ISLAMABAD: After filing a huge target of 357 with the help of the two brilliant hundreds by Quinton de Kock and Van der Dussen, South African bowlers outclassed New Zealand batting and won the match by a huge margin of 190 runs in the ongoing ICC World Cup contest played at Pune, India on Wednesday.
The defeat of New Zealand by a huge margin also created hope for Pakistan as after this match, the net run-rate (NNR) of Kiwis would be damaged to a great extent. Cricket Experts are predicting Pakistan or New Zealand to be the fourth possible semi-finalist. However, New Zealand has a far better run rate before today’s match.
Meanwhile, chasing a huge target of 358 to win, Kiwis’ batters became under pressure from the very start and lost their first wicket on 8 when Jansen dismissed Convey on two runs. On the 9th over when the score reached 45 Jansen strike again and got the wicket of Ravindra who scored just 9 runs.
Will Young showed some resistance; however, in the 11th over, he was removed by Coetzee on 33. After Young, New Zealand’s batting line crumbled, and no one was able to stay for long on the crease except Philips, who managed to protect one hand for some time. In the 16th over, Rabada got the wicket of the skipper Tom Latham, who added just four runs to the total. The next was Daryl Mitchel, who scored 24 runs on 30 balls. At the stage, New Zealand were 90 for 5 in 18.3 overs, still far away from the huge target.
In the 23rd over, the Black Caps lost their 6th wicket when Santner was bowled out by Maharaj on 7. In a couple of overs later, Tim Southee was also dismissed on 7. New Zealand lost the 8th wicket on 110 in the 27th over when Maharaj bowled out Neesham on a duck. That was the 3rd wicket of Maharaj in the innings. After losing 8 wickets, Glenn Phillips accelerated his inning to bring the run gap down for a better run rate in the coming games.
However, in the 31st over, Maharaj struck again and removed Trent Boult on 9. On the last wicket stand, Phillips added some quick runs for the side. He also completed his half-century and became the top scorer (60)for his side. The last dismissal occurred when Phillips was dismissed by Coetzee. New Zealand were all out on 167 in 35.3 overs and lost the match by a huge margin of 190 runs.
From New Zealand, Maharaj was the most successful bowler while taking four wickets in his 9-over spill. Marco Jansen also grabbed 3. Coetzee took two, while Rabada got one wicket.
South Africa Batting Against New Zealand
Earlier, after winning the toss, New Zealand decided to bowl first. South African openers de Kock and Bavuma took a cautious start without taking too much risk in the first six overs. However, after taking pace, the Proteas lost their first wicket in the 9th over on 38 when the skipper Bavuma was dismissed on 24. Bavuma was replaced by the number third batter, Van der Dussen, who along with the in-form de Kock, not only saved the wicket but accelerated the run-rate as well.
Both completed their half-centuries and proceeded further. They didn’t allow Kiwis’ bowlers to take wickets. Although Kiwis bowlers created some catching chances but the fielders from the Black Caps didn’t turn these into dismissals. Later, they managed to take the average above six runs per over.
Quinton de Kock also completed his hundred, which was his fourth ton in the mega event, to maintain as a top scorer of the tournament. Finally, in the 40th over, Kiwis took a sigh of relief to get rid of de Kock on 114. His innings included three sixes and 10 boundaries. At the stage, South Africa were 238 for 2. De Kock was replaced by Miller. On the other hand, Dussen continued his terrific inning and completed his superb hundred. After completing his 100, he, along with Miller, pushed the scoreboard past the 300 mark with a high run rate.
In the 48th over, Tim Southee managed to get rid of Dussen via a slower delivery on 133. However, till then Dussen had played his innings. His 130 runs included five sixes and 9 boundaries. At the stage, South Africa were 316 for 3 in 47.1 overs with Miller and Klaasen on the crease. In the last five over, Miller contributed a firing inning of 53 on 30 balls supported by 15 runs from Klassen. South Africa managed to score 357 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in 50 overs.
From New Zealand, Tim Southee was the leading wicket-taker with 2 for 77 in his 10-over spill. Trent Boult and Neasham got one wicket each.
New Zealand Team
Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c)†, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee and Trent Boult
South Africa Team
Quinton de Kock †, c Phillips b Southee, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi
