 161/3 in 26.5 overs.
Spinners then squeezed the Kiwis' run rate from then on, with Santner getting his third wicket, a big scalp of Heinrich Klaasen for just three. However, the catch injured Henry on his shoulder. Markram was caught and bowled by Rachin Ravindra for 31 in 29 balls, with three fours and Wiaan Mulder was picked up by Bracewell for eight. SA was 200/6 in 36 overs, a long way from the target.
Glenn Phillips also joined the party, pocketing the wickets of Marco Jansen (3) and Keshav Maharaj, causing SA to sink to 218/8 in 39.3 overs.
David Miller and Kagiso Rabada tried to delay the inevitable, with Rabada cleaned up by Matt Henry for 16 in 22 balls, after Henry returned to the field. SA was 256/9 in 45.3 overs.
Miller reached his half-century in 46 balls, with three fours and two sixes. Though he kept slogging fours and sixes, the net-run-rate was simply out of reach. He did complete his century on the final ball, but the team fell short by 50 runs. Miller ended unbeaten at 100* in 67 balls, with 10 fours and four sixes.
Santner (3/43) was the pick of the bowlers for the Kiwis, delivering a game-changing spell. Henry and Phillips picked up two wickets while Ravindra and Bracewell got one.
Coming to the match, NZ won the toss and opted to bat first. After losing Will Young (21 in 23 balls, with three fours) following a 48-run stand, Rachin and Kane Williamson (102 in 94 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes) had a 164-run stand, which helped Kiwis cross the 200-run mark in 32 overs.
Even other batters pummeled Proteas bowlers, with Daryl Mitchell (49 in 37 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Glenn Phillips (49* in 27 balls, with six fours) delivering fiery knocks.
Mitchell and Glenn had a 57-run stand for the fifth wicket, pushing NZ to the 300-run mark in 45.3 overs.
NZ made 362/6 in their 50 overs.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
4 days ago
- Times of Oman
"We're right behind Temba and the team": Graeme Smith backs South Africa to trounce Australia in WTC final
New Delhi: Former Proteas captain Graeme Smith is "right behind" the South African team, which is set to embark on an "important mission" of ending its elongated trophy drought in the World Test Championship against the defending champions, Australia, on Wednesday at the iconic Lord's. South Africa, which has been close to winning a coveted ICC title several times, will have one more shot at ending its wait. Australia, the number one Test team, has been deemed the favourites for the high-stakes final. Despite the odds stacked against the Proteas, Smith has urged everyone to be behind captain Temba Bavuma and his troops as they attempt to pull off a heist and rob the Baggy Greens of the opportunity to return home with the WTC mace. "We're right behind Temba and the team. As the last man that held the mace at Lord's in 2012, it would give me great pleasure to see Temba and this group of players lift it. All South Africans should unite and support the team on this important mission," League Commissioner Graeme Smith said in a video posted by the league on YouTube. Lord's holds a special place in Smith's career. He led the Proteas to the number one Test ranking after a memorable match against England at Lord's back in 2012. It was a pulsating duel that went down to the wire, and the contest was settled with a 51-run triumph for South Africa in the final hour of Day Five. "Lord's is a special, special place. Right from when I watched South African teams play there as a youngster, there were always positive memories. There's so much that comes with it and getting that out the way as you build into playing your games there is important. There's nothing like walking down the stairs through those Member stands and out to a packed Lord's," he said. "It's an incredible feeling, one of those goosebump moments in your career. It's something that I really cherish. For me personally, in 2003, going there, getting a double hundred, winning the Test match, and Makhaya getting 10 wickets is the most incredible first experience of Lord's," he recalled.
Times of Oman
15-04-2025
- Times of Oman
Shreyas Iyer secures ICC Men's Player of the Month Award for March 2025
New Delhi : Indian batter Shreyas Iyer achieved the accolade of the ICC Men's Player of the Month Award for March 2025, surpassing competitors Jacob Duffy and Rachin Ravindra from New Zealand, as per a report from ICC. Iyer emerged as the top run-scorer for India with 243 runs, contributing significantly to India's success in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai and Pakistan. Iyer's receipt of this award signified that India has claimed it consecutively, with Shubman Gill winning the accolade for February. Iyer played an integral part in India's 2025 Champions Trophy journey, serving an important function in the middle-order. His exceptional stroke-play helped India navigate the middle overs, and his ability to stabilize the innings while establishing important partnerships was crucial in leading his team to a triumphant campaign. Iyer expressed his gratitude and honour for being named the ICC Men's Player of the Month for March. He highlighted the significance of the award, especially in a month when India won the ICC Champions Trophy. He credited his teammates, coaches, and support staff for their contributions to his success. "I'm truly honoured to be named the ICC Men's Player of the Month for March. This recognition is incredibly special, especially in a month where we lifted the ICC Champions Trophy -- a moment I will cherish forever. Being able to contribute to India's success on such a big stage is something every cricketer dreams of. I'm grateful to my teammates, coaches, and support staff for their unwavering support and belief," Shreyas Iyer said as per ICC. The 30-year-old amassed 172 runs in three matches during March, maintaining an average of 57. 33, with a moderate strike rate of 77. 47, which featured some impressive innings. Iyer was the second-highest run-scorer of the Champions Trophy 2025, only 20 runs behind Rachin Ravindra.
Times of Oman
05-04-2025
- Times of Oman
New Zealand sweep series against Pakistan as Sears, Bracewell set up 43-run triumph in 3rd ODI
Mount Maunganui: Ben Sears's second five-wicket haul on the trot inspired New Zealand to whitewash Pakistan with a 3-0 ODI series triumph, following their 43-run success in the third and final clash of the series at Bay Oval on Saturday. In a 42-over-reduced game due to a wet outfield, Pakistan's pursuit of a 265-run target began with Imam-ul-Haq retiring hurt after taking a bouncer from William O'Rourke on his helmet. He instantly removed his helmet, holding his jaw. After a brief halt, he was eventually taken off the field, and Pakistan's premier batter, Babar Azam, arrived at the crease to carry the fight for his side. A 69-run partnership brewed between Babar and Abdullah Shafique as the duo flaunted their textbook strokeplay. Babar danced around the track to dispatch Michael Bracewell's flighted delivery past the boundary rope for a maximum. Sears, who effectively used the short ball ploy, broke the threatening partnership. Shafique (33) swivelled his hook without any timing straight down to Jacob Duffy. The floodgates opened, and Pakistan started losing scalps at regular intervals. Babar's 50 kept Pakistan's hopes high, but Daryl Mitchell set him up perfectly to scythe his scalp. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan (37) and Tayyab Tahir (33) resisted but gave away their wickets to Duffy. Sears cleaned up the middle and tail-end to force Pakistan to pack on 221, surrendering to a 43-run defeat. In a truncated ODI encounter, New Zealand tested their depth to blaze their way to a competitive 264/8 on the board. After being put to bat by Pakistan, Nick Kelly was the first to fall. Naseem Shah's delivery stopped and took a bit more flight than Kelly (3) would have anticipated. He went through his shot and sent the ball straight to Abdullah Shafique. Rhys Mariu, who made his debut in the second ODI, upped the ante and provided a sound start to the Kiwis despite the early setback. He forged a 78-run partnership with Henry Nicholls to drag the game away from Pakistan. With Pakistan on the cusp of conceding a 300-plus total, despite being a 42-over contest, Akif Javed forced the breakthrough against the run of play. Nicholls (32) holed out after giving away a top edge to Mohammad Wasim. Rhys (58), who had notched up his maiden fifty moments before Nicholls' dismissal for the Blackcaps in the ODIs, jumped on the bandwagon and returned to the dressing room after being pinned in front of the stumps by Sufiyan Muqeem. Daryl Mitchell (43) and Tim Seifert (26) kept the scoreboard ticking with their swift attacking displays. New Zealand's captain, Michael Bracewell, took the brunt on his shoulders and counterattacked with a fiery 59 from 40 deliveries to power the hosts to a 264/8.
